Middle School

PHPS Middle School

PHPS Middle School officially opened in Fall 2026 with our inaugural sixth grade class, extending the individualized instruction, targeted support, and strong sense of community that have long defined the PHPS experience.

Made possible by the opening of our new campus in Fall 2025, Middle School represents the next chapter in more than 64 years of serving students with learning differences in the greater Dallas community. Over the next two years, PHPS will continue its planned growth through eighth grade, giving students the opportunity to build on their foundation at PHPS as they prepare for high school and beyond.

Growing One Grade at a Time

2026–2027
Middle School opened with 6th Grade

2027–2028
7th Grade joins the Middle School

2028–2029
PHPS expands through 8th Grade

Building on the PHPS Experience

PHPS Middle School builds on the individualized instruction and targeted support students experience in the elementary years while responding to the changing needs of adolescent learners. Students continue strengthening foundational academic skills while engaging in more complex work, taking on greater responsibility, and developing increasing independence.

As academic expectations grow, students receive intentional support in the skills needed to manage them. Executive functioning becomes increasingly important as students learn to navigate multiple classes, organize materials and assignments, plan ahead, manage their time, and advocate for themselves.

At the same time, students are challenged to deepen their critical thinking, analysis, purposeful reasoning, and problem-solving across the curriculum.

Middle School is a bridge between supported learning and greater independence.

At PHPS, students have the time, instruction, and support to better understand how they learn, strengthen the strategies that work for them, and build the confidence to use those skills with increasing independence.

As PHPS grows through eighth grade, our focus remains on preparing students for what comes next. By the end of their Middle School experience, students will have had opportunities to strengthen academic skills, develop greater independence, understand themselves as learners, and prepare intentionally for the transition to high school.

Middle School Signature Programs

PHPS Middle School offers a set of intentionally designed signature programs that develop students as confident learners and emerging leaders. These offerings are structured to strengthen executive functioning, foster independence, and prepare students for the academic and personal demands of high school and beyond. To learn more, click on each program below.

Executive Team

Students meet daily with their Executive Team, with an extended session each Wednesday. This dedicated time focuses on executive functioning skill development, including organization, planning, time management, study strategies, and self-advocacy. Executive Team also provides leadership development and consistent adult mentorship, ensuring students receive personalized guidance and support as they grow academically and socially.

O.W.L. Time (Organize, Work, Learn)

O.W.L. Time is a daily, hour-long block designed to promote student choice and emerging independence. During this time, students may seek targeted learning support, collaborate with peers on projects, participate in clubs, or work independently on academic tasks. O.W.L. Time empowers students to take ownership of their learning, practice decision-making, and develop the skills necessary to manage their time and responsibilities effectively.

Weekly Impact Time

Each Wednesday follows a customized schedule, featuring extended Executive Team time and a dedicated afternoon block called Impact Time. Impact Time provides students with experiential learning opportunities, community partnerships, and leadership-focused projects. Through these experiences, students deepen their understanding of core academic subjects while connecting learning to real-world applications and community engagement.

Future-Ready and Capstone Courses

In seventh grade, all students will participate in a Future-Ready elective during the spring semester. This course is designed to support the transition to high school by building self-awareness, goal-setting skills, and academic readiness. In eighth grade, students will expand this work through a year-long elective that guides them through the high school application process while continuing to prepare them for the transition to high school. 8th graders will develop a learning portfolio and complete a capstone project. This culminating experience allows students to explore an area of passion, demonstrate mastery, and showcase their growth as learners and leaders.

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