Sixth graders consider their roles as individuals in a larger group and study how communities in the world have defined themselves historically and culturally. The curriculum incorporates world geography, ecology, and international literature.

The 7th Grade curriculum covers valuable perspectives on private, public, personal, and community identities. Students confront important questions including how literature reveals who we are and others’ points of view, and what the study of American history reveals about who we are as Americans.

In 8th Grade, students learn to formulate and defend their own claims through research, argument, and writing.

Students are assigned an advisor upon entering Middle School and advisory groups meet together throughout the week in “House.” Groups share snacks, announcements, and camaraderie. Students stay in the same House for all three years of Middle School.

The classroom environment is characterized by an inquiring atmosphere requiring student interaction, investigation, and communication. Individual as well as small group work and whole-class discussions are planned for most classes.

In Middle School science class, students are encouraged to think, explore, and behave like scientists. Science is an ongoing, evolving discipline, not simply a body of facts, and the more students are able to participate in the scientific process, the more keenly they come to understand this.

The chief goal of the Park School Modern Language Program is for students to learn how, when, and why to say what to whom in another language. Enjoyment of language and culture and confidence in one’s speaking ability are the main emphases of the Middle School program.

Park’s Middle School mathematics curriculum is an integrated program that teaches students to view math in a holistic manner. Numbers, geometry, algebra, graphing, probability, statistics, trigonometry, spreadsheets, and basic programming are the major mathematical fields studied during grades six through eight.

The 8th Grade PE curriculum is elective-based, allowing students to explore their varied interests and talents, and to learn about different activities that will be useful into adulthood.

All students who wish to try out for our interscholastic teams are included and receive playing time. Students sign up for teams before each season and compete at the a, b, or c level. Middle School teams may include Co-ed Cross Country, Boys’ and Girls’ Soccer, Field Hockey, Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball, Co-ed Squash, Baseball, Softball, Co-Ed Tennis, and Boys’ and Girls’ Lacrosse.

The overall goals of the Middle School music program are to help students become more knowledgeable about the world of music and to become more skilled performers and listeners.

Students are given opportunities to experience the challenge and joy of making music with others.

The visual arts department develops the individual’s capacity for seeing and responding to the world with a sense of wonder and discernment. In our classes, art instruction honors personal voice while addressing developmental needs. Students develop a repertoire of skills and a body of knowledge about art.

All 8th Grade students participate in Advoc8, a multi-disciplinary project designed for students to use skills and knowledge developed during Middle School in order to take on roles as advocates for change. During Advoc8, students choose a topic about which they are passionate and, with faculty and peer collaboration, create an individualized or group project that culminates in the creation of authentic, innovative, solution-oriented advocacy.

Outdoor education trips at Park aim to strengthen the social, emotional, moral, and practical dimensions of each student’s character, simultaneously providing opportunities to extend classroom learning.

We make the most of the need for social interaction by providing regular opportunities for collaboration and group projects. We engage students’ curiosity and challenge them to think critically about everything from long division to American history.

Park's Middle School teachers understand the complexities of this developmental phase and are committed to creating a stimulating, safe, and caring atmosphere. They are dedicated to supporting their students as they confront the many challenges of adolescence.

On the last day of school, students in 8th Grade take part in a closing ceremony celebrating the end of their Middle School experience, and launching them into Upper School.