Middle School

Our holistic curriculum nurtures every child’s academic ability, character development and skillset—head, heart and hands—whilst tending to their social, physical, emotional, and cultural needs and academic welfare. Our Middle School program uses guided inquiry, collaboration, and communication to provide an environment in which students learn problem-solving skills, critical thinking and subject competencies.

Our Middle School science classes are based on an integrated science
curriculum. From Grades 6–8, students study earth, physical and life science, growing in their understanding of the structure of the world around them. Learning goes deeper at every grade, and during these courses students learn the Scientific Method and put their knowledge to use via lab-based science projects.

Social studies begin in Grades 6 and 7, teaching students about world geography, cultures and people groups. Students then build on this understanding by studying ancient civilizations in Grade 8, and modern world history in Grade 9.

Students focus on writing narratives, informational pieces, and persuasive / argumentative writing. This gives students the skills they need for writing well, and prepares them for High School coursework. Students read both fiction and non-fiction, and across all the Language Arts courses they continually practice and refine their speaking and listening skills.

At Grade 6, math combines the practice of foundational skills with an
exploration of basic pre-algebraic and geometric concepts. In Grade 7, students focus on solving equations; then, in Grade 8, they grapple with algebra. We show them how to handle increasingly complex linear functions and equation manipulation, and teach them exponential and quadratic equations, FOILing and factoring, properties of exponents, plus some basics in trigonometry.

Students begin to learn and experiment with a variety of creative techniques, delve into some art history, encounter the work of different practitioners, and explore what it means to be an artist. Through choir, band and theatre options, we want every student to be a self-sufficient musician, with a knowledge of instrumental technique and an appreciation of the work involved in creating a performance, by the time they reach High School.

Our physical education program gives our students a physical outlet during the school day and teaches them foundational skills for participation in competitive and recreational athletics including soccer, volleyball, basketball, track and field, tennis and lacrosse. The goal of our Middle
School PE program is to create an inclusive atmosphere where students can try out new sports, and build enough confidence to take part at a competitive level.

We launched an Advisory Program in 2021–22, which pairs students with teachers to build connections, develop social and emotional skills, and have fun.