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Middle School (6th - 8th Grades)

In Middle School, our mission is to build on the solid academic work students have done in the lower school and to help them prepare for High School and beyond. While the lower school is about introducing the CIRCLE values (Community, Independence, Respect, Courage, Leadership, and Effort,) – Middle school is about mastering these values, and connecting them to the wider world.

Click here for our 2019-2020 Middle School Advantage Presentation 

We recognize that the Middle School years are crucial for cementing good habits of learning, and for reaching students who both struggle and excel. We understand that this is a time of great change, as students grow from their childhood into teen years and we see their social and emotional growth as important as their intellectual and academic growth.

In Middle School, the academic model focuses on leadership, collaboration, and authentic learning.

What does that look like? 
In an English Language Arts class, students might examine the news of protest over a high school with a Native American mascot, and then write persuasive essays for each side in the debate. In science, students could study bacterial growth by taking samples from around the school, growing bacteria in a culture and documenting their findings.

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(Please note many of these pictures were taken pre-COVID)

Accelerated Math: All students are invited to apply for this track where course material is presented in an accelerated manner, culminating with Algebra in 8th Grade. As long as students are able to keep up with course work, they can continue. 

Language: Students continue with Spanish  

Peer to Peer: Older students often teach what they have learned to younger peers: In middle school, they learn about physics, and then partner with Pre-kindergarten students who are studying balls. This “peer to peer” teaching focuses students on what they are learning and cements what they discover.

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 Students also benefit from programs like Touchstones, an innovative and nationally recognized curriculum that encourages students to lead discussions on important issues, in a Socratic environment. Teachers facilitate a discussion, but do not lead it, allowing students to take the reins. In one study, students were analyzing a passage of the classic French text, “Democracy in Action,” by Alexis de Tocqueville. 

Advisory
Once a week students meet for this social/emotional learning curriculum course. 

Monday Morning Meeting
Weekly the entire middle school gathers for a session that includes Student Council announcements, team-building exercises, and "Student Shout Outs" to recognize those who go above and beyond. 

Schedule
Middle school students meet for 9 periods, have lunch at 11:30 a.m. and have daily recess. 

National History Day:
All students participate in this project, which is also a statewide contest. 

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6th Grade Hero Project
Students pick a hero to study, create a report and then present that hero to students in other grades, parents, and faculty. 

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High School Admissions
We have a robust program to help guide students and parents through the process to move on to High School, from For full information, click here.  

With an approach that addresses the whole student, that nurtures collaboration, and encourages independence we know we are providing an education that helps our students excel. 















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