Curriculum

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 weekly 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 20^th 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.

Our Middle School STEAM elective incorporates all of the disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) and applies them to the following five areas:

1. Robotics & Programming

2. Engineering & Making

3. Digital Expression

4. Design & Innovation

5. Cutting Edge

In the Robotics & Programming section of the course, students use both block and script programming to design and code robots for competitions. 

In Engineering & Making, students use modeling software and fabrication tools such as 3D printers and other CNC machines to create prototypes.

Digital Expression allows students to use digital tools such as graphic editing, animation and videography to express their ideas

In the Design & Innovation portion of the class, students work through design cycles—from empathy and ideation to prototyping and testing—to address an identified problem or opportunity. 

Then, in Cutting Edge, students explore advancements in STEAM practices and careers.

Cutting across all of these sections, students in the STEAM track also pursue a Curiosity Project(s), an independently driven part of the course in which students explore an area of personal interest. Examples of past projects range from building a model Tesla valve to designing safer football helmets.