Middle School

The Ashton School middle and high school curriculum is rigorously college preparatory with highly developed requirements in all academic areas. The academic program is well developed and broad in scope, offering English, Math, Social Studies, Science, Spanish Literature and Spanish Sociales courses, in grades 7th through 12th. The middle school program includes electives in the Fine Arts spectrum with at least four different courses available each semester. In the math program Ashton school has developed opportunities to partake in an AP Math or Honors Math offering.

Recognizing that participation in the arts and physical education has a direct, positive impact on students’ academic work, the Ashton curriculum is one of few schools in the country with swimming (through grade 6th grade and as an elective course for the secondary students) and art classes (through grade 12) as a requirement for all students.

The Ashton’s co-curricular programs include an ambitious character education program, a community service learning program, and a highly-developed interscholastic athletic program. The school also supports the need for ongoing growth and challenges for its students through a number of special programs including: independent study, senior capstone projects, Model United Nations, Debate Club, academic fairs and others.

Programs extend themselves to include foreign language acquisition and French is offered to students in the 7th to 12th grades. Technology is readily available at the Ashton school. Each classroom is equipped with a computer, LCD projectors, which are shared among departments and teachers manage student progress using Ren Web Facts (an on-line grade book for parent-student-teacher access).

Ashton’s school culture and community are defined by progressive thought and action, intellectual curiosity, a multicultural and a community-involved population. A wide range of leadership and academic activities are available to students, some of which are drama club, student council, National Honor Society, and Model United Nations, Debate, Youth in Action clubs.

Throughout middle school, teachers urge students to explore, take risks and to work hard, as well as to have an active participation in the classroom setting. An average class size of 19 ensures a meaningful relationship between students and teachers.

An innovative and very dynamic professional development environment offers opportunities for growth and improvements in the faculty that is committed to the Ashton School middle and high school academic programs.

The school’s academic program is guided by a standards-based curriculum in accordance with U.S. standards for core classes which are all taught in English. The school also complies with the requirements of the Dominican National Ministry of Education (MINERD) in Spanish, Dominican Social Studies (Ciencias Sociales), French and Character Education (Desarrollo Humano y Religioso).

Ms. Elsa Torres

Ms. Torres is a teacher at heart and all of the experiences in her professional life have led to working with youngsters of diverse ages.

30 years in the field include early childhood education as a starting point, moving into elementary teaching and administration. This experience later developed into a 14-year experience as secondary principal where she continues to be amazed by the diverse opportunities of growth youngsters demonstrate each day.

Her other passions are music, reading and movies… important resources incorporated in her teaching style and personal development.

At Ashton School, Ms. Torres strives to offer a community and team building relationship that lends itself towards achieving an innovative academic and leadership program and geared towards allowing students and staff to achieve all they can be and prepare for a challenging yet successful college bound experience.