What Makes Middle School at Intermountain Christian School Special

Middle school isn’t just a bridge between elementary school and high school. At Intermountain Christian School, our middle school program is thoughtfully designed to equip and inspire your child with the foundational tools they need to thrive in high school and beyond.

Your student will benefit from a middle school setting purposefully designed to support them during a key transition from elementary to high school. Smaller class sizes allow for stronger connections as students work through traditional core courses and opportunities to explore electives. As a parent, take comfort knowing we closely monitor academic progress, so students don’t fall through the cracks. Teachers are eager to offer extra help to students during community time and after school. Your student will find social opportunities throughout the day and through extracurricular activities and events. We focus on spiritual development through chapel services and teacher-led small group gatherings.

Quality & Consistent Academic Experience

We employ a variety of teaching techniques to allow students to learn in diverse ways, including hands-on practice, group discussion, presentations, and traditional pen-and-paper activities. Our students receive close guidance from teachers as they are challenged to solve problems academically and socially in preparation for high school and beyond. Middle school at ICS deepens students’ learning and builds their confidence. At this critical time, academic standards do not falter in quality or rigor. Our academic program combines strong instruction and intentional support, where students develop organization, study habits, critical thinking, and confidence, and classes are taught at an honors level. Our programs are designed to keep students academically on track (or even allow acceleration) heading into high school.

Moral Guidance During Adolescence

In a student’s life, middle school is a pivotal time. Where values, relationships, and a positive school culture become more important than ever before. Many families choose ICS so that the moral and spiritual guidance parents provide at home is reinforced by what they’re learning at school. Christian middle schools, building on biblical curricula, keep teens grounded in biblical principles during these formative years.

Safe Social Environment & A Focus On Well-Being

At ICS, the safety and well-being of our students is a top priority. We provide a smaller, community-oriented school culture, where teachers and administrators can closely monitor behavior. We are intentional in integrating Christian character, moral guidance, and positive role models into our students’ experience at ICS. We do this through regular small groups, chapels, consistent discipline, and caring teachers and staff. Even the athletic coaches we hire are vetted strongly for Christian character to be a key requirement. We strive to cultivate a safe environment with a respectful peer group and supportive teachers, critical things for helping 6th–8th graders navigate middle school.

Personalized Attention & Discipline

The structure and support of a smaller learning environment make a world of difference for middle schoolers. Our teachers are responsive, discipline is consistent, and it is received by students due to greater relational equity with their teachers. This firm but loving environment helps students stay focused, learn effectively, make friends, and feel known at school. ICS reports that teachers know their students personally, keep them accountable, and communicate more readily with families.

A Break From The Phone

At ICS, our middle school cell phone policy is designed to protect a healthy learning culture by removing one of the biggest daily distractions from the school day. By having students turn in phones upon arrival and placing other smart devices in airplane mode, we create more space for attentive learning, meaningful classroom participation, and face-to-face connection with teachers and peers.

For parents, that means students spend more of the day engaged in class, building real friendships, and practicing the habits of focus and self-control that are especially important in middle school. That approach is supported by research showing that school cellphone bans can improve student outcomes over time, including improved academic results and overall well-being.

The ICS Middle School Experience

Building Relationships

Middle school is an especially important time for students to form friendships and gain confidence in their identity. At ICS, students quickly find connection through a welcoming Christian community, caring teachers, and varied opportunities to get involved. Whether in the classroom, on athletic teams, in fine arts, or through everyday moments in the hallways, students are known, included, and encouraged to build positive friendships that help them thrive.

Student Life and Memorable Experiences

Students and leaders connect, grow, play, and, moreover, are reminded of the beauty of God’s creation in Southern Utah and beyond. Before our middle schoolers transition to high school, teachers and leaders take the 8th graders on a highly-anticipated camping trip to Moab. Students receive the chance to explore the winding pathways of nearby slot canyons, hike along the majestic red rocks, raft the nearby rivers, camp among the towering rock formations, and more!

Families looking for a Christian middle school with meaningful student life will find experiences that build friendship, confidence, and lasting memories. From everyday moments on campus to special traditions like the Moab trip, students are invited to grow in community and enjoy the adventure of middle school.

Enriched Learning with Varied Electives

Your child will enjoy a wealth of enrichment experiences where they can explore areas of interest. Popular electives include Broadcasting, Choir, Dance, Physical Education, Art, Theater, and Culinary Arts.

Competitive Athletics

Our athletics program exists to create opportunities for student-athletes to glorify God through competitive excellence. The Lions field middle school teams in baseball, basketball, cross-country, soccer, volleyball, and golf.

Middle school athletes are coached in skill, teamwork, discipline, and Christlike character as they compete and grow alongside peers. Athletics gives students another meaningful place to belong, develop confidence, and represent ICS well.

High School Prep

Establishing a foundation for future success

Everything we do in middle school is designed to prepare students to step into high school with confidence, responsibility, and readiness. Our teachers intentionally build healthy relationships with each student and partner with parents to provide the guidance preteens need during these formative years.

By the time students complete middle school at ICS, they are developing stronger study habits, greater independence, clearer organization, and the ability to handle more responsibility in both academics and community life. We want students to move into high school not only ready for harder coursework, but also prepared to lead, contribute, and grow in wisdom.

Class Schedules

Middle schoolers are responsible for their academic achievement and behavior as they develop more independence. Students are provided time throughout the week to meet with teachers for additional support. Your teen can choose their own electives and level of coursework with guidance from teachers, counselors, and other key faculty.

Intentional Mentorship

An Intermountain Christian School education is about formation, not merely information. That is why we focus on the whole student and not just academics. Middle school students meet regularly in small groups with faculty advisors for valuable mentorship and discipleship.

Courses Available

Middle school students at ICS build a strong academic foundation while also having room to explore interests and develop new skills. This combination of core instruction and elective opportunities helps students grow in knowledge, confidence, and readiness for high school.

Core Classes

• Bible

• English

• Math or Algebra 1 in 8th grade

• Science

• Social Studies

• Physical Education

• Art

• Health

• Spanish

• Music

Electives

• Instrumental Music

• Choir

• Robotics

• Art

• Drama

• Creative Writing

• Physical Education

• Middle School Leadership Team (MSLT)

• Dance

• Study Skills

• Math Intervention

• Culinary Arts

Families exploring a Christian middle school with strong academics and meaningful electives can see how ICS helps students build core knowledge, grow in confidence, and prepare well for the next stage of learning.

Learning Environment

Middle school at ICS offers a smaller, relationship-rich setting where students are known by name and supported as they grow in independence. With an average class size of 24 and three core teachers plus elective teachers, students benefit from consistent guidance, strong accountability, and meaningful connection throughout the school day.

• Average class size: 24

• Teachers: 3 core teachers plus electives

The Middle School Hallway

Tucked away in our upstairs hallway, the middle schoolers have their own world, with lockers, a unique schedule, and a huddle of teachers they bounce between as the day goes on.

This dedicated space helps students begin navigating greater independence while still being closely supported by teachers who know them well. It creates a middle school environment that feels both age-appropriate and relationally connected.

Tucked away in our upstairs hallway, the middle schoolers have their own world, with lockers, a unique schedule, and a huddle of teachers they bounce between as the day goes on.

This dedicated space helps students begin navigating greater independence while still being closely supported by teachers who know them well. It creates a middle school environment that feels both age-appropriate and relationally connected.

A wonderful place to learn

The best way to experience middle school at ICS is to visit during a school day. You can see classrooms in action, meet teachers, and get a feel for the kind of Christ-centered community where students are known, challenged, and encouraged.

Schedule a tour to see whether middle school at Intermountain Christian School is the right fit for your family.