Middle School

The central theme of sixth-grade is journeys. At the core of the curriculum is the idea that people’s connections to places are the result of many factors.

Sixth graders study world cultures through the lenses of religion, geography, history, music and arts. At the beginning of the year, students take turns touching a spinning globe—the spots where a student’s finger lands determines the country they will investigate all year, culminating in a Festival of the World in May.

In science, a comprehensive biology curriculum invites students on a different journey to investigate cells, consider ethical questions and learn about the human body. In every subject, students are encouraged to expand their thinking—through complex mathematical operations, conversational nuances in their modern language classes, and discussions with advisors and peers.

One of the highlights of seventh grade is the Witness Stones Project. Seventh graders partner with local historians to examine the personal stories of individuals who were  enslaved in Connecticut. The project culminates with the students leading a community event to  laying a stone of honor and recognition at the residence of the enslaved person. This is just one project in the scope of the Humanities class that focuses on exploring early American history and beginning to understand how identity shapes experience and the history that is told.

In other classes, students delve deeper into abstract thinking and complex topics. Algebra is at the heart of math classes. In science, students build generators powered by the wind, and design, build, and launch rockets to test principles of aerodynamics and pressure. The introduction of Latin, the Middle School play and a spectacular penciled self-portrait add artistic and cultural texture to the year.

Eighth grade is a multi-dimensional year. The visual art curriculum focuses on sculpture, culminating in the students designing and presenting a proposal for the installation of a sculpture in a public space to a panel of experts . Students play Caribbean  steel pans and explore the foundations of dance in their movement class.

The 8th grade Humanities course, whose theme is “A place at the table,” allows students to study a variety of issues and events—past and present—through the interconnected lenses of race, class and gender. They hone their skills in reading, writing, research and presentation, with particular emphasis on close reading. Students examine situations from a variety of angles, incorporate textual evidence in their writing and find their own voices as students and citizens. A three-day trip to Washington, D.C. brings the history, people and themes alive. Students encounter locations, artifacts and landmarks while strengthening bonds of friendship and community with their teachers and classmates.

Ninth grade is a year of powerful shared experiences. The year begins with a three-day class trip to Cape Cod. Through biking, hiking and other outdoor activities, the students engage in team-building and push their personal limits, building confidence they take into their ninth grade year.

Back at school, they begin their high school studies with a humanities course focused on cultures and conflict; an English course that delves into contemporary literature and writing; a field-based biology course; advanced study of modern language and Latin; continuation of  Caribbean  steel pans; and sophisticated techniques in arts. In the winter, ninth graders prepare and perform a class play in which every student has a role on stage or behind the scenes, and in the spring they host the annual Poetry cabaret. At the heart of the ninth grade year is the opportunity to travel overseas.

Learn more about the Ninth Grade Experience