Welcome to Middle School

Durward Brandis, Head of Middle School

Students undergo a tremendous change in the years between fourth grade and ninth grade, perhaps more than during any other four year period in their academic lives. This development is marked by significant cognitive, affective, physical, and social growth. Our goal is to have a Middle School in which grades five through eight are each taught in accordance with the differing needs of each successive age group. These pedagogical differences are articulated in terms of levels of difficulty, expectations of responsibility, and opportunities to exhibit independence, the purpose of which is to transform, as smoothly as possible, incoming fifth graders into outgoing ninth graders.

During the first two years in the Middle School, for example, the fifth and sixth grade students have the security of homerooms. They have the guidance and protection of a homeroom teacher, who oversees their progress and is the main source of reporting to their parents. Students keep their books and personal belongings in their own desks and cubbies. Yet there are differences between the fifth and sixth grades, including, in the sixth grade, more independence on long-term assignments, more exams, more frequent meetings of science, and both math and science taught by specialized teachers.

The seventh and eighth grades are fully departmentalized, with the overseer role played by an advisor. Final exams count more toward the course grade than do the periodic exams in the fifth and sixth grades, although we de-emphasize final exams considerably in the seventh grade. Students keep their personal effects in lockers and are responsible for getting themselves to and from classes on their own.

Assemblies, field days, and some special events are held for grades five through eight, but social events such as parties and dances are generally separated into five/six and seven/eight groupings.

Uniforms are not required in the Middle School, but students are required to adhere to strict dress requirements intended to avoid creating any interference with effective learning.

The seventh and eighth grade survey and elective courses are in a category of required enrichment courses, including performing arts (with a choice of Band, Chorus, Drama, Video Production, Guitar, or Capoeira,) two- and three-dimensional art, computer, media literacy, and health. An optional study hall is offered in lieu of performing arts. The teaching of study skills, often being subject-specific, is folded into the curriculum in each course.

The Middle School is on a trimester schedule in order to more equitably distribute the number of teaching days among the marking periods, taking into consideration the timing of the Middle School trips and the de-emphasis on final exams.