Academic Competitions and Enhancements

Academic Enhancements

NDES and NDMS cultivate academic excellence every day with program enhancements that develop the whole child. Through field trips, speakers, culminating activities and special programs, students are exposed to opportunities that spark new interests and build life skills.

Field Trips

Grade-level Field Trips
6th Grade Camp (3 days)
Pittsburgh Field Trip (Grade 7)
Washington DC Trip (Grade 8) (3 days)

Culminating Activities

Book Fair
Business Fair Grade 4
Science Fair Grade 6-8
Young Authors Pre-K - Grade 6
8th Grade Day of Clay
Christmas Program Grades K-4
Spring Program Grades 4-6
Band Program Grades 5-8

Academic Electives for Grades 7 & 8

Technology Learning Tools
Junior High Electives

Academic Competition Clubs

First LEGO League Robotics

Grades 5-8

FIRST LEGO league introduces science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to children through fun, exciting hands-on learning. Participants gain real-world problem solving experience through a guided, global robotics program, helping today's students and teachers build a better future together.

Math Competitions and Clubs

Grades 5-8

NDES participates in the Greater Cleveland Council of Teachers of Mathematics Tournament (GCCTM) and Math 24 to stimulate interest in mathematics among middle-school students. Students who enjoy a mathematical challenge will find a broader field of competition, a chance to apply their knowledge, and a chance to meet other students with similar interests.

Ohio History Day

Grade 8

Ohio History Day is an affiliate of National History Day (NHD), an exciting program that makes history come alive for students. Students conduct historical research that leads to imaginative exhibits, documentaries, original performances, websites and scholarly papers.

Power of the Pen

Grades 7-8

Power of the Pen is an interscholastic creative writing program for middle school students. NDES Power of the Pen team consists of 7th and 8th-grade qualifying writers who participate as a team in a series of writing competitions in which they are given a prompt that they must base an essay or short story within 40 minutes. After the allotted time, each story is given to the coach, who evaluates the writing and chooses students who they think are best for the team based on their writing skills.

Science Fair
Grades 6-7

The Science Fair is an opportunity for students to apply the scientific method to conduct independent research. The results of each student's research is displayed and judged at the NDES Science and Engineering Fair held in January. Students who qualify will advance to compete in regional, state, and national science fairs.

Spelling Bee

Grades 4-8

NDES participates in the annual spelling bee which is part of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The school tournament begins in January and the winner advances to local Spelling Bees at the county, regional and state levels that may lead to competition at the Scripps National Spelling Bee held in Washington D.C.