Middle School Life

The Middle School chapel program is a family affair.

Dating back to the founding of the school in 1910, our weekly Chapel service celebrates the Judeo-Christian values and beliefs that undergrid all of our Western traditions.

Drawing from within, the Middle School Chapel program includes both faculty and students who share inspirational moral messages as part of the goal to address the spiritual dimension of life as stated in the School's philosophy. Appropriate to Middle School and Middle Schoolers, chapel is tangible and real, expressed with life stories, humor, and a deep sense of compassion. It is love expressed. It is community at its best!

For more information about Chapel at St. Anne's-Belfield School, please click here. Read More >

Middle school special events seek to provide a supplement to our school program. Some events are directly related to what our students learn; some events assist in community building. All events aim to engage and round-out the middle school experience.

Examples of some special events are:

• Assemblies on the honor code
• A speaker on geopolitical intelligence gathering
• A performance by a visiting a capella group
• A presentation by a French filmmaker
• 7th and 8th grade dances
• A student-faculty volleyball competition
• Team-building and ropes courses at Triple C Camp
• 8th grade exhibitions
• The 5th Grade African Festival
• The spring drama production
• Field trips to Colonial American and Civil War sites, science and art museums, the Washington National Cathedral, National Air and Space Museum and the Frontier Culture Museum
• The Festival of the Book.

Read More >

Community service is an important facet of school life. In many ways, St. Anne's-Belfield students reach out to the greater Charlottesville community and beyond.

In the Middle School, we see this service as a manifestation of what we teach in Chapel and of our own affirming community. Some of the service initiatives and projects we do include:

• Joining the Boys and Girls Club bike rally
• Knitting caps for the needy
• Collecting food to assist families at Thanksgiving
• The Angel Tree Christmas project
• Providing supplies for Meals on Wheels
• Raising money for cancer research, the SPCA , the Red Cross, and the Heifer project
• Participating in the Alzheimer's walk
• Sending unclaimed clothing to street children in Soweto

Read More >

The Middle School is proud to adhere to the school-wide honor code as a vital part of our community.

The honor code states: “I will not lie, cheat or steal.” It is posted in each classroom. In addition, students write a pledge, at the teacher's request, on work such as tests: “This is my own work. My signature is my pledge.” Teachers use this same pledge in grades 5-8 in order to consistently reinforce the importance of honorable behavior in our community.

In 2003, several members of the faculty began an initiative to address honor code education in the Middle School. They began with the premise that honorable behavior is so important that it must be taught directly in our school and that it must be regularly brought before the eyes of students. They further decided that honor education must be seen in the larger context of character education; that chapel and the honor code must be tied closely together; and that education about honorable behavior must be integrated into our classes in order to be truly effective.

Each fall, advisors directly address the honor code with their advisees, including a definition of what lying, cheating and stealing mean in our school community. At least twice a year, we host Honor Days, in which a chapel program presents a moral lesson that includes issues pertinent to life in a community of honor. After chapel, in mixed groups of grades 5 through 8, students then participate in seminars run by Middle School faculty members; these groups discuss the application of the chapel lesson to students' lives. Finally, in subsequent classes, a core teacher in all four Middle School grades presents an assignment that develops the ideas set out in the chapel and seminar programs. The Middle School honor education committee is establishing an ever-expanding database of materials that teachers can use for lessons on honorable behavior. These materials include videos, plays, poems, short stories, and more.

Read More >

The Middle School is proud to offer a broad and diverse selection of clubs.

Art Club
Students in the art club this trimester are exploring clay by using the wheel and a variety of decorating techniques. Last trimester, students were exploring the media of drawing and painting. Always a surprise and many paths to explore, the Art club gives students a chance to explore personal expression outside of the Art class.

Badminton
Join the world of Badminton! Through the reflex and dexterity challenges of a fast-paced racket sport, students have fun while developing coordination and reflexes.

Boat Club
Students build wooden boats from scratch, and in the process develop woodworking techniques, knowledge of tools, and patience.

Calligraphy
Students practice and refine their skills in medieval calligraphy and illumination. Perfect for the creative and detail-oriented artist.

Chess
Students meet in head-to-head combat on the chessboard. The challenge is both to refine their game and to survive.

Games of Strategy and Logic
Stratego, Risk, UpWords, and a host of other games build the backbone of this club- who can be the master strategist?

Latinoamerican Dance
Students practice the steps of Latinoamerican dance to a variety of beats. Both partner and solo dances are included.

Mirabella (Literary Magazine)
Refining the writing process, learning to edit for publication, and figuring out the intricacies of producing a literary journal are hallmarks of this club.

Mama’s Kitchen
This service club is dedicated to feeding neighbors in need. Students celebrate food by meeting and eating fun foods each week during lunch and the club period. They make their own meals together or sometimes bring in dishes to share. Club members learn about neighbors in need of food and about the organizations that are already in place to help the economically disadvantaged in our area. They plan special activities that provide food for those in need, such holding fundraising events or or volunteering in soup kitchens.

MathCounts
Students in grades 6-8 have the opportunity to participate in MathCounts, a math competition for talented and enthusiastic math students. Beginning in the fall, interested students spend an hour per week honing their math skills, learning new topics, and having fun! In January, 8 students are chosen to represent St. Anne's-Belfield School at the regional competition. Individual and team competitions take place in February at Blue Ridge Community College with opportunities for advancement to the state competition in Richmond.

Mountain Biking
Adventure on the local trails, refine your riding skills, and have fun outside on your set of wheels. Helmets required.

Needleworks
Knitting, crocheting, sewing, and an exchange of useful, artistic knowledge are hallmarks of the Needleworks club. One of our most popular clubs, students get to make their own clothing and accessories.

Photography
Developing the photographer’s eye and practicing the techniques of good photography, the Photography Club provides a crucible for the young shutterbug to hone the skills of mastery through observation, consulting with a professional, and by sharing success.

Self Defense
Learn the basics of self defense. Students in this club learn techniques for dealing with common attacks and challenging situations, including non-physical forms of assertion and escape. Appropriate for all ability and confidence levels.

Silver Key Club
The Silver Key Club was established in 2007-2008 as an 8th grade student leadership group. This group, selected by faculty, serves as ambassadors for the Middle School. Silver Key members, like their Upper School counterparts in the Gold Key Club, help with admissions touring and various Middle School functions. Silver Key members also consult with the Middle School Head and grade-level leaders on a variety of topics.

STAB Flix
Watch, learn, and discuss meaningful films from all genres. The STAB Flix club members learn to appreciate film through exposure and discussion.

Yoga
Take a few minutes to realign in the middle of a Wednesday! The Yoga club improves centeredness, flexibility, breathing, and alignment.

Read More >