Our middle school class serves students in 6th through 8th grade. Mrs. Melanie D’Angelo is our Middle School History, English; Mrs. Karena Sklavounos is the Middle School Science teacher; and Dr. Kristine Burns is our Middle School Math teacher. Our classroom assistant is Ms. Brenda Aguilar. All three of these teachers bring a wealth of experience and background to their positions. Other subjects offered as part of our middle school curriculum include Spanish, physical education, drama, and art.
Our Middle School curriculum is not a Montessori one, but rather serves as a transition space to meet the requirements for the IB program and all of the magnet high school programs in our area. Parents are expected to research high school options and work with the teachers and administration on specific program requirements. Our Middle School students have been accepted to the Center for International Education: A Cambridge Associate School, Coral Reef Senior High School, Everglades Preparatory Academy High School, M.A.S.T. Academy @ Homestead, Miami Arts Charter, Cutler Bay Senior High School, Redland Christian Academy, and South Dade Senior High School.
Meet our incredible Middle School teachers!
 Mrs. Melanie D’Angelo earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English from The University of Central Florida.She has been a resident of Homestead for 12 years. She’s been married for 11 years to Mr. Jason D’Angelo, a Nuclear Security Officer at Turkey Point. They have two daughters, Ava, a recent Atala graduate, and Adrianna a current Atala student. She enjoys spending time with family, reading, going to the beach and taking Disney trips! She is a huge Miami Heat basketball fan and love to watch UCF football. Go Knights! She couldn’t be more excited and honored to be a part of the Middle School staff at Atala! You may email Mrs. D’Angelo at mdangelo@atalamontessori.org. |
 Mrs. Karena Sklavounos is our Middle School Science teacher. In addition to these duties, she has previously taught 3rd grade math and yoga. Her son is a 4th grade student at Atala. |
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 Educator, composer, and author Dr. Kristine H. Burns served as a professor and administrator at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Dartmouth College, and Florida International University for 18 years before coming to Atala as one of its owners. Kristine earned her doctorate in computer music from Ball State University. She teaches the Middle School math curriculum. In addition to her Atala administrative duties, she works as an online college instructor of general education courses at the University of Arizona, Global Campus. You may contact her at kburns@atalamontessori.org. |