Middle School Curriculum

7th grade students working on a science project

Middle school is robust period of academic and personal growth for students, as they transition from elementary school to high school. Kirby offers a nurturing environment during this transformative phase, fostering the growth of students from childhood to adolescence through the encouragement of peers and the mentorship of compassionate educators. At Kirby, students encounter an essential equilibrium encompassing discipline and structure, engaging and delightful learning, as well as enhanced autonomy and accountability, all of which contribute to their holistic intellectual, personal, and social advancement.

Strong Educational Foundation

Middle school students build their educational foundation with courses in English, history, mathematics, science, world language, and the arts, and develop mind-body awareness through the Social Emotional Learning and Physical Health (SELPH) and athletics programs. Homework averages 1½ to 2 hours per night. 6th graders take their courses as pass/fail without letter grades, though they receive significant feedback on their performance in the form of standards-based grading, which is individualized by the teacher of each of their classes. In 7th grade, students may begin taking high school-level foreign language and mathematics.

Developmentally appropriate transition period

Our combined middle and high school campus is a cohesive space that provides a safe environment in which to foster cross-grade relationships and peer-to-peer mentoring.

There are many classes in which you might find 7th and 11th grade students working side by side on the same problem. Middle school students are inspired by the focus and engagement of the older students, while high school students straddle the role of learner and mentor, which improves their focus and comportment.

We encourage our middle school students to explore their creative, intellectual and physical potential in a playful and supportive environment. This is achieved through ample mentorship, supportive staff, and an educational foundation that fosters the development of intellectual and creative capacity, mind-body awareness, critical-thinking, problem solving skills and how to work effectively--both independently and in groups.

Skills needed to succeed in college prep environment

To succeed in a rigorous college preparatory environment, students need to develop solid study skills. Sixth through eighth grade students receive embedded study skills training in all classes.

The middle school study skills training breaks down the various skills into organization and time management, planning, note-taking techniques, and test-taking strategies. Self-advocacy is also developed with frequent opportunities for leadership roles. Students are frequently invited into increasingly complex academic challenges with positive reinforcement through scaffolding and regular feedback.

Textbook List

"In inculcating a community of respect and open dialogue in my classroom, I need to model the citizenship and comportment that I expect of my students, which keeps my community compass true."

Dr. Jason Brooks, Humanities Faculty

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