My son started this year as a 6th grader in a charter middle school in my area, the same school my daughter attended. He came home from school the very first day saying “school was cool” a day later school “was awesome”. After an experiment in the parking lot shooting corks he exclaimed “science was awesomely wicked cool”. I asked why it was so terrific, “because we DO stuff mom!” said with a certain middle school attitude. He placed heavy emphasis on the do. This particular school places emphasis on students active engagement and self direction in learning. Students know they are responsible for their own success, learning is physical, project based and collaborative. My daughter thrived in this environment and I know my son will as well he is off to a good start.