Middle School

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.

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.

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.

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.

Students choose French, Latin or Spanish during their time in the Middle School. These world-language courses emphasize reading, writing, speaking and listening, as well as the study of history and culture.

All Middle Schoolers participate in daily physical education classes that improve students’ physical skills while developing thinking, creating and feeling capacities.

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.

Students who choose the STEAM elective explore robotics and programming, engineering and making, digital expression, design and innovation, and cuttingedge 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 levels. 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