Filled with changes and challenges, the Middle School years form a unique, exciting period in a child's life. The central challenge is to develop a sense of identity, to discover talents, and to pursue interests.

The Middle School curriculum, which links the general knowledge of  Lower School with the specialization of High School, is designed for students whose intellectual growth may be temporarily outpaced by their rapid physical and social development and whose needs for reassurance from adults and peers conflict with the increasing need to be independent--to question, explore, and choose.

The strong academic program emphasizes communication and analysis. As learning begins to separate into "subjects," each course reflects the curriculum's overall emphasis on writing, speaking, and critical thinking. Students rotate through periods of instruction which include math, science, English, social studies, and foreign language.

Middle School students learn best when actively immersed in their studies. They can be found designing scientific experiments, editing stories and poems for publication, using the library's computer network to research topics, dressing in costume to recreate historical events, or guiding rafts together down a river.

Enrichment courses and physical education provide balance and interest to the daily schedule. Extracurricular mini-courses, outdoor experiential activities, and excursions to historical sites and cultural events extend learning beyond the classroom. Students choose and pursue their interests in music, art, athletics,  dramatics, computers, and student government.

Middle School faculty members work together in grade level teams to provide the attention and support so important during the Middle School years. Advisory group activities center around issues such as peer relationships, conflict resolution, and strategies for effective communication.

Faculty advisors serve as mentors to guide advisees as they develop academically and socially. The advisors also communicate with parents and other teachers, forging a critical partnership whose purpose is to promote a successful Middle School experience.

The 40,000 square foot Gordon Wing houses the Middle School as well as additional High School and office space.