Middle School Program
Academics
Explore. Take Chances.
Middle School
Middle School at Northwest provides a solid foundation for students to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally as they navigate the critical middle school years.
Students are encouraged to try new things and step out of their comfort area, so they can develop a sense of who they are and what they can accomplish. As they move through the sixth, seventh and eighth grades, they’ll begin to take on more of a self-advocacy role for their journey, supported along the way—academically and socially—by their advisor. By 8th Grade, they begin exploring the passions they've developed, independence they’ve gained and disciplines they've discovered in preparation for Upper School.
Exploration is the Path to Discovery
Dedicated Academic Team
Our close-knit Middle School has its own Director and Dean of Students, and teachers experienced in teaching middle school. This...
Dedicated Academic Team
Our close-knit Middle School has its own Director and Dean of Students, and teachers experienced in teaching middle school. This team fosters community and a love of learning at the age when students are developing their attitudes towards school.
Foundational Skills
The Foundations program ensures our sixth graders adjust to secondary school socially, academically, and technologically. They’ll work on mastering organizational...
Foundational Skills
The Foundations program ensures our sixth graders adjust to secondary school socially, academically, and technologically. They’ll work on mastering organizational skills, build laptop skills, and will be introduced to Mandarin and Spanish. It’s the perfect start for their seven-year journey.
Identity & Belonging
Students learn about themselves and explore their differences through participation in affinity groups and days of learning. The grade level...
Identity & Belonging
Students learn about themselves and explore their differences through participation in affinity groups and days of learning. The grade level experiences, and advisory meetings introduce belonging and community. Collectively these experiences promote the capacity for acceptance and connection with peers.
Collaboration and Teamwork
We create a fun and supportive sports experience for middle school students of all abilities and experience levels. Students will...
Collaboration and Teamwork
We create a fun and supportive sports experience for middle school students of all abilities and experience levels. Students will develop self-confidence, a sense of community, and respect for the different strengths of their teammates. They will also learn to work together for a common goal and learn about the importance of building healthy habits.
Stretch Experiences
Hiking, climbing, camping, skiing, biking. These experiences foster independence and build confidence. Our outdoor program is designed to engage our...
Stretch Experiences
Hiking, climbing, camping, skiing, biking. These experiences foster independence and build confidence. Our outdoor program is designed to engage our youngest students and adapts as their skills develop. Summits are another chance for students to discovered uncharted territory. These are two-week, multi-grade dives into topics that stretch the mind – like, Sustainability in Agriculture, Eco Fashion, or Park Design.
Arts Exploration
An arts education opens the mind to new ways of seeing the world. It builds character, confidence and improves academic...
Arts Exploration
An arts education opens the mind to new ways of seeing the world. It builds character, confidence and improves academic outcomes. Middle school students begin to develop creative thinking skills as they learn to explore artistically. We believe every mind is a creative one, waiting to be discovered.
Raising Money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
6th and 7th Graders from the Rainbow Connection affinity group, decided to have a bake sale to raise money for children in need. With support from their Humanities teacher, Alonzo Collins, they sent a cashier's check for $301.00 to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, selected for their important work treating childhood cancers and pediatric diseases. The Rainbow Connection affinity group welcomes middle school students who want to relate on topics of mutual concern or have a marginalized identity.
Curriculum Details by Grade
Sixth Grade
The design of the sixth-grade curriculum facilitates each student’s integration into the middle school community.
Seventh Grade
Designed to meet 7th graders where they are in both their personal and academic growth.
Eighth Grade
Designed to support and engage 8th graders as they step into leadership roles and complete their final year of Middle School.
Sixth Grade
The design of the sixth-grade curriculum facilitates each student’s integration into the middle school community. Sixth graders start out on a path to success through Foundations, a class that helps our newest students adjust to secondary school socially, academically, and technologically.
Complementing the academic curriculum are weekly study halls staffed by middle school advisors to help ease the transition from elementary school. Students also meet weekly in advisory groups to develop social, academic and community building skills.
Requirements
Participate in the equivalent of eight courses plus Summits* and Environment**. Humanities counts as two courses and students take two Arts courses each trimester.
Summits* — an immersive, two-week long, interdisciplinary, multi-grade, deep dive into a topic, offered during the last two weeks of school.
Environment** — Caring for our school environment for 10 minutes, 2 days per week.
- Two Arts classes
- Humanities (Integrates History/Social Studies with the study of English/Language Arts)
- Foundations (includes 6 weeks of Chinese and 6 weeks of Spanish)
- Math 6
- Science
- PE, Health, and Wellness
Seventh Grade
Designed to meet 7th graders where they are in both their personal and academic growth. We leverage their natural curiosity, process of identity formation, need to connect to peers and the wider community and strong sense of justice. In the classroom and larger program, we engage students in a balance of independent and collaborative work, inquiry-based thinking, and creative projects.
Requirements
Participate in the equivalent of eight courses plus Summits* and Environment**. Humanities counts as two courses and students take two Arts courses each trimester.
Summits* — an immersive, two-week long, interdisciplinary, multi-grade, deep dive into a topic, offered during the last two weeks of school.
Environment** — Caring for our school environment for 10 minutes, 2 days per week.
- Two Arts classes
- Humanities (Integrates History/Social Studies with the study of English/Language Arts)
- Mandarin or Spanish
- Math 7 or Algebra 1
- Science
- PE, Health, and Wellness
Eighth Grade
Designed to support and engage 8th graders as they step into leadership roles and complete their final year of Middle School. We work with students to help them foster a deepening sense of ownership over their learning as they move toward self-advocacy. The goal is to equip them with the skills and tools needed for the challenges of 8th Grade while preparing them for the challenges of Upper School and beyond.
Requirements
Participate in the equivalent of eight courses plus Summits* and Environment**. Humanities counts as two courses and students take two Arts courses each trimester.
Summits* — an immersive, two-week long, interdisciplinary, multi-grade, deep dive into a topic, offered during the last two weeks of school.
Environment** — Caring for our school environment for 10 minutes, 2 days per week.
- Two Arts classes
- Humanities (double block, integrating history and language arts)
- Chinese or Spanish
- Algebra 1 or Geometry
- Science
- PE, Health and Wellness
