Middle School

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Grades 6 - 8

Confidence. Leadership. Engagement. Throughout Middle School at Providence Day, students experience developmentally appropriate opportunities to form a strong sense of identity and purpose. We strive to help them cultivate appreciation of the arts, athletics and the world around them. Our students leave the Middle School with a solid academic and social-emotional foundation that will prepare them for success in Upper School.

Curriculum

Students in each grade take required courses in English, Science, Math, History, and Physical Education. As a school with a global emphasis, we have many students who take several years of a world language during middle school, and students may also take advantage of opportunities for world travel.

Students can round out their schedules with electives such as Computer Apps, Global Issues, Creative Writing, STEM courses including Engineering and Robotics, Theatre, Band, Chorus, and Strings.

Middle School Course of Study

Lee Tappy
Head of Middle School

Bobby Thompson
Middle School Dean of Students

Dr. Kendrick Liles
Assistant Dean of Students

aerial shot of Middle School students working on their iPads and laptops — Honor Code
Students are introduced to the Honor Code in middle school and quickly grasp the value and importance of integrity, especially when combined with greater responsibility and freedom.

At Providence Day School, we believe that both personal and academic integrity are of primary importance. Students are extended an unqualified trust and are expected to exhibit honor. An honorable student does not lie, cheat, or steal. Each individual is responsible for his or her own conduct, keeping in mind that individual actions set an example for others. Faculty and administration support the students’ understanding and development of honor in an effort to foster pride in themselves and in the school.

Legacy Houses
Middle School has introduced “Legacy Houses” named after former Middle School faculty who have left lasting impressions upon the division and school. The purpose of the community building program, in the spirit of the Hogwarts houses in the Harry Potter series, is to give students a chance to form relationships and bonds across grade levels as well as to participate in activities that promote a healthy and fun competition between the houses — such as competing for the Murdock Cup (named after a legendary former teacher and coach, the late Gil Murdock), to be awarded to a house with the most points at the end of a school year. Students are “sorted” into their houses and learn about their respective “legends,” character traits, crests, mottos, and rules for each house throughout the year.

Students working in the raised beds of Charger Gardens — Social Responsibility
In Middle School, the Providence Day emphasis on social responsibility focuses on empathy and grade-level partnerships with public schools. In 6th grade, students are kindergarten buddies with Movement School students. In 7th grade, students become first grade buddies with Winterfield Elementary students. And in 8th grade, students form partnerships with their counterparts at Wilson STEM School.

Capstone

6th Grade

The sixth grade capstone is a collaborative, problem-solving experience in which students are engaged in the design of real-world solutions based around the theme of “building community.”

While the capstone days take place at the end of the 6th grade year, the 6th grade team sets the stage for their spring capstone work in the fall. Throughout the fall semester, 6th graders take part in various activities designed with “community-building” in mind. After spring break, sixth graders are introduced to six sub-themes related to “building community” on our campus. They include building relationships, healthy living, environmental responsibility, digital citizenship, traditions, and equity and inclusion. Each student selects sub-themes that interest them. Sorted by students’ choices, teams of approximately ten students are created. In May, these teams collaborate during their capstone days. Each team is led by a 6th grade teacher who guides their group through a problem-solving process. The goal for each team is to design a product, policy, or experience that positively impacts the PD community. At the end of their three-day capstone experience, teams present their solutions and designs to their peers. Some of these designs have become a part of our middle school culture.

7th Grade

The seventh grade class continues to experience empathetic design as an end-of-year capstone project. In May, students work in teams with a faculty facilitator to address the overall theme of inclusion. Ultimately, students will be challenged to design or create an action, product, or experience that makes our city or state more inclusive.

To jump-start the capstone, we invite eleven Community Partners to be a part of this experience with students. In January, the Community Partners come to campus to meet our 7th grade faculty, who give them a framework for how they can share their stories about inclusion. Community Partners then share their expertise, tell their story, and invite curiosity in a way that inspires our 7th graders to want to take action. These presentations either take place during class meetings or they are spread out between English, History, and Science classes throughout the spring.

Our Community Partners represent a wide range of experiences and perspectives centered around the theme of inclusion. In May, students choose a Community Partner and will work collaboratively in a small group to design a possible community solution for them.

8th Grade

Eighth grade students take part in a capstone project during the winter exam period. The 8th grade capstone connects to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Students rank topics that are inspiring to them, and groups are made from those rankings.

Students are asked to work towards multiple goals surrounding these topics. First, they research and define a problem they want to solve related to their UN topic, then evaluate an existing solution to this problem. Then, they design an experience for younger students that helps them understand the complexity of this issue. Not only do we want to give students a chance to think deeper about world issues, we also want to use this opportunity to help students develop their collaboration and communication skills.

Clubs and Activities

Middle School offers a wide variety of clubs that promote leadership and collaboration while allowing students to explore their talents and interests beyond the classroom.

From Model U.N. to Battle of the Books to Art Club to the Middle School play or musical to extracurricular STEM clubs and Student Council, we place an emphasis on allowing students the room to uncover new passions, strengths, and leadership skills.

Seventh and eighth graders may participate in a variety of sports. Service learning is also emphasized, and the great majority of our students participate in service activities, cultivating an awareness of social responsibility and our potential impact on the local and global community.