The 10 BIG Questions - Middle & High School

List of 10 frequently asked questions.

• Q: 1. How well will the school actually know my child?

  What to look for:

  Middle and high school students need more than teachers who know their names. They need educators who understand their strengths, interests, challenges, and individual learning needs. When evaluating a school, families should consider average class size and the resources available for personalized support.
  
  How we approach it at CPS:
  At Commonwealth Campus, classes average 13–15 students, allowing teachers to understand and advocate for each student individually. Dedicated class advisors who accompany students throughout their years at CPS, psychologists, counselors, and caring faculty and staff provide additional academic and emotional support. Together, these resources help ensure every student is known, valued, and equipped to succeed.

• Q: 2. How does the school build real belonging?

  What to look for:
  A genuine sense of belonging requires intentional opportunities for students to connect, particularly during transitions into middle and high school. Families should ask how schools help students build relationships from the beginning.
  
  How we approach it at CPS:
  At CPS, we target 45–55 students per grade level at our Commonwealth Campus, offering variety in friendships and interests while maintaining a close-knit community. Every student belongs to a homeroom and is paired with an advisor, creating daily opportunities for connection. Our Middle School Launch for incoming seventh graders and High School Retreat for incoming ninth graders help students establish meaningful relationships at the start of the school year. With more than 50 clubs and 56 competitive teams, students also have opportunities to connect through shared interests. This reflects our commitment to ensuring every Comet matters and our belief that "Once a Comet, Always a Comet."

• Q: 3. Co-ed or single-gender: which one is the best fit for my child?

  What to look for:
  Choosing between coeducational and single-gender education depends on each child's needs and a family's priorities. Single-gender schools may offer fewer social distractions and additional leadership opportunities in certain settings, while coeducational schools provide opportunities to develop social skills and collaborate in environments that reflect universities, workplaces, and communities.
  
  How we approach it at CPS:
  CPS intentionally embraces coeducation because we believe students benefit from learning, leading, and collaborating alongside people with different perspectives and experiences. Our diverse community helps prepare students for opportunities beyond high school. Rather than addressing concerns about distractions or students being overlooked by separating genders, CPS emphasizes a caring school culture, individualized attention, and appropriate structures that allow every student to thrive.

• Q: 4. Spanish-medium or English-medium: what will my child need for their future?

  What to look for:
  Families in Puerto Rico should consider not only a school's language of instruction but also the depth of its Spanish program. Conversational fluency is different from academic literacy, which includes studying literature, developing formal writing skills, and understanding Puerto Rican and Hispanic history and culture.
  
  How we approach it at CPS:
  At CPS, our core college-preparatory curriculum is taught in English, complemented by a rigorous Spanish first-language literacy program. Because our student community is overwhelmingly Puerto Rican, Spanish is treated as an essential academic subject rather than a foreign-language supplement. By giving both languages serious academic attention, CPS prepares students for higher education and professional opportunities in Puerto Rico, the continental United States, and abroad without sacrificing their linguistic or cultural identity.

• Q: 5. Is there joy in the journey, or only focus on the destination?

  What to look for:
  Middle and high school should be meaningful and enjoyable experiences, not simply years spent working toward college admissions or academic achievements. Families should consider whether a school values students' daily experiences and well-being alongside academic results.
  
  How we approach it at CPS:
  At CPS, "Joy in the Journey" is one of our core values, reflecting the behaviors and attitudes we intentionally cultivate throughout our community. While college acceptances, honors, and accomplishments matter, we believe students should also enjoy the learning process, build meaningful relationships, and find fulfillment in their school experience. Our goal is for students to appreciate the journey as much as the destination.

• Q: 6. Beyond academics, will my child have opportunities to explore new interests and develop their passions?

  What to look for:
  Extracurricular involvement helps students discover their interests, develop confidence, and form meaningful friendships. Families should consider not only the number of activities a school offers but also how accessible those opportunities are to interested students.
  
  How we approach it at CPS:
  At CPS, students can explore athletics, fine arts, music, theater, digital arts, clubs, and leadership opportunities. Across our two campuses, CPS offers 16 competitive sports, more than 50 clubs, and over 30 afterschool offerings, alongside 109 courses encompassing core classes, electives, and Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Every CPS student participates in a service, athletic, co-curricular, or student leadership activity during their time at the school. These opportunities are intentionally designed to help students discover and pursue their passions beyond the classroom.

• Q: 7. What is the school's philosophy and approach to technology?

  What to look for:
  A school's approach to technology should establish clear expectations for responsible use while supporting meaningful learning. Families should ask about cellphone policies, artificial intelligence, and how technology is integrated into instruction.
  
  How we approach it at CPS:
  Beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, CPS students in Grades 5–12 place their phones and smartwatches in individual Yondr pouches during the school day, keeping the devices with them until dismissal while encouraging greater presence and engagement. Students in Grades PPK–4 do not bring phones to school. CPS has also adopted Trek AI for Grades 5–12, a school-sanctioned tutoring platform designed to guide students through questions and step-by-step reasoning rather than simply provide answers. Teachers integrate their own curriculum and determine when to use the platform, while general-purpose AI tools remain blocked on the school network during the school day. These decisions reflect our commitment to purposeful technology use, student data protection, independent thinking, and meaningful relationships.

• Q: 8. Is the school preparing your child for independence?

  What to look for:
  Preparing students for life beyond high school means gradually developing their independence, responsibility, decision-making skills, and ability to overcome challenges. Families should consider whether a school encourages students to navigate difficulties or consistently removes obstacles for them.
  
  How we approach it at CPS:
  At CPS, we believe in preparing the child for the path, not the path for the child. Expectations and responsibilities increase intentionally from seventh grade through senior year, helping students become capable of managing their own academic lives. Our restorative approach to student decision-making and accountability encourages students to learn from mistakes and make better choices. As a non-sectarian school rooted in values, CPS welcomes families of all faiths while integrating character, purpose, service, respect, and responsibility into everyday learning and leadership, helping students grow into thoughtful, compassionate, and independent young adults.

• Q: 9. How will the school assist my child in the college counseling process?

  What to look for:
  Effective college counseling begins with understanding each student's strengths, interests, and aspirations rather than simply creating a list of universities. Families should ask when guidance begins and how individualized support is provided.
  
  How we approach it at CPS:
  At CPS, college preparation begins in seventh grade, with early connections in middle school and a student-centered process that includes direct conversations with families about finding the right college fit. Our approach emphasizes building a strong, flexible academic record while encouraging participation in community service, athletics, clubs, and other activities. Students also receive support with standardized test preparation without allowing a single test to define their potential. As students progress through high school, individualized counseling, academic planning, career exploration, and application guidance help them keep their options open. CPS graduates have earned acceptances to a broad range of universities in Puerto Rico, the continental United States, and abroad.

• Q: 10. What do the school's outcomes actually show?

  What to look for:
  When evaluating a school's outcomes, families should look beyond college acceptance lists to consider accreditation, academic recognition, and the breadth of opportunities available to graduates.
  
  How we approach it at CPS:
  CPS is fully accredited by the Middle States Association, is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools, and is a College Board AP Platinum School Honor Roll recipient. CPS is also the only Puerto Rico member school of the Council of International Schools, reflecting the international scope and rigor of its academic program. The Class of 2026 earned acceptances to universities across Puerto Rico, the United States, and abroad, including New York University, Northwestern University, Tufts University, Boston University, Emory University, Fordham University, Syracuse University, the University of Michigan, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Virginia, the University of Miami, Villanova University, and the University of Puerto Rico, among others, along with significant merit scholarship awards. Graduates pursue diverse pathways, including research universities, liberal arts colleges, conservatories, and art and design institutions in Puerto Rico, the United States, Spain, and Italy. For CPS, meaningful outcomes reflect the range of possibilities available to each student, not simply admission to a particular institution.