Middle School Curriculum

Religion 6

Athletics

English 7

History 7: Civics

Math

Science 7: Life Science

World Language: French, Latin, or Spanish

Performing Arts (1 trimester)

Visual Arts 7 (1 trimester)

Health and Wellness 7

Athletics

English 8

History 8: Comparative World Leadership

Math

Science 8: Physical Science

World Language: French, Latin, or Spanish

Performing Arts (1 trimester)

Visual Arts 8 (1 trimester)

Religion

OR Ethics (1 trimester)

Athletics

The Middle School math curriculum includes Connected Math I/II, a problem-centered curriculum; then Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, Geometry, and Honors Geometry.

The science curriculum begins with an exploration of the scientific method and the concepts that underlie the physical, biological, and environmental sciences. In seventh grade, students study biology with a design focus that includes lessons in robotics and the creation of artificial limbs. In eighth grade, students focus on physics, exploring how the elements of the physical world interact.

Middle School curricula are integrated to develop significant writing, communication, and critical thinking skills. Sixth graders compare ancient civilizations, myths, and modern narratives in an intensive humanities course that combines English and history. Seventh graders explore identity and choices in an English course that includes creative and narrative writing assignments in response to culturally relevant literature. Eighth graders write extensively in English and apply their skills to history, where they prepare an in-depth multi-genre research and writing project on a world leader.

Our students study Spanish, French, Latin, or Mandarin in a sequence developed specifically for the Middle School language learner. Languages are taught in immersion classrooms that have students speaking, listening, writing, and thinking in the language even at the earliest levels. Investigations of the respective countries and cultures and project-based learning strengthen the use of language in real-world contexts. With this solid foundation, our middle schoolers are well-prepared for more advanced language studies in our Upper School.

Middle schoolers enroll in a series of classes that probe our Episcopal identity as well as their own religious identities. In Religion 6, they study the earliest stories of the Bible in search of an answer to the guiding question, “What is the nature of God and the world God created?” In Religion 7, they continue analyzing the role of the divine in our everyday lives through studying the life and teachings of Jesus. In Religion 8, students have a choice of studying world religions or ethics, examining in either course the universal values that guide humanity. In studying religion, our goal is not to promote any particular religion but rather to use our Episcopal values as a starting point to help students discern their own spiritual and religious beliefs.

Students take visual and performing arts courses each year. A sequence of visual arts courses allows students to explore all media and connect creatively with their academic subjects.

Performing arts options include:

Band

Chorus

Dance

Drama

Middle School Musical

Middle School Technical Theater

Music & Computers

All middle schoolers participate in a sport or a fitness class each trimester. The emphasis is on skill building, conditioning, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Practices and interscholastic games are held during the last time block of each day.

Teams and sports include:

Baseball

Basketball

Cross Country

Dance

Fitness

Lacrosse

Soccer

Softball

Swimming

Tennis

Track

Volleyball

Wrestling