Middle School

We offer age-appropriate information, skills training, and fitness activities necessary for middle school students to make healthy life choices. Our program has three interconnected facets: physical fitness activities, health learning, and sports playing. Physical fitness education guides students to understand a health-enhancing level of physical fitness, to acquire safe and appropriate exercise techniques, to improve strength and motor skills, and to establish personal fitness goals. Health education focuses on both health promotion and risk reduction, guiding students to understand essential health concepts, develop effective interpersonal communication skills, use a decision-making process, establish personal goals, and practice health-enhancing behaviors. Seventh grade health education includes team participation on the school’s challenge courses. Sports playing education introduces students to game rules of interactive team sports (including soccer, flag football, volleyball, softball, and basketball) along with a variety of dances, guiding students to appreciate the benefits of participation in team activities and motivating them to engage in team play.

Technology and its applications are woven throughout the curricula, as Middle School students employ technology to create original works, individually and collaboratively; explore issues using models and simulations; identify trends and make predictions; collaborate and publish with peers; plan and conduct investigative research; and, learn to locate, organize, analyze, evaluate and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media. Students have consistent access to laptops through a 1:1 laptop program.

Appreciating the distinctive qualities and characteristics of Middle School students, faculty are mindful of the rapid and profound personal changes that middle-level students are experiencing as they transition from childhood through adolescence and into young adulthood.  Faculty recognize each student’s need for autonomy, competence, relationship and to have fun in constructive ways.  Our programs and practices reflect that for Middle School students, relationships are paramount and emotions drive learning.

Our program includes an advisory program in order to provide students with an adult advocate on campus and to provide parents with an on-campus faculty member to direct questions and concerns to.  The goal of this program is to establish trust, build positive relationships, cultivate a compassionate community, and develop social skills.

Complementing the advisory program, other student support services include an Academic Resource Program, a School Counselor and time set aside within the school day for students to meet with classroom teachers. Time is built into our daily schedule to provide unstructured opportunities for our students to engage socially with each other.

The relationship between advisor and advisee must be based on mutual trust and respect, and those two characteristics take time to develop.

That is why we have carefully structured our program in a way that builds continuity: students in Middle School work with the same advisor from sixth to eighth grade, while our Upper School students also follow their advisor through to 12th grade. Dedicated meeting times each week are integrated into the schedule, allowing each group to check-in and interact consistently.

To learn more visit our Advisory Program page.

In addition to classroom and service learning activities, Middle School students enthusiastically take part in individual and team activities, including athletic events, theatrical and musical productions, visual art displays, student government, clubs, organizations, societies, spirit week activities, and academic competitions. View the Clubs and Organizations page for a more extensive list with descriptions.

Teachers offer academic assistance to students, supporting students' understandings of the day's lessons or a unit of study, answering students' questions, and offering suggestions in ways to prepare for upcoming quizzes or tests. View our Resource Program page for more information about the school's resource offerings.