Middle School

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Amy Vernon, Head of Middle School
Amy Vernon began teaching at Holy Comforter in 1997 when the first Middle School building opened on Fleischmann Road. Amy has a Master's Degree in Education from Florida State University and taught Social Studies in the Middle School for 18 years. While at Holy Comforter, Amy has served in many capacities including as the Director of Religious Education, Director of Alumni and as Assistant Coach for Softball, Cross Country and Track and Field. Though no longer a classroom teacher, Amy remains committed to and enjoys teaching students and can often be found leading chapels and teaching her 8th-grade Religion class.

Amy joined the administration team in 2015 and is passionate about working with administrators, teachers, and families to successfully move students through the challenging and exciting middle school years. As the parent of a current 8th grader and an alumnae, Amy knows first hand the benefit of a Holy Comforter education. When not at work, Amy loves spending time with her family, reading, and occasionally getting out for a run.

Little known facts:
1. Amy loves to camp with her husband and two daughters in their 32-foot travel trailer. Some of their favorite spots to camp are Destin, Ft. Wilderness in Disney, and the Georgia and North Carolina mountains.
2. Amy has completed more than a dozen half-marathons and triathlons and in 2007, completed the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington D.C.

Our high school preparatory curriculum supports the cultivation of knowledge, incorporating experiential learning activities which promote the development of problem-solving, critical thinking and cooperative skills. Students are encouraged to take risks in the spirit of learning, look beyond personal fears, and passionately pursue their interests.

Students are challenged within and beyond the walls of the classroom in a way that supports independence, perseverance, resilience, and self-advocacy. The environment at HCES actively nurtures the development of personal autonomy so students may grow into independent learners and thinkers.

amy vernon, head of middle school

The middle school years aren‘t simply a prelude to high school, they yield rich capstone and leadership experiences that prepare our students for life. Our middle school students rise to leadership challenges and serve on Student Council, lead chapel services, serve as mentors in lower school classes, have starring roles in school performances and compete on our academic and athletic teams.

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TARGET

Program (Teen Activity, Religion, Guidance, Exploration & Teamwork)

Middle school TARGET provides a forum to address the wide range of issues that are relevant to middle school students and critical to a well-rounded education. During TARGET, students meet with peer groups, participate in religious instruction and Chapel services, clubs, assemblies, and grade-level meetings. Through the program, students address topics like academics, ethics, self-exploration, peer relationships, team building, organization, self-esteem, conflict resolution, and community service... just to name a few.

TARGET groups often participate in global and local outreach including the Guardian Ad Litem program, disaster relief collections, collection for local food banks, and performing service work with local organizations.

Electives

Our Middle School electives provide our students the opportunity to pursue interests that may not fall under the traditional educational umbrella. From design to debate, from games to gardening, middle schoolers have fun in electives courses.

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2D and 3D Art
Get Moving
Global Films
Introduction to Guitar
Middle School Mentors
Opening Night Theatre
Plant a Passion (Gardening)
School of Rock
Speech and Debate
STEM Robotics
Whacked Out Sports
Who Wants to be a Millionaire
Woodworking

The Fernandez Family

"After touring Holy Comforter, our criteria for a middle school expanded to include more than just academics. We realized that the learning environment was of equal importance. We not only wanted our daughter to learn, we wanted her to enjoy learning, which is exactly what I saw happening in each and every classroom I visited at Holy Comforter, regardless of grade level or subject matter."

Field Trips

Travel opportunities immerse students into hands-on, outside the classroom educational experiences. Field trips have included visits to Epcot and other local destinations connected to the curriculum. In addition, 8th graders participate in an annual three-night trip to Washington D.C., a tradition for over 20 years.

Traditions

Holy Comforter students participate in a number of meaningful traditions throughout their time in Middle School. Some of those traditions include:

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Chapel Programs
Middle School Dances
Annual See You at the Pole Event
Year-long Grade Level Challenges (including Pumpkin Decorating and the STEAM Iditarod sled-building competition)
Dress Down Days
8th-grade Baccalaureate Service and Bell Ringing Ceremony
8th-grade This I Believe Essays and Speeches, 8th-grade Retreat to Camp Weed

National Honor Society

Our National Junior Honor Society members exhibit excellence in academics and leadership, display honorable and admirable character, and demonstrate a commitment to service and good citizenship – all of which indicate that the student is willing to use personal talents and skills for the improvement of both self and society.

Clubs/Extracurriculars

Priding ourselves on a well-rounded and holistic approach to education, students in the Middle School have many opportunities to participate in activities outside the standard curriculum. A variety of clubs, many student-initiated and led, are offered both during and after the school day.

Student Council, Broball, Astronaut Challenge Competition, Coloring Club, Play-Doh Club, Uno Club, Fantasy Football, Mancala, Way Out Walking, Yoga, HCES Rocks!, Flag Football, French Films, Veggie Tales, Board Games, Just Dance

Middle School Musical Theater

Opening Night is a Middle School Elective available for students in grades 6 – 8. Students learn the major components of theatre production from script to stage including auditions and casting, lighting, costumes and makeup, theatre technology, directing, marketing, set design and a wide range of acting techniques. Each year culminates with a Broadway show collaboratively produced by the students and performed for school and community.