Middle School is a critical period in a child’s academic and social-emotional growth. It is a time of transition that can present many physical, emotional, and social changes. Children may have issues with self-esteem, confidence. They may want independence, but still need parental guidance. It is important for you, the parent, to stay involved and know what’s going on in their lives. These years lay the foundation for high school and beyond as students begin exploring and preparing for college.
Sixth Grade
When students kick off their middle school experience in sixth grade, they:
- Read a wide variety of literature, analyzing author styles, word choice, point of view, and structure;
- Write narratives and arguments while developing language, style and tone;
- Learn algebra, statistics, ratios, and one-variable equations;
- Understand different forms of energy and life on Earth;
- Explore the geography and history of the Eastern hemisphere, including Africa, Asia, Europe, and Australia.
Seventh Grade
In seventh grade, students:
- Write in a variety of genres and styles, including argumentative essays with multiple perspectives;
- Solve math problems using rate, ratios, proportions, and percentages;
- Expand their knowledge of geometry including area, surface, perimeter, and volume;
- Study the Earth’s surface changes over time;
- Learn City, State, and U.S. history; from Pre-Colonial times – Civil War
- Explore visual arts, music, dance, or theater.
Eighth Grade
With one full school year left before starting high school, eighth graders:
- Interpret and analyze a range of texts that prepare them for high-school level demands;
- Study different writing techniques, including analogy, allusion, and irony;
- Evaluate the logic and reasoning of argumentative texts;
- Work with graphs to solve algebraic equations, use the Pythagorean Theorem, and analyze 2D and 3D figures;
- Identify how humans affect the environment;
- Study the laws of motion that explain the movement of objects on Earth and across the Solar System;
- Explore the Reconstruction, industrialization, global war, and modern eras of U.S. history;
- Expand knowledge of visual arts, music, dance, and/or theater.
Start Getting Ready for High School
It is never too early for middle school students to start preparing for high school. Visit our High Schoolsection to learn about the high school admission processes, find schools with programs that match your interests, and dates for open houses, information sessions, and deadlines.
