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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 Jennie Kiffmeyer, Lizzie Labadie, and Cynthia Allen 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 Steve Cleaver, Head of School, at 765-966-5767 or headofschool@richmondfriendsschool.org.

Sample Student Evaluation

7th and 8th Grade Supply List 2023-2024

Meet the teachers:

Jennie Kiffmeyer (Seventh to Eighth Grades)

Jennie received a B.A. degree in Art History from Indiana University Bloomington, a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from University of Illinois, and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Spading University. She has worked with children at independent schools for 7 years, most recently as a middle school religion teacher at St. Richard’s Episcopal School in Indianapolis. Jennie also has professional experience as a school librarian and taught a course at Earlham College about themes of peace and social justice in children’s literature. An award-winning storyteller and writer, Jennie especially loves exploring stories with her students and engaging them in the research and creative processes. When not in the classroom, Jennie enjoys cooking for family and friends, making art, and volunteering at Richmond Civic Theatre. Jennie and her husband Jonathan are parents to Ben (RFS, Class of ’17) and Lizzy (RFS, Class of ’20).

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. 

Cynthia Allen (Seventh to Eighth Grades Science)

Cynthia received her Bachelor’s Degree in Physics and Mathematics from Samford University and a Master’s Degree in Science Education from Indiana University Bloomington. As a dedicated educator, she has taught high school, physics, mathematics, engineering, chemistry as well as college coursework in physics, engineering, and teacher education. She has spent the last 5 years working with future teachers at IU Bloomington getting them prepared for their teaching career. Outside the classroom, Cynthia enjoys reading, spending time with her family and friends and sharing her love of learning with others.

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
  • Music, Art & Spanish

Donate Online Now

Testimonials

“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
“With strong academics, hands-on learning, and high-level thinking, RFS's project-based approach acknowledges who the child is - what their strengths are, how to help them, and character-building that stems from Quaker principles. RFS has molded Ezra's passion for nature into a strength and helped him develop his compassionate personality.”
- The Sizelove 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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