Based on a foundation of best practices in education, the newest brain research, and standards by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) standards, the middle school curriculum is a dynamic, growing and changing force. Mastery of essential concepts and skills combined with support of individual strengths helps students become dedicated and reflective learners.
A hands-on, minds-on, interdisciplinary curriculum guides students to apply concepts to the issues in their community and world as well as in their own lives.
Sixth Grade
At this time in their lives, students undergo cognitive, social and emotional and physical transitions. They learn and practice the habits of mind essential to succeeding in middle school and outside of the classroom. Students are invited to learn responsibility and organization, master specific study skills and make healthy choices. The daily schedule, classroom environment and behavioral expectations are geared to the needs of early adolescents.
Highlights of the sixth grade include
- Community building-focused outdoor education experience that includes ropes course and ocean ecology.
- Daily advisory sessions focusing on transition to middle school, building respect, community and self-esteem.
- Integrated, project-based approach across the curriculum.
- Writing and Reading Workshop approach with an emphasis on writing and reading strategies, building a writing and reading life, volume of writing and reading, and student choice.
- After school sports and athletic teams.
- Integrated science and math curriculum surveys the scientific method, measurement, data use and analysis, geometry, density, and astronomy and simple machines.
- Offering an online place every day for students to learn if there are factors that prevent a child from being able to attend school on campus on a given day.
- Study of ancient civilizations around the world.
- 1:1 Chromebook program.
- Design Technology program introduces students to a variety of digital and analog technologies, along with the Design Thinking framework.
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion skills integrated across the curriculum.
Seventh Grade
Students journey from concrete thinking to more abstract, conceptual understanding. An interdisciplinary approach guides students through problem solving and critical thinking processes to find meaningful relationships between what they learn and their everyday lives.
Highlights of the seventh grade include
- Interdisciplinary, dual language approach to learning.
- Community oriented weeklong outdoor education experience involving rock climbing, hiking and exploring caves, with an additional focus on astronomy.
- Daily advisory sessions on identity development and building community.
- Reading and Writing Workshop approach with an emphasis on reading and writing strategies, deep study of a variety of genres, book clubs, and voracious independent reading.
- Study of Middle Ages cultures around the world.
- Scientific study of bacteria and viruses.
- Three-week learning experience in Guilin, China.
- Community oriented weeklong outdoor education experience involving activities such as rock climbing, hiking, exploring caves and astronomy.
- 1:1 Chromebook program.
- Design Technology program that focuses on application of tools and skills to develop student inventions.
- A focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion skills across the curriculum.
Eighth Grade
Students engage in an increasingly collaborative and democratic learning environment emphasizing choice, independence and intellectual self-reflection. They enjoy opportunities for self-directed inquiry based on their emerging status as bilingual, multicultural individuals.
Highlights of the eighth grade include
- Interdisciplinary, dual language approach to learning.
- Daily advisory sessions based on developing leadership and skills for balancing a healthy lifestyle and the demands of an interconnected world.
- Community oriented weeklong outdoor education experience involving activities such as rock climbing, hiking, exploring caves and astronomy.
- Integrated units across subjects, including Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion skills.
- Service learning within San Francisco’s Chinese community.
- Reading and Writing Workshop approach with an emphasis on student agency, reading and writing strategies, deep study of a variety of genres, book clubs, and voracious independent reading.
- Study of US Government and History.
- Opportunity to participate in a two-week service learning trip to Yunnan, China.
- 1:1 Chromebook program
- Design Technology program that offers opportunities for longer student projects and community showcases.