Middle School

 

The Middle Years: Grades 5 through 8

Grade 5 is the “bridge” year into the Middle Years. During this year, students begin to use lockers, rotate classes, select electives, and benefit from specialized core teachers. Students start to have more autonomy in expanding their knowledge, enabled by the close supervision of a homeroom teacher. Consistent with the nature of the bridge year, this grade retains many of the familiar Lower School traditions like class parties and birthday celebrations, and students receive more guidance regarding homework, prioritizing and class preparation. Students also begin and end their day in the same classroom.

The Advisory Program

Beginning in grade 6, students are assigned Advisors. The following is a description of an effective advisory program from the National Middle School Association:
Advisory programs are designed to deal directly with the affective needs of [young adolescents]. Activities may range from non-formal interactions to use of systematically developed units whose organizing center are drawn from the common problems, needs, interests, or concerns of [young adolescents], such as "getting along with peers," "living in the school," or "developing self-concept." In the best of these programs, [young adolescents] have an opportunity to get to know one adult really well, to find a point of security in the institution, and to learn about what it means to be a healthy human being.
Click here to read more about advisory programs.

Honors Classes

Students in grades 6, 7 and 8 have the opportunity to apply for and enroll in honors classes in language arts, math, history and science.  The curriculum in these classes is crafted around the philosophical belief that advanced students need extended learning opportunities outside of the standard curriculum. Their goal is to provide extensions to the core curriculum that add depth and complexity.  Resources, units and lessons are designed to nurture and develop advanced academic potential in all learners. Honors classes encourage students to think conceptually, to make connections across time, place and subject, to perform as a practitioner or scholar in a discipline, and to self-assess and reflect on their learning and learning processes.  These classes offer advanced opportunities for students in the form of accelerated course materials, independent study projects, additional course work at home, and reflective writing. They build on individual academic strengths, develop critical and creative thinking skills, and prepare students for advanced coursework in high school, such as Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and/or The Marine and Oceanographic Academy.
 
Students may select to enroll in one or more of the honors classes with the exception of grade 7 and 8 math and science.  In these situations, students must qualify for honors in both classes to participate. Honors students who successfully complete the course will be given a weighted grade.  This means that a student with an “A” in the class will receive 4.5 grade points for the course instead of the unweighted 4.0.  Students must maintain at least an 85 percent average in each honors class.  If a student falls below this minimum at the quarter, he or she will be put on academic probation for the next quarter.  Students who cannot maintain the minimum average in the honors class after two quarters will be placed in the on-level course offering.

Students in grade 8 can apply for and enroll in honors classes for high school credit. High school credit may be earned in Algebra I, Geometry, Biology and Spanish I.

To apply for honors classes, students must have:

  • At least a 90 percent in the subject for which they are applying and at least a 3.0 unweighted overall GPA. 
  • Two references, including one from their teacher in the subject of interest and one from an advisor or other faculty member. 
  • Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) testing RIT scores demonstrating above-grade-level potential.
  • Completion of summer independent study work.

Enrollment Timeline for Honors Classes:

April              Honors program information is distributed to parents of students rising to grades 6, 7 and 8.

Late April       Students and parents should submit the application and reference letters for honors classes.

April-August   Course selections are confirmed.