Middle School

Welcome to the Middle School!

At Pace Academy, our teachers and students cherish the special years between the Lower School and the Upper School. We provide an environment that meets students where they are and encourages and celebrates their development into young men and women—into citizens of the world.

We believe that the Middle School years are a time for students to enjoy and employ their natural enthusiasm, curiosity, and passion for learning in the classroom and beyond. Our teachers are not only experts in their fields, they are experts at understanding this age group. They work tirelessly to create classroom experiences that match students’ energy, and their efforts result in a rigorous and colorful curriculum that students embrace and genuinely appreciate.

Middle School is also a time for exploration. With vibrant programs in the arts, music, drama, debate, technology and athletics, we encourage students to seek out their passions and try new things, all the while maintaining the crucial balance of fun, relaxation and time to enjoy friendships. Program directors work together to ensure that our students are able to participate in all activities that spark their interests, while helping them discover and develop the many talents they possess.

We believe the Pace Academy Middle School is the optimal size—large enough to field a full array of opportunities but small enough to foster a nurturing environment for every individual. Every student is known; every student is loved; and every student is carefully guided on his or her own path towards independence.

We stand ready and excited to ensure that they love the journey.

Graham Anthony
Head of Middle School

In This Section

Curriculum

Finding one's balance is a key component of the Middle School experience—and our curriculum reflects that philosophy. While helping manage academic expectations with extracurricular interests, we instill in our students a strong educational foundation while exposing them to opportunities that spark new passions, build life skills and encourage curiosity.

Guided by our expert faculty, all Middle School students engage in these core subjects:

English

Critical reading, creative thinking and effective writing are the goals of our Middle School English program. At all levels, students dive into age-appropriate poetry and prose that parallel and strengthen units in history and art. Discussing themes and conflicts in literature enhances thinking skills, while contributing to students’ sense of self and fostering empathy. This greater awareness is the basis for writing assignments designed to improve communication skills. Of course, study of vocabulary and grammar is integrated into the curriculum every step of the way.

Math

Our Middle School math teachers use an explanation/examples/exploration approach to equip students in the fundamentals while inspiring them to seek innovative solutions. From fractions, decimals and percents, to the four basic operations of algebraic functions, students master concepts that prepare them to enter Upper School math courses. The math curriculum offers regular and honors-level courses at each grade level.

History

To become global citizens, students must first understand the world around them. This process begins in sixth grade as students explore ancient and medieval history in a course that culminates in a festive medieval banquet—we are Pace Knights, after all. Seventh graders use primary sources to gain a broad understanding of U.S. history, while eighth-grade students use current events to discover the conflicts and triumphs of the Renaissance through the 20th century. Courses place great importance on the practices of historical thinking, the study of primary sources, analysis of current events, research and essay writing.

Science

In keeping with Middle School students’ natural yearning for discovery, our science curriculum spans diverse topics. Our sixth-grade science course, Systems & Interactions, offers students a broad survey of the sciences while emphasizing lab and study skills. Life science follows in seventh grade and teaches students how to look at the natural world, moving from cells to organs and body systems. In eighth-grade, students explore weather and climate, the earth's waters and interior, geology, erosion, weathering and deposition.

World Languages

Elective Courses

In the spirit of exploration, we incorporate a multitude of choices into the Middle School schedule. Students can choose between four yearlong course options – band, chorus, strings, or STEAM – the latter of which is an umbrella for robotics and programming, design and innovation, engineering and making, digital expression, and cutting edge. In addition to band, chorus, strings, and STEAM, seventh and eighth-grade elective offerings expand to include a yearlong studio art class option and a semester-long debate option, the latter of which students take in addition to their arts or STEAM elective, not instead of it.

Physical Education

Discovery Courses

Our Discovery program provides every student the opportunity to excel in co-curricular activities that enrich their core academic skills. Discovery courses equip students with the tools they need to take creative risks, ask questions, think critically and communicate effectively. Our custom-crafted curricula inspire young minds to push beyond their comfort zones as they become global citizens. Based on grade level, students rotate quarterly through classes such as art, tech studio, drama, study strategies, engaged citizenship and Holocaust & Civil Rights studies.

STEAM

Students who choose the STEAM elective explore the following: robotics and programming, engineering and making, digital expression, design and innovation, and cutting edge technology and careers. Students in STEAM spend one semester with the First Lego League robotics curriculum to practice programming, engineering and design innovation. They have the opportunity, but are not required, to form a team to compete at the state and, potentially, national level. The second semester of STEAM involves various engineering projects such as mousetrap cars and prosthetic design, digital expression such as graphic design and 3D modeling, and a personal curiosity project. Examples of past curiosity projects have included re-designing sports helmets or modeling a Tesla Valve. The STEAM path is popular with students who enjoy building things, working with CNC machines, experimenting with ideas, working in groups, and engaging in self directed learning.

Students work on the following skill areas:

Integrative, Critical and Systems Thinking
Activism and Entrepreneurship
Collaboration and Communication
Research and Discovery
Project Management

Support and Resources

We believe that Middle School is an ideal time to help students transition from teacher-led learning to independent study. There is a support system in place to encourage students to push beyond their comfort zones while providing assistance and guidance.

Dean System

Google Classroom

Sixth graders and all new seventh- and eighth-grade students will be given an individual Google email account during the first weeks of school upon completion of computer training. Homework assignments, including tests and major projects, will be posted each day in Google Classroom. All Middle School students will also be given a specific Middle School agenda, and teachers will encourage students to hand-write their assignments in their agendas at the end of each class; however, the posts in the Google Classroom will serve as helpful homework reminders.

Extra Help

Advisory Groups

Academic Resource Center (ARC)

Our students bring different strengths into the classroom. But some need help capitalizing on those strengths. The ARC equips all students with the skills and tools they need to thrive in the classroom and provides targeted support for those with learning differences.

From binder organization and note-taking tips to peer tutoring, test prep and study strategies courses, our teachers and learning specialists create customized plans for success. Students visit the ARC of their own accord or through faculty referral, and may drop in before school, during recess, at specified times throughout the day or after school. The Backpack Club, which is held by the learning specialists every afternoon, is a designated after-school extra-help opportunity to make sure students have what they need for homework, projects and developing executive functioning skills.

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In This Section

Middle School

Graham Anthony
Head of Middle School

In This Section

Curriculum

English

Math

History

Science

World Languages

Elective Courses

Physical Education

Discovery Courses

STEAM

Support and Resources

Dean System

Google Classroom

Extra Help

Advisory Groups

Academic Resource Center (ARC)

Guidance Counselors

Middle School

Graham Anthony Head of Middle School

Graham Anthony
Head of Middle School