Building Confidence, Independence, and Readiness for Middle School and Beyond
“In the Launch Pad, students deepen habits of self-management, adaptability, problem-solving, and ownership—skills that will serve them well in Middle School, Upper School, college, and the workplace. My hope is that alumni will remember this space as one that helped them step forward with confidence as learners and individuals.”Erin Cerezo, Director of Lower and Middle School
Lower School students at The Colorado Springs School are part of an exciting program designed to help them enter Middle School feeling prepared and fully supported.
Central to that transition is the Launch Pad, a learning environment for 4th- and 5th-grade students that supports academic and developmental growth while helping students build executive functioning skills, independence, and confidence for Middle School.
Made possible in large part by generous gifts from members of the Scripps Family, the Rossetter Foundation, and Sylvia and Bob Alverado-Kelly, the Launch Pad opened its doors in February 2026, and early reviews are already highlighting the engaging, interactive space.
Fourth-grade student Felipe B. shared his thoughts while working with two classmates on a colorful, rearrangeable corner couch. “I love it,” he said. “And I like the flexible seating. I feel like I learn better when I’m not sitting in a boring seat.”
That student experience reflects a broader, intentional vision for how CSS approaches the transition between divisions. “The Launch Pad was created to strengthen cohesion and consistency between the Lower School and Middle School by intentionally bridging the transition for 4th- and 5th-grade students,” said Erin Cerezo, Director of Lower and Middle School.
Over time, CSS educators noticed a recurring challenge: students entering Middle School were academically capable but often lacked key executive functioning skills—such as planning, organization, time management, and self-regulation—needed to navigate the increased rigor and independence of Middle School. The Launch Pad was designed to address that gap early and intentionally.
“At its heart, Launch Pad is grounded in executive functioning, focusing on planning, organization, time management, and self-regulation as core skills,” Ms. Cerezo said. “The program builds these skill sets through both direct instruction—explicit lessons and routines—and indirect methods—embedded practice within authentic learning experiences—so students internalize habits rather than rely on adult scaffolding.”
One of the defining features of the Launch Pad is its intentional, gradual release of responsibility. Fourth graders receive close modeling and coaching, while 5th graders are encouraged to take increasing ownership of their learning.
“As students move through 5th grade, the program intentionally reduces direct support and replaces it with scaffolded expectations that look and feel more like Middle School,” Ms. Cerezo said. “By the end of 5th grade, students are managing increased rigor and responsibility while still having a safety net.”
That approach helps ensure students arrive in Middle School feeling prepared rather than overwhelmed.
“We have passing periods, which is nice to have because in Middle School, you have five-minute passing periods,” said 5th-grade student Weston E. “We have to get to places faster, like if we have to go to the Carriage House for art, and it gives us a better sense of time management.”
That growing awareness of time reflects a broader shift Weston has noticed—one that encourages students to take greater ownership of both their learning and their space.
“It feels good to have our own building. There are a lot more places to work, like nooks to tuck away and work independently,” he said, adding that he appreciates being able to move between seating options throughout the day.
Fifth-grade teacher Bethany Wingo feels the Launch Pad provides students with a clear, purposeful environment that sharpens focus and fosters independence. “The children have this wonderful, structured environment that allows them to know that when I am in this space, this is what I’m learning,” she said.
She has also seen significant growth in students’ awareness of transitions and time management. With five-minute passing periods built into the day, students are learning to manage their materials and arrive ready to learn. “Their awareness of that time is night and day difference,” she said. “It’s having everything in one space that is like a mini version of what they’re going to get in Middle School.”
That structure allows teachers to guide students intentionally. “We have the ability to scaffold that time management for them so we can help them with that.”
Organization has been another standout benefit. With classroom libraries and clearly defined storage, students learn where materials belong and how to access them independently.
“Everything has a place, and everything is in its place,” Mrs. Wingo said. “That helps them in their own personal organization.” Even students who struggle elsewhere benefit from the consistency: “Even if they are a disorganized mess everywhere else, in here it’s organized.”
The physical design of the Launch Pad plays an equally important role. Created as a “mini Middle School,” the four-classroom model introduces departmentalization while keeping students in a contained, supportive environment.
“The environment itself teaches students how to learn, move, and collaborate more independently,” Ms. Cerezo said.
Students practice switching classes, managing lockers, and navigating passing time—within a space that feels safe and familiar. Lockers, flexible furniture, lab tables, and varied seating options mirror Middle School learning environments, allowing students to practice self-regulation before entering the El Pomar Academic Center.
“This daily routine of storing materials, preparing for the next class, and moving with purpose reinforces executive functioning in a concrete, visible way,” Ms. Cerezo said.
Fourth-grade teacher Renee Lane says the Launch Pad has already transformed her daily teaching experience. “My Launch Pad room has so much to offer in terms of space and comfort,” she said, noting that natural light, sound control, and ample storage help her stay organized. “Everything we need is in the room instead of various places around campus, so I feel prepared every day.”
For students, small design details make a meaningful difference. Ms. Lane points to lockers located just outside the classroom as a simple but powerful support. “This saves time and builds in more time in the classroom.”
Fifth-grade student Ari T. also notices the impact of organization and ownership. Having a dedicated space separate from the rest of Lower School makes her feel special as she learns Middle School routines. “It’s less distracting and a lot easier to learn,” she said. “It’s more fun.”
Fifth-grade teacher Reanna McConnell feels the Launch Pad has brought a new level of energy and flexibility to her classroom. “The students have really embraced being able to choose where they sit and how they work,” she said, explaining that movable furniture allows the space to adapt throughout the day and has added a level of excitement to the classroom.
“Having the choice of where to sit does bring a level of accountability,” she said. “They have to be accountable for where they're choosing to sit,” she said, as students reflect on whether their seating choices best support their learning.
Project-based learning is a cornerstone of the Launch Pad experience, helping students grow into confident problem-solvers who apply knowledge in meaningful ways. “It moves them beyond learning to take a test and into learning to do something in the world,” Ms. Cerezo said.
The Launch Pad serves as a hub for these experiences, providing space for students to collaborate, present, and reflect—often sharing their work with peers, other grade levels, and adults.
“Through these experiences, students enter Middle School with a stronger sense of agency and ownership over their learning,” Ms. Cerezo said, “and with increased confidence in their ability to create, solve problems, and do meaningful work with their knowledge.”
Proximity to the Learning Garden—which engages CSS students from Lower School to Upper School in hands-on STEM learning, from planting and harvesting to scientific inquiry, while fostering curiosity, creativity, and community connections—and outdoor spaces extend learning beyond the classroom, giving students opportunities to practice responsibility, follow-through, and reflection in real-world contexts.
That same intentionality continues inside the classroom. With a sink built directly into her room, Ms. Lane says the space has expanded possibilities for hands-on learning. “If we do another animal dissection, I feel prepared.”
The Launch Pad has also made transitions smoother than expected. Mrs. McConnell described how students independently gather materials and shift into new groupings with ease. The open layout allows her to run multiple centers at once. “I can run three centers in the classroom and not feel overwhelmed,” she said.
She also highlighted how the space supports Middle School readiness through structured transitions and explicit instruction around time management. “This whole last unit has been on time management and time awareness,” she said, describing daily practices such as estimating task duration, timing transitions, and using five-minute passing periods aligned with the Middle School schedule.
By intentionally mirroring Middle School routines—such as open doors during passing periods—the Launch Pad helps students practice skills they’ll soon need every day. “We are trying in ways that we can mimic what it’s going to be like,” Mrs. Wingo said.
For Ms. Cerezo, the most powerful outcome goes beyond academics. “The Launch Pad gives students confidence and ownership over their learning much earlier,” she said. “That changes how they show up in every space that follows.”
By embedding executive functioning into daily practice, students don’t just learn organization, time management, and problem-solving—they live it, building skills that will serve them in Middle School, Upper School, college, the workplace, and beyond.
"My hope," Ms. Cerezo said, "is that alumni will remember this space as one that helped them step forward with confidence as learners and individuals.
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