Upper School
What to expect from Upper School
- Embrace Challenges
- Global Viewpoint
- Tenacity
- Prepared for the Next Learning Chapter
At Summers-Knoll, our 5th through 8th grade students can do the work of most high school students.
The Upper School Experience
Upper School teachers go even deeper with the complexity and creativity of the projects and core academic work while never losing sight of the student’s social and emotional needs. Our goal is to prepare Upper School students to be successful in whatever future endeavors they choose. As in the Lower School, master classes with experts from various disciplines are regular, and field trips that bring to life what children are learning are essential. As the oldest group of students, each middle schooler supports their younger peers by teaching common subjects, mentorship, and simply being a friend who can be counted on.
While the complexity, student autonomy, and duration of the Upper School projects differ based on the ages of the students, projects motivate students. As a result of meaningful inquiry-based learning that relates to and/or addresses real-world issues, each student’s sense of responsibility to their community grows and deepens throughout the Upper School years. The Upper School student experience is exemplified by the application and transfer of knowledge into action. Whether they are participating in a state-wide writing competition or engaging in web-based dialogues with college-age students about perennial philosophical and ethical issues, Upper School students use a range of communicative tools to express their ideas as well as grapple with and appreciate other people’s perspectives. Through their efforts and risk-taking, as well as many opportunities to engage publicly with community members outside of Summers-Knoll, they develop self-efficacy as well as an understanding of how their actions – individually and collectively – can impact the people and environment around them.
Place Out of Time
In 5th through 8th grades, participation in programs such as the University of Michigan’s Place Out of Time simulation, which require grounding in historical eras and players, provides opportunities for interdisciplinary learning and authentic purposes for applying new knowledge. In this multidimensional, multimodal project, students learn about history, politics, ethics, and themselves. Driven by the question of what would happen if the greatest minds of history came together, Upper School students conduct historical research, write biographies of their chosen historical figure, engage in online Place Out of Time discussion forums with the University of Michigan undergraduates who are engaged in the same inquiry, and write and perform a monologue or a dialogue with another character for the school community and parents.
Museum of Science
In their Museum of Science project, the 7th and 8th graders learn about diverse physical science concepts as well as how to teach others about science with effective exhibit design. After choosing a concept for a demonstration, they engage in an iterative process of design, practice, troubleshooting, and giving and receiving feedback. They research their chosen science topics and develop critical thinking skills through their evaluation and critiquing of peers’ exhibit designs. After much preparation and rehearsal, they are given multiple opportunities to perform their demonstrations for different audiences. Their individual projects are complemented by the class’s team creation of an interactive science exhibit, which was informed by their visits to local science museums. Through multiple lenses of an exhibit designer, a teacher, and a learner, they experience and analyze of a wide range of exhibits. This “on the ground” research teaches students how to use the world around them to inform a design of their own creations.
Meet Our Upper School Teachers
Ian Cook
icook@summers-knoll.org
Ian was born in the Ann Arbor area and went to school in Dexter before completing his Bachelor’s degree in Cognitive Science and Spanish at the University of Michigan. In high school and at college, he was involved in a variety of activities, including theatre organizations, orchestras, the student newspaper, and a robotics club. Ian believes life is full of opportunities for him to reflect, learn, and grow, and is excited to help that process occur within the young folk at Summers-Knoll. After he graduated college, Ian spent an academic year in Spain as a classroom assistant, helping students there improve their English skills. This experience made him realize how joyful and rewarding working with kids is. Before working at Summers-Knoll, Ian worked with neurodivergent individuals one-on-one, doing interpersonal therapy with the goal of fostering social, emotional, and independent living skills. He is happy to now be part of the Aftercare team and to assist in classrooms this year. Outside of work at the school, Ian enjoys playing board and role-playing games, reading books, spending time with family, hanging out with and supporting friends, playing video games, riding bikes, kayaking, and continuing to learn.
Ian Cook
Upper School Teacher
Imogen Giles
igiles@summers-knoll.org
I am the Languages teacher at Summers-Knoll and have been an SK faculty member for over a decade. I teach Latin to every class from Preschool to 8th grade and French from 1st to 8th grade. This role in our school life means I am known as Magistra and as Madame, and I consider myself very fortunate to have had the opportunity to begin a Latin program for the School when I was first appointed to transform what was a small French program to one that embraces all our students.
I gained my Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from the University of London in England. I taught in a number of independent schools before becoming the Head of Classics at Cobham Hall School in Kent and then moving to this country.
I am an ardent reader and love classical music, ballet, drawing, and painting. I also love to travel and look forward to spending each Summer with my family in our home in France.
Imogen Giles
French and Latin Teacher
Myia Love
Myia Love
Aftercare Attendant
Mary Perrin
mperrin@summers-knoll.org
This is my 8th year at Summers-Knoll. My BFA is from EMU, and my skill base in the arts is wide, varied, and always growing. I currently work with an artist’s collective based in Detroit, building themed vehicles, sets, and activities for creative events.
Though I am working towards becoming a certified teacher, I believe my background in the “real world” of Art, as opposed to arts education, is one of the strengths I bring to the school. Many things can only be learned through doing, and I have a lifetime of experience being an artist, working with other artists, and presenting my art to the public. My goal is to teach your children how to teach themselves art so they can continue to learn and grow as artists and creative thinkers long after they leave my classroom.
Mary Perrin
Art Teacher
Take the next steps
Explore our Signature Academic Programs
Through exploration, experimentation, and play, our preschool students find deep understanding in appropriate academic and social learning environments.
1st – 4th Grade
Our lower school students continue their interdisciplinary core subject discoveries with a focus on collaboration and independence.
5th – 8th Grade
Our Upper School students are prepared for success in high school, college, and life. Our program culminates in eight 21st century proficiencies by creating an instructional program so that students can apply what they have learned.
Young Explorers
Lower School
Upper School
