The Rebel FAM House System for Middle School Students
We proposed and developed the FAM House System in the middle school for the 2021-2022 school year to help in the ever important development of self-confidence and belonging that a tween/teen needs.
The British “House System” is one that has garnered more attention among Middle School Aged Students more recently via the popular Harry Potter series. This system is used to break up students into mixed age group “houses” that then work together throughout the school year to earn points for their houses for good behavior, special accomplishments, participation in school events, etc. It is meant to foster a sense of community and build meaningful opportunities for teamwork, expands friendship circles within the middle school as a whole that transcends the limitations of each individual grade cohort, and provides more leadership opportunities (house captains) who can work with the student council officers in developing middle school specific events/challenges.
St. Francis Xavier is ‘Home of the Rebels’…and has worked to bring the Saints into the spotlight each day, month, and year… as living examples of ‘Rebels for Christ’. Each of our houses take different Saint’s charisms as their inspiration and goal.
Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati
Blessed Carlo Acutis
Saint Gianna Molla
In the first year, student members were a part of developing a color, symbol and slogan for their House (with their house parents and captains) that will then always be associated with it. T-shirts were made in the House colors with the symbols, House name and motto, and can be worn on designated Rebel FAM Friday challenge days.
Membership is decided at random but students remain in the same house for their 3 years of Middle School and siblings would go to the house of their older sibling to keep families in the same house over time. While still in its infancy as a program, students have embraced it and are bringing their creative ideas to shape it even further for future middle school generations. We are excited for the potential growth, development, and value that this program could bring to our school community.
Check out our FAM House Photo Gallery