Middle School
The Middle School offers students many routes to success. Small classes, assignments designed for diverse learning strengths, and a challenging curriculum that stresses the process of learning enable young adolescents to become self-directed learners.
Middle School students study Math, Science, Spanish, History, Literature, Cultures, and Geography in classes that are linked across disciplines. The 7th grade study of Lewis and Clark's Corps of Discovery, for example, connects the expedition's impact on scientific knowledge and on Native American cultures in the 19th century to vital Pacific Northwest issues of today: salmon health, the ecology of Hanford, dams, whaling rights, politics.
Humanities > Classes emphasize creative and analytical writing through Writers' Workshops and small- and large-scale research projects.
Science > Teachers see science as a verb, something students can and should do for themselves. Sixth grade Biology, Ecology, Chemistry, and Physics units teach students to formulate important questions and to design lab experiments to find answers. Eighth graders explore Oceanography, Atmospheric Science, Astronomy, and environmental issues.
Math > Teachers challenge students to develop critical thinking and logical habits of mind. The 6th grade program builds a strong foundation of basic skills; 7th graders learn to apply math skills to many disciplines; and three levels of Algebra prepare 8th graders for the demands of high school math. Sections are designed for different levels of skill.
Spanish > Language classes are taught in Spanish from the first day. Studying life in Spanish-speaking countries builds proficiency.
Morning meeting begins each day by building students' awareness of belonging to the whole Middle School community. A sense of membership in the larger, all-school community comes from attending weekly Community Meetings and working in 6th through 12th grade Environment teams. Middle schoolers eat lunch with all grades and faculty, participate in all-school celebrations, and join students from every grade on overnight skiing, biking, hiking, and kayaking trips.
Advisors for each student ensure that families and the school work together closely throughout the Middle School years. To enhance our effectiveness in working with students with special needs, the school contracts with an independent learning specialist who consults regularly with teachers. Our students graduate from 8th grade with confidence in their own voices, a sense of obligation to and concern for the world outside their own country, and with the academic skills they will need to excel in high school.
"Teachers aren't hiding behind text books. What you learn is straight from their minds. Everything they teach has their own personality to it. Each one is different."
— Lauren L., '12
"We have so much to do here: there are the hall guitars, the piano in the Commons, and everyone can do so many things. No one has just one skill."
— Leland S., '12
"People feel so at home being themselves and being creative. No one has to be just one way. And we have a really cool building!"
— Leila B., '12
"I like all the outdoor stuff. I went backpacking the first week and met three or four high school kids. It was awesome to get to know them."
— Trevor M., '12
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