CIS middle school students gain responsibility and confidence in a supportive environment.
Schedule a TourWhat makes CIS Middle School stand out?
Challenging academics
Your child will be engaged and excited to explore. They will study sciences, humanities, arts, Latin and another world language. And, they will learn how to study and manage their time in our Learn to Learn class.
STEM, performing arts, and athletics
Students have school-day and extracurricular opportunities including time the Cube STEM lab, drama, band, choir, physical education, 6th-8th grade sports, drone racing, academic bowl, Science Olympiad, e-sports, and more!
Inclusive and supportive community
At CIS, individual differences are respected and personal responsibility is expected. Middle school students are supported by faculty, staff and peers during these formative years.
Exceptional teachers
CIS teachers are well educated and responsive to the needs of young adolescents. Our faculty goes above and beyond to challenge students and offer help when needed.
Get to Know CIS Middle School
CIS Middle School curriculum includes core classes in math, English, social studies and science, and students begin to make elective choices for music, world language, and STEAM courses.
2023-2024 Middle School course selection informationA SAFE, SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT DURING YOUR CHILD’S ADOLESCENT YEARS
The middle school offers an educational program that nurtures the intellectual, emotional, physical, social, and artistic development of each student. The curriculum is designed by the faculty and based on the skills and content that a graduate is expected to possess. It is also integrated and aligned within departments and across school divisions, with an emphasis on promoting depth of understanding rather than a superficial breadth of topics.
All middle school students, grades six through eight, receive a college preparatory education grounded in the classical tradition and enhanced by a school-wide focus on contemporary global perspectives. Core curriculum courses include English, history, Latin, mathematics and science. Elective courses include modern languages (French, Mandarin and Spanish), fine arts (musical, performing and visual arts) and physical education.
All students spend time in the Cube STEM lab. Sixth and seventh graders visit the Cube to enhance the curriculum in other classes, while eighth grades can choose the Cube Essentials elective.
Want to know what a typical day at CIS might be like for your middle school student?
Access a sample class scheduleFrom our trophy-laden Academic Bowl team to interscholastic sports to after-school clubs, there are many exciting opportunities for our students to get involved and grow their skills.
2023-24 Extracurricular ActivitiesThe application process is designed to ensure we’re a good fit for your child! Get started by applying online and paying the $50 application fee, and the admissions office will help you with the rest of the process.
Apply OnlineFull tuition for students in grades 6-12 is $16,850 for the 2023-24 school year. Families may choose to apply for a lower tuition rate through our Flexible Tuition program. And, merit scholarships are available for students in grades 6-12.
Our faculty understand the importance of challenging and supporting students during their young adolescence. They make themselves available to help students before, during and after the school day. We strive to balance providing the right level of support and helping them grow in their independence.
Middle School Faculty
Morched Ben-Ayed
MS Math/US French
Cindy Bullard
MS/US Mathematics
Michael Burden
MS/US Social Studies
Joel Dittmer
MS Science & Math Specialist
Mr. Dittmer has a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in philosophy, and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, all from Mizzou. He wanted to be a teacher when he was a kid, and taught college for over 15 years, first at Mizzou and Westminster College during grad school and then as an assistant professor at Missouri University of Science & Technology. He started at CIS in 2020 and teaches middle school science, high school math, and some electives in the humanities. He is also the head coach for the Science Olympiad team.
Maggie Dittmer
MS/US English
Maggie Dittmer holds a B.F.A. in theater from Stephens College, and an M.A. from Mizzou. She enjoys teaching at CIS because she is able to develop long-lasting relationships with colleagues and students. The smaller class sizes make it easier to move through content or pause content in order to follow a student’s interest in a topic. She also loves the freedom she has to create different learning opportunities for students. One extracurricular activity she enjoys is directing the fall musical and the spring play. Additionally, she helps run the Literary Magazine with Mrs. Floyd and Ms. Stott, and occasionally helps (behind the scenes) with the Science Olympiad.
Chris Dodig
MS/US Latin Teacher
Christopher Dodig has a bachelor’s degree in Classical Languages from the College of Arts and Science at the University of Missouri. He coaches the Middle School Quiz Bowl and is the dungeon master for the Upper School Dungeons & Dragons Club. He enjoys clearing the way for students to pursue their goals in their own idiom and handing them the tools to build what they will.
Samuel Fessehaye
Middle/Upper School Band Director
Amy Floyd
MS/US English Teacher
John Hager
LS/MS Science Teacher
Donnie Howell
MS/US Life Sciences Teacher
Donnie Howell has an associate’s degree in theatre, a bachelor of arts in psychology and master’s degree in biomedical science. He earned his degrees from Central Methodist University, Columbia College, and Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. Mr. Howell is the CIS Aquarium Club sponsor. He enjoys teaching at CIS because he gets freedom to make his own curriculum and autonomy to teach in his own style.
Christine Jarquio
MS/US Choir Director
Celia Keyser
Spanish Teacher
Jami Knight
MS/US Art Teacher
Wally Luther
MS/US Cube Instructor/Coordinator
Walter Luther has a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in geosciences. He attended Missouri State University and Mississippi State University. He coaches the Middle School volleyball team. He enjoys teaching at CIS because of the ability to collaborate with other teachers. Mr. Luther said “CIS is special because of the community. All levels of students are learning and growing together at one campus. Everyone has the opportunity to be involved and have a voice.”
Lisa McClary
MS/US Social Studies
Daniel Radkowiec
MS/US PE Teacher
Daniel Radkowiec has been teaching and coaching at CIS since 2022. He coaches the cross country and track teams. He has a bachelor of education in physical education and a master’s degree in athletic administration. He likes CIS because of the positive attitude of the students and the dedication of the teachers and administrators.
Bryson Sewell
Middle/Upper School Latin Teacher
Victor Soria
MS/US Mathematics Teacher
Sarah Stott
Middle School Humanities
Sarah Stott joined CIS in 2023. She has a bachelor’s degree in History from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. As an extracurricular she teaches Yearbook club. Her favorite memory at CIS was seeing her first all school assembly. She feels CIS is special because we have a culture here that feels like a family.
Valérie Thaalbi
MS/US French
Valérie Thaalbi is a native French speaker who started teaching in 2011 and joined CIS in 2022. She has a multidisciplinary background, starting her career in marketing. She has a masters degree in education from the University of Toulouse, a bachelor’s degree in quality management from the University of Toulouse, and an associate’s degree in marketing from EPHEC (Brussels, Belgium). She has a passion for languages: fluent in English, she can also speak Dutch, Spanish, Italian and German. She came to CIS because she always wanted to teach abroad and experience living in the USA. Her favorite memory at CIS is at the upper school retreat where she got to experience her very first bonfire and s’mores!
Support Specialists
Elizabeth Buko
College Counselor
Hello! My name is Elizabeth Buko. I’ve been with CIS since 2015. I hold a BA in Writing Intensive English & Theology, a MA in English, and a M.Ed in Counseling. The students are always the absolute best part of my day and my job as a whole. Teenagers are tremendous teachers for adults, and I learn something new from them every day. I’ve traveled extensively and lived in different parts of country as well as worked in other independent schools, and with all those years of experience and exposure, I find CIS to be a truly special place where individuality is celebrated and the sense of belonging is palpable.
Jamie Blake
School Counselor
My name is Jamie Blake, and I’ve been at CIS for two years now. I have a BA in Psychology and a M.Ed in Counseling. I love helping others understand that mental health matters and that academic, social, and future success stem from having an understanding of how our internal thoughts and feelings affect our attitudes and behaviors.
Cassidy Crew
MS/US Learning Support Coordinator
Hello! I’m Cassidy Crew, and I’ve been working at CIS for four years. I hold a BA in Psychology – Health and Development and a JD in Law. Something I’ve always been passionate about is synchronized swimming – I was on the varsity synchronized swim team at Stanford, winning the National Championship, then helped coached teams from my graduation until my move to Missouri. I am now a national judge, and travel to meets around the country a few times per year to judge meets and give clinics.
Sarah Primmer
LS Learning Support Coordinator
Sarah Primmer has been with CIS for 8 years and holds a BS Elementary Education and a M.Ed Cross Categorical Special Education K-12. She is currently working on an Ed.D in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis. Sarah is passionate about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Ensuring that everyone is able to learn and grow as students and people is very important to her, regardless of age, ability, gender, religion, or race. She is passionate about learning more in this area as well as helping others learn and grow with her.
Jordan Pruis
LS Math Support & Enrichment Coordinator
Hi! I’m Jordan Pruis, and I’ve been at CIS for six years now. Something I’m passionate about is appropriate math education for all! One of my favorite math educators said, “Not everyone needs to be a professional mathematician but math shouldn’t get in the way of anyone’s future path.” I truly believe every child, male or female, can achieve in math. That way the possibilities for their future are limitless!