ACADEMICS

Middle School at Traverse City Christian School

A private Christian middle school in Traverse City, MI, committed to your child’s growth

GRADES 6-8

When you think about your child entering middle school, do you wonder how they’ll navigate this time of self-discovery?

As a parent, you probably recognize that middle school is where your child’s potential starts to take shape in new and meaningful ways. These are the years when students start asking bigger questions about…

  • Who they are…
  • Where they belong…
  • and what role their faith plays in their future.

It’s a season of rapid change, but also of extraordinary growth. At Traverse City Christian School, we see middle school not as a time to ‘wait and see,’ but as a God-ordained season where students discover how their efforts, values, and talents can impact the world for His glory.

With personal guidance and faith-filled learning, our private Christian school helps students grow with confidence during these important years. Below, we highlight what makes our middle school experience unique:

School Culture

Where every student belongs and every story matters.

Middle school is often described as a time of uncertainty. At TCCS, we approach it differently — as a time to root students in connection, purpose, and grace. Our culture reflects the core belief that student

Respect through example

In our spiritual growth groups, students do more than talk about respect — they practice it. With 6-8 students per group, they are given the space to listen, share, and learn from one another. These relationships become the building blocks of trust and empathy.

A community built on mentorship

Teachers don’t simply guide lessons; they guide lives. Because of our smaller class sizes, teachers build meaningful relationships with students, meeting them where they are, academically and spiritually.

Faith expressed through service

Imagine your child stepping outside the classroom and into the community, packing lunches for children in need, or cleaning up a local park. These projects aren’t just tasks — they’re lessons in compassion and servant leadership, anchored in biblical values.

A safe place for growth

We believe students are most successful when they feel secure. That’s why we emphasize positive reinforcement, offering opportunities to reflect on the benefits of making wise choices while reinforcing accountability through natural consequences.

Discover the TC Christian difference

As you consider the best middle schools in Traverse City, MI, we invite you to visit our campus and experience a culture where your child will feel safe and known.

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“The administration and teachers are great! They are so passionate! They care about the students, and the academics are fantastic. I love the Christian focus on prayer, worship, and Christian character. Weekly chapel, small groups, and open communication are all greatly appreciated.

Jenelle O. (TCCS Parent)

Academic Offerings

Learning that inspires deeper understanding.

At TC Christian, we believe learning is a journey of discovery that goes deeper than surface knowledge. Our project-based approach invites students to explore subjects by asking meaningful questions, solving real-world problems, and connecting ideas to biblical truths.

Academic Excellence

Your child will engage in hands-on projects and inquiry-based learning that develop critical thinking and creativity, while preparing them for the rigorous demands of high school and beyond.

Leadership Development

Middle schoolers at TC Christian cultivate leadership skills.

Whether organizing service initiatives or representing their peers on Student Council, they understand what it means to lead with integrity.

Exploration of Talents

From science projects to athletics and ministry offerings, our enriched curriculum will allow your child to explore their interests while discovering new passions.

Athletics That Build Resilience

Team sports, including cross-country, basketball, and volleyball, provide opportunities to develop discipline and teamwork. Students are supported by coaches who care as much about character as they do about performance.

Words From a TC Christian Teacher

Name: Erica Boven
Degree(s): MS Science, Bachelor of Science, Elementary Group Minors – Western Michigan University, MA Curriculum and Teaching – Michigan State University
Teaching Experience:  15 years

Middle school students are full of creativity, curiosity, and courage, with a knack for seeing the world in unique ways. At TC Christian, we provide just the right balance of support and freedom, encouraging them to take risks, learn from both successes and mistakes, and grow through hands-on discovery. In our science labs, their individuality shines — some build models, others write papers, take tests, or create artistic representations — all reflecting the beautiful diversity of their God-given talents.

We encourage students to lean into the unknown, learn from mistakes, and grow through the challenges — because that’s where learning transforms into wisdom.

Curious to Learn More About TC Christian?

Request information today, and we’ll be happy to answer your questions and guide you through the next steps.

– HIGH SCHOOL PREP –

Prepping them for what’s next – and what’s beyond.

The middle school years are a crucial part of your child’s journey, which begins long before high school and continues through graduation. At TCCS, we acknowledge that this is a time when students can take meaningful steps toward owning their future — gaining values, skills, and knowledge that have been nurtured since their earliest days with us.

Personalized
goal-setting

Our Advisory Program focuses on helping students set meaningful academic and personal goals, creating practical steps to achieve them.

High school readiness

In 8th grade, students can earn high school credits in courses such as Algebra 1, giving them early exposure to advanced learning and exam preparation.

Life skills they’ll carry for years

From study skills classes in 6th and 7th grade to mentorship opportunities with high school students, our program equips middle schoolers with the confidence and competence to tackle high school and beyond.

Campus Safety

Creating safe spaces for every student to thrive.

When students feel physically and emotionally safe, they can explore their interests and build meaningful connections. Our 40-acre campus on farmland on the outskirts of Traverse City is designed with modern security measures to create an environment where students can grow, and parents can have peace of mind.

At TCCS, your child will receive emotional and spiritual support from teachers who model Christ’s compassion. Through Love and Logic principles, they develop resilience and confidence, facing challenges with the knowledge that they are supported by a caring community.

Let’s Connect and Explore Your Child’s Future.

Schedule a discovery call with our Admissions Team to learn how our private middle school in Traverse City, MI, can help your child grow in faith, academics, and purpose.

Craig O’Connor • Admissions and Advancement
coconnor@tcchristian.org (231) 929-1747 ext. 128

Ready to take the next step? Visit our campus or start your application today.

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