Middle School (6-8)
A few important things to know about the Middle School
We nurture development during these critical years.
Middle Schoolers are developing a higher order of thinking, yet they still possess a youthful exuberance. Our program is designed to acknowledge and nurture both of these qualities. Our sixth grade works a little differently than our seventh and eighth grades—because sixth graders are at a different stage in their development. Sixth graders take a required set of courses, where they learn how to manage their time, prioritize their tasks, develop study skills, and take responsibility for their work. We also emphasize the development of executive functioning skills in every course in addition to study skills. All the while, students are expanding their capacity to think like scholars and honing critical skills that serve as the foundation for academic excellence.
We are collaborative.
We intentionally create opportunities for Middle School students to see that learning can—and should!– cross boundaries. What you learn in History, Math, English, and Science can be further explored in Art, Music, and the Graphics lab. Our Middle School faculty are collaborative, coordinating with one another so their class discussions and projects intertwine and intersect. The result is an immersive learning experience that inspires collaboration and spirited discussions inside and outside the classroom.
Our schedule is built for this age.
On a typical day, our Middle School students take three or four classes in 70-minute blocks—enough time to get settled, get engaged, and prepare for what’s ahead. They also have Community Time, when they hold club meetings (exploring new interests and connecting with friends) or meet with their Advisory groups. And they have daily Tutorial, dedicated time during the school day to work one-on-one with a teacher or collaborate on a group project. The schedule is just right for this age: structured, varied, and balanced.
We learn through experience.
Some of the most important work we do happens outside the classroom. This year, 6th grade visited Syracuse University’s Challenge Course on south campus, while 7th grade visited the Hoffman Challenge Course at the Cornell Team and Leadership Center—an opportunity to connect mind and body, build community, and challenge themselves in new ways. Eighth graders take an annual trip to Washington, D.C., where they explore the culture and history of the nation’s capital and get direct experience with community building and urban education.
There’s much more to know about the Middle School. Perusing the Middle School course guide is a good place to start—but the best way to get a sense of who we are and how we work is to Inquire to Admissions to start a conversation or schedule a campus tour!