Paideia Seminar School

Cramerton Middle School is proud to be a leader in innovative teaching. During the 2022-2023 school year, our school earned the Paideia Seminar Nationally Certified School recognition, an honor awarded to only six schools in North Carolina. The Paideia Seminar has become the foundation of our Gifted and Talented Academy for grades 6-8, and it continues to produce positive results for our students.

The Paideia model is designed to engage students in critical thinking, strengthen communication skills and promote active learning. It challenges students to go beyond simply learning facts. Our students focus on analyzing, processing and applying knowledge so they become stronger learners and thoughtful members of the community—skills that will serve them well in high school, college and the workplace.

Seventh grade language arts teacher Andrea Miers shares how Paideia makes a difference in the classroom. “The Paideia Seminar is not just something we do once in a while, and it is more than simply a discussion,” she said. “Paideia is a practice, a method for teaching and listening, an ongoing dialogue and one of the most valuable ways to enhance motivation and learning.”

Miers adds, “I’ve watched hesitant students speak up, students connect with their peers and confidence build. This is what drives student engagement and makes learning memorable.”

At Cramerton Middle School, we are excited to see how the Paideia approach will continue to enhance academic success and support our mission of helping students grow and thrive.