Middle School

Tandem Friends Middle School: Where Young Students Become Enthusiastic Learners

Tandem Friends inspires Middle School students to become confident, independent learners and leaders who develop a lifelong love of and enthusiasm for knowledge.

Tandem’s Middle School program is designed to support and challenge students at a pivotal time in their development. We leverage students’ innate curiosity by emphasizing the process of discovery in each discipline. The Middle School offers a holistic, cross-departmental approach to education in an environment that encourages and nurtures students as they explore their interests and identities.

Middle School students take 7 subjects: English, social studies/history, math, science, world language (Latin or Spanish), PE/Health, and a rotation of arts electives (visual arts, drama, music).

Our Middle School curriculum:

Builds conceptual understanding of critical academic concepts rather than teaching students to merely plug variables into a formula
Develops foundational academic skills that will serve students throughout their academic career
Connects curriculum to the real-world to enhance relevance for students
Establishes a safe environment for students to make mistakes and view setbacks as a step in the learning process rather than as a failure
Values the process of learning over the product (e.g. a “good grade” on an evaluation or assessment)
Supports the development of agency and personal accountability
Balances appropriate and healthy technology instruction and use with hands-on work, discussion, and collaboration

Tandem students are well prepared to engage with the rigor of high school courses as well as the world beyond with curiosity, confidence, and purpose.

Meet our Middle School Director

- Middle School Director, Tandem Friends Current Parent

Paul Cronin became Middle School Director at Tandem Friends in July of 2023 after almost ten years in school leadership at Headwaters School in Austin, Texas. Prior to that, Paul worked in independent schools, including Montessori schools and International Baccalaureate schools, both inside and outside the U.S.

Paul has a BA in English and Religion from George Washington University and an MA in Religion from University of Colorado.

If you have questions about the Tandem Friends Middle School, please contact Paul by email or by phone at (434) 951-9220.