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  • Home
  • About Us
    • Mission & Philosophy
    • Faculty & Staff
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Testimonials
    • Map & Directions
    • Alumni
    • Friends Council on Education
  • Admissions
    • Planning a Visit
    • Request Information
    • Applying to RFS
    • Financial Aid
    • Tuition Information
  • Academics
    • Pre-K & Kindergarten
    • First & Second Grades
    • Third & Fourth Grades
    • Fifth & Sixth Grades
    • Seventh & Eighth Grades
    • Extended Care Program
    • RFS Parent Guardian Handbook
    • Academic Calendar
    • Music, Art & Spanish
  • Support RFS
    • Donate Online Now
    • Other Ways to Help
    • Planned Giving Options
    • READATHON
  • Trueblood Preschool
    • Planning A Visit – Trueblood
    • Request Information
    • Map & Directions – Trueblood
    • Tuition Information
    • Curriculum
  • Wellness

Seventh & Eighth Grades

Richmond Friends School was extremely pleased to introduce 7th and 8th grades to our academic offerings in 2016. This exciting classroom addition, guided by teachers Greg Guffey and Lizzie Labadie allows older students to take advantage of RFS’ tradition of high-quality experiential learning. Take a moment to learn about our approach to middle school, peek at their weekly schedule, or even learn about ways the students are evaluated. If you feel that this environment would be beneficial for your child, please contact Becky Dimick Eastman, Head of School, at 765-966-5767 or headofschool@richmondfriendsschool.org.

Sample Student Evaluation

7th and 8th Grade Supply List 2024-2025

Meet the teachers:

Greg Guffey (Seventh to Eighth Grades Lead Teacher)

Greg is a graduate of Ball State University. He earned his B.S. in Social Studies Education in 1989, and later he earned M.A. degrees in both Special Education and Educational Administration and Leadership through Ball State University. Greg is a 34 year veteran teacher and a New Castle native. He spent the majority of his career teaching in the Anderson Community School district as a History Teacher and as a Dean of Students. Greg loves to build positive relationships with his students and he tries to make learning fun! He enjoys connecting past events to help his students have a better understanding of the world around them today. In his spare time he enjoys writing and recording music and spending time with his family.

Lizzie Labadie (Seventh to Eighth Grade Math)

Lizzie graduated from the University of North Texas with a B.A. in Secondary Mathematics Education and is currently working on her Masters in Middle School Mathematics. She has taught middle school math for the past 6 years in Houston, Texas. Her favorite things about teaching are being able to make math accessible and empowering her students to become lifelong problem solvers.  In her free time, she loves to hike, cook, read, and practice yoga. 

 

 

Middle School Education Ethic

The RFS 7th and 8th grade middle school program strives to inspire lifelong leaders and learners grounded in the Quaker principles of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship. Faculty and staff facilitate the exploration of these values as we help all students develop their own voice and academic pursuits. Our preschool – 8th grade model allows middle school students to be both challenged and rewarded through their natural interactions with younger students, making them integral ambassadors of our school.

Hands-on learning and individualized instruction create an environment that inspires students to make real world connections. Our project-based classroom calls on kids to think critically and solve relevant problems. Teachers work hard to provide the foundational academic and social skills to prepare our students for high school and beyond.

Critical Thinking: 

We believe that deeper learning comes from a focus on critical thinking, including analysis, synthesis and evaluation of information. We teach students to evaluate current and relevant ideas through questioning, citing evidence from various sources, and applying their understanding through writing, class discussions and group projects.   

photo of middle school students

Experiential & Interdisciplinary Units:

Essential to our curriculum is the belief that learning is an expedition and should not be confined by subject or by walls. Project-based and experiential learning occur in every class, and we rely on our community resources to aid in teaching our students: guest speakers, local organizations, and universities. Twice a year, our students take part in weeklong enrichments, one focused on the humanities and the other on STEM. During this time, they are introduced to an in-depth study in these fields. Our end of the year class trip and frequent field trips throughout the year are used to enhance learning (See our spontaneous trip to Illinois to view the total eclipse below!).

Project-Based Learning:

It all starts by asking, “How does flipping the light switch make a light bulb turn on?” A simple guiding question leads to a multi-month long exploration into energy transfers and conservation, alternative sources of energy, and the construction of some creative Rube Goldberg machines.  This student centered project-based learning is at the heart of what we consider to be good teaching and learning at RFS because it calls on students to work collaboratively and think critically. Our goal is to immerse students in experiences that are both memorable and will help them see the big picture of what they are learning (See photo below of students working with Cope Environmental Center to enhance habitat for local bee populations).

Bee Movement Project Photo

Community Involvement:

We focus on building community in three ways. First, we want our students to understand that a cohesive and trusting classroom begins with each of them being an active and mindful participant (See photo of team building exercises at Camp Yale below!). Next, we seek opportunities to collaborate with the younger classes at RFS by sharing our learning and by building community with social events. Additionally, we embrace any chance to partner with local organizations or individuals including guest speakers, service learning opportunities and programming.

 

 

In This Section

  • Pre-K & Kindergarten
  • First & Second Grades
  • Third & Fourth Grades
  • Fifth & Sixth Grades
  • Seventh & Eighth Grades
  • Extended Care Program
  • Academic Calendar
  • Handbook
  • Music, Art & Spanish

Donate Online Now

Testimonials

"In addition to all the things that you consider as studies, RFS is teaching students what makes you a good person and a person that can operate in a complicated world. That is what it means to me when RFS says it educates the whole child.”

- Alex Eastman- RFS Alum
"I was worried about finances, but the head of school sat down with me and was understanding of my circumstances and worked with me to create a plan so Juniper could attend. I was excited that she would get to be at a school where she can be anything she wants to be and everyone will accept and love her."
- Sunshine Rankin and Juniper Dixon
"When we place nature at the center of our community, we come to realize the true abundance of the world we live in. This school puts these seeds of hope in its students; it changes how they move through the world, and it changes the communities they enter for the better.”
- Kian Eckert - RFS Alum
"Day to day, week to week, we have seen big jumps from Nico and Johanna. They feel excitement. They come home, and they want to share what they’ve done in class that day."
- The Casas-Sheets Family
“We needed an opportunity to give our daughter a healthy environment to grow, and RFS aligns with our values. Lucy has built a lot of confidence and friendships at school, and we love that she gets to interact with younger kids which wouldn't be possible in a traditional school setting.”
- The Burkhardt Family
 

"The teachers at RFS are able to give so much attention to individual students, so they don't get lost in the crowd of a large class. I love that Garret feels safe trying things that he may be initially uncomfortable or nervous about."

- The Kirk Family
"Before enrolling here, Tristan struggled with dyslexia, which caused him to fall behind in reading. Thanks to the kind teachers and kids at RFS, Tristan is now reading at grade level and is beginning to enjoy it. He loves coming to school in the morning!"
- The Harris-Tyner Family

Photo of Julia and Lena

"We chose RFS because the Quaker values inform every aspect of learning and teaching- those values are vital to the world and to the individual."

- The Jensen Smith Family

Photo of Will and Cullen

"We are so happy to have found a school that is such a good fit and that helps him reach his potential."

- The Nicholes Family

"At Richmond Friends School you feel like part of a family."

- The Crittenden Family

Photo of Kendra and Briya

"I chose RFS for the great learning environment.  Hands-on independent learning that encourages children to progress at their own pace."

- The Busby Family

Contact Us

Richmond Friends School
607 W Main Street
Richmond, IN 47374
765-966-5767
office@richmondfriendsschool.org

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