Curriculum

Our Middle School program is built around our curriculum, geared to the varying interests of our students while providing a solid foundation in basic skills. The curriculum includes subject area studies as well as social and emotional learning. We also foster growth through physical education and athletics, service, and opportunities in the creative arts.

morning Classes

All students take morning classes grouped by their grade level in math, language arts, science, and social studies throughout the year. Morning classes may also include Spanish, physical education, art, dance, and conflict resolution. Courses range either the entire year or a single trimester, and periods are usually 45 minutes long. Our Middle School serves students in ages equivalent to fifth grade (First Years) through eighth grade (Fourth Years).

Elective Classes

The remainder of the day is scheduled for electives that meet Monday, Wednesday, and Friday or Tuesday and Thursday. Students, with the counsel of their parents and advisors, register for three elective courses per trimester that are both interesting to them and suited to their needs and abilities. An emphasis is placed on students actively experimenting and problem-solving for themselves and being encouraged to take increasing responsibility for themselves. The curricular requirement areas for electives are:

• Personal Growth
• Performing Art
• Visual Art
• Physical Education
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
• General

Exploratorium

Exploratorium consists of three mini-sessions in the last three weeks of school. This is a time for students to choose from a wide variety of in-depth course offerings, lasting from three to five days each. Exploratorium enables students to deeply engage in a specific topic for an extended period of time. Because of the unique format of Exploratorium, students are able to have a completely different, more intense school experience than they usually do. These experiences involve dabbling in new fields of study, delving deeply into topics that are of particular interest, taking risks, building groups, and exploring relationships with themselves and others. Exploratorium offerings include overnight trips, scientific discoveries, community service and outreach, creative writing, career explorations, and the fine arts.