DISCOVER SHILOH MIDDLE SCHOOL  

Over 400 students are enrolled in middle school, including students in fifth through seventh grade. Middle School aims to help students transition from elementary to secondary school spiritually, academically, socially, emotionally, and physically.  

WHAT MAKES MIDDLE SCHOOL UNIQUE?  

We look at middle school serving as a bridge between elementary & secondary. On one side of the bridge is elementary, a sweet, formative, and communal time where many of life’s first milestones are achieved. Awe and wonderment advance at the speed of light at this precious age. On the other side of the bridge is the high school. Transcripts, relationships, college decisions, athletics, scholarships, driving, and the reality of increased independence all shape this important phase of life. In middle school, we bridge the gap between the two and seek to do it in a way that is solely focused on these awkward, confusing, highly emotional, and yet sacred years of life. We strive to take the little boy or girl and help shepherd them to become more of the young man or woman God desires for them to be. Middle school meets the rapidly changing physiological, emotional,  and psychological needs of these students with teachers and mentors who will love and equip them to move from childhood to young adulthood.  

CONNECTION  

Connections are a big part of the middle school years as students are seeking to find the proper friendships with their classmates. We use a multitude of opportunities to help create connections and build lasting memories. Middle school has the House System that brings students from each grade together for friendly competitions, community service projects, increased leadership opportunities, and mentorship moments for our older students. Athletics also begin to take shape as youth sports prepare the athlete for seventh grade, when our Shiloh coaching staff begins to take the lead. Athletes will train and work together more regularly, forming lifelong bonds to become champions with high character both on the field and off. The arts also begin to pour into our students in new and specialized ways, giving them high-level ways to lead and perform. Band, choir, and art allow students to work and perform alongside others in a way that builds confidence, unity, and teamwork. Our fifth graders connect by performing a musical, and our older students cross the bridge to join our high school students in the yearly Secondary Musical. We serve as a bridge to help students connect to each other and their God-given giftings during this formative and exciting season of life. 

VALUE  

Academically, we begin offering advanced classes to encourage growth and prepare students for the rigor of high school academics. Our teachers engage every student in a way that meets them where they are academically and adds value to their growth as lifelong learners. Socio-emotionally, every day we remind the students that they have infinite value in the eyes of their Creator. Many hard questions  begin to be asked during this age, such as “Am I enough?” “Do I have what it takes?” “Does anyone truly see me?” “Is my faith real?” As we look to Scripture, we can see how God has placed his indelible imprint of immense value upon each child. Our middle school works on a unique schedule where students have spaces to ask these questions, seek mentorship, and be seen as valuable each day. We serve as a bridge to reassure our students of their value to God, each other, their family, and the world they are about to engage.  

DISCIPLESHIP 

Discipleship comes from many different areas within middle school. Our weekly chapel serves as a chance to hear a Biblically sound message from  God’s word that is uniquely applicable to their stage of life. They will experience musical worship in a way that empowers student leaders and points them to Christ authentically. Daily Bible classes begin in sixth grade and will carry students through each testament fully before sending them across the bridge to high school for more in-depth theological study. Students serve their community together and continue to learn about Jesus’ mandate to make disciples of all nations. While every child is on their own journey with the Lord, our prayer is that as each student crosses our bridge to high school, they are growing into a mature follower of Christ. Discipleship does not end with the student, as we also seek to equip parents as well. It can be a challenging bridge for parents to cross as they see some of their influence slowly decreasing, and their child becomes more independent. We have a heart to encourage and equip parents to lean into the God-given role of primary disciple-maker in their child’s life. Discipleship is a joy and truly valued in Shiloh Christian’s Middle School. 

GET INVOLVED IN MIDDLE SCHOOL

Robotics

Robotics is a class offered to students beginning in 6th grade. Students learn the fundamentals necessary to build their first robot including JAVA programming language, CAD (Computer Aided Design), and how to design and construct a robot for robotics competitions held around the state. Contact Brant Breeding at brantb@shilohsaints.org for questions regarding robotics.

Musical Theater

The 5th grade participates in weekly music classes and produces the yearly 5th grade musical featuring four live shows each winter. The Secondary Musical is available each year to 7th-12th grade students.  Cast members have the opportunity to learn musical theory and rhythm, build confidence, learn to read music, work hard as a team, develop memorization skills, and master stage presence, acting and singing. Contact Kim Darr at kdarr@shilohsaints.org for questions regarding musical theater. 

Art 

Art is a class offered to students beginning in 5th grade that encourages students’ creativity, develops an understanding of art history and expands their definition of art.  A variety of mediums are explored, including clay, charcoal, acrylic, watercolor and many more. All classes will participate in a yearly SCS art show. Contact Hannah Gaston at hannahg@shilohsaints.org for questions regarding middle school art.  

Choir

Choir is a class offered to students beginning in 6th grade that is geared toward developing each student’s vocal music ability. Students will be trained in proper breathing, ear training, and sight-reading skills to enhance their individual and corporate singing skills. All students will be required to participate in all group choral events. 7th graders will also compete in All-Region choir auditions each fall.  Contact Chris Emert at chrise@shilohsaints.org for questions regarding middle school choir.

Band

Band is a class offered to students beginning in 6th grade that promotes both teamwork and individual excellence through large and small group practice, music theory, music listening, games and interactive activities. The two middle school band courses offered to students are Beginning Band and Junior High Band. These courses build on each other and allow students to gain further experience on an instrument. Contact Stephen Hunt at stephenh@shilohsaints.org for questions regarding middle school band.

Yearbook

Yearbook is a class offered to students beginning in 7th grade that centers on the design and completion of the middle school pages represented in the secondary yearbook. Students learn how to create and design pages and take pictures for the yearbook.  Contact Hannah Gaston at hannahg@shilohsaints.org for questions regarding middle school yearbook. 

4H

Shiloh 4H is a club offered to students beginning in 5th grade. Members learn essential life skills and engage in activities like leadership development, business planning, goal setting, public speaking showmanship, and understanding parliamentary procedure. Monthly meetings are held at the school in the evenings. Contact Dru Samuelson at drus@shilohsaints.org for questions regarding 4H. 

ATHLETICS

Shiloh Athletics seek to develop champions spiritually, academically, socially and athletically. Youth sports are available for 5th and 6th grade then fall under Arkansas Activities Association (AAA) in 7th grade. Contact Tucker Barnard at tuckerb@shilohsaints.org for questions regarding athletics.

GIRLS:

• Basketball (Youth/7th Grade)
• Volleyball (Youth/7th Grade)
• Cheer (Youth/7th Grade)
• Wrestling (Youth)
• Track (7th Grade)
• Cross Country (7th Grade)

BOYS:

• Football (Youth/7th Grade)
• Basketball (Youth/7th Grade)
• Wrestling (Youth)
• Track (7th Grade)
• Cross Country (7th Grade)