Middle School

In a rigorous yet supportive atmosphere, the Middle School curriculum asks students to continue to acquire as much knowledge as they can, to be organized and disciplined, to recognize and respect the rights of others, and to be curious about how they and their studies are a part of a larger world.

Fundamental to the curriculum is a commitment to teaching young adolescent students how to take charge of their own academic success at a time of rapid physical and social change. A typical schedule for a fifth and sixth grade student includes instruction in four basic subjects: English, mathematics, science, and history.

In fifth grade, English and history are integrated. The teachers act as advisors. Students in grades five and six may also continue their study of French or Spanish, if they have shown themselves able to meet the challenge of learning a second language.

A typical schedule for a seventh or eighth grade student includes instruction in five basic subjects: English, mathematics, science, history, and Latin. Some students continue their study of French or Spanish in their seventh and eighth grade years.

In addition to these basic subjects, Middle School students also take courses in fine arts and physical education. Health instruction is included at every grade level. Middle School students have an advisory period in which they may receive extra help from a teacher or from peers, talk with an advisor, or begin their homework. A weekly chapel program, field trips, a community service program, and assemblies complement the daily schedule of all Middle School students.