Middle School - Pace Academy Middle School Welcome to the Middle School! At Pace Academy, our teachers and students cherish the special years between the Lower and Upper Schools because, in the Garcia Family Middle School, we provide an environment that meets students where they are and encourages and celebrates their development into young adults—into citizens of the world. We encourage Middle School students to explore their interests and to embrace relentless curiosity, fostering passion for learning both in and outside of the classroom. Our teachers, experts in their fields and in understanding this unique age group, create innovative classroom experiences that match their students’ energy. Our rigorous curriculum empowers students to welcome challenges, approach setbacks without fear of failure and exceed their own expectations. Middle School is also a time for exploration. With vibrant and diverse programs in STEAM and design, visual arts, music, drama, debate, athletics and global leadership, students try new things every day and learn to love learning. Program directors collaborate to provide opportunities and coordinate activities that allow each student to discover and develop their unique talents, academic and otherwise. We believe that our Middle School community provides the optimal structure for motivated learners; we balance myriad opportunities for involvement and independence with individualized attention in a nurturing environment. This thoughtful balance allows for increased participation, stronger student-teacher relationships, additional leadership experiences and a greater sense of belonging. Every student is known, loved and carefully guided on their path to the Upper School—and beyond. We stand ready and excited to ensure that they love the journey. Graham Anthony Head of Middle School middle School Hours Extra help 7:45–8:10 a.m. School Day 8:15 a.m. - 3 p.m. Students in the Middle School Number of teachers in the Middle School Percent students of color in the Middle School Students in an average Middle School class Math History Science World Languages Elective Courses Physical Education Discovery Courses STEAM Critical reading, creative thinking and effective writing are the goals of our Middle School English program. At all levels, students dive into age-appropriate poetry and prose that parallel and strengthen units in history and art. Discussing themes and conflicts in literature enhances thinking skills, while contributing to students’ sense of self and fostering empathy. This greater awareness is the basis for writing assignments designed to improve communication skills. Of course, study of vocabulary and grammar is integrated into the curriculum every step of the way. Our Middle School math teachers use an explanation/examples/exploration approach to equip students in the fundamentals while inspiring them to seek innovative solutions. From fractions, decimals and percents, to the four basic operations of algebraic functions, students master concepts that prepare them to enter Upper School math courses. The math curriculum offers regular and honors-level courses at each grade level. To become global citizens, students must first understand the world around them. This process begins in sixth grade as students explore ancient and medieval history in a course that culminates in a festive medieval banquet—we are Pace Knights, after all. Seventh graders use primary sources to gain a broad understanding of U.S. history, while eighth-grade students use current events to discover the conflicts and triumphs of the Renaissance through the 20th century. Courses place great importance on the practices of historical thinking, the study of primary sources, analysis of current events, research and essay writing. In keeping with Middle School students’ natural yearning for discovery, our science curriculum spans diverse topics. Our sixth-grade science course, Systems & Interactions, offers students a broad survey of the sciences while emphasizing lab and study skills. Life science follows in seventh grade and teaches students how to look at the natural world, moving from cells to organs and body systems. In eighth-grade, students explore weather and climate, the earth's waters and interior, geology, erosion, weathering and deposition. Students choose French, Latin or Spanish during their time in the Middle School. These world-language courses emphasize reading, writing, speaking and listening, as well as the study of history and culture. In the spirit of exploration, we incorporate a multitude of choices into the Middle School schedule. Students can choose between four yearlong course options – band, chorus, strings, or STEAM – the latter of which is an umbrella for robotics and programming, design and innovation, engineering and making, digital expression, and cutting edge. In addition to band, chorus, strings, and STEAM, seventh and eighth-grade elective offerings expand to include a yearlong studio art class option and a semester-long debate option, the latter of which students take in addition to their arts or STEAM elective, not instead of it. All Middle Schoolers participate in daily physical education classes that improve students’ physical skills while developing thinking, creating and feeling capacities. Our Discovery program provides every student the opportunity to excel in co-curricular activities that enrich their core academic skills. Discovery courses equip students with the tools they need to take creative risks, ask questions, think critically and communicate effectively. Our custom-crafted curricula inspire young minds to push beyond their comfort zones as they become global citizens. Based on grade level, students rotate quarterly through classes such as art, tech studio, drama, study strategies, engaged citizenship and Holocaust & Civil Rights studies. Students who choose the STEAM elective explore robotics and programming, engineering and making, digital expression, design and innovation, and cuttingedge technology and careers. Students in STEAM spend one semester with the FIRST LEGO League robotics curriculum to practice programming, engineering and design innovation. They have the opportunity, but are not required, to form a team to compete at the state and, potentially, national levels. The second semester of STEAM involves various engineering projects such as mousetrap cars and prosthetic design, digital expression such as graphic design and 3D modeling, and a personal curiosity project. Examples of past curiosity projects have included re-designing sports helmets or modeling a Tesla Valve. The STEAM path is popular with students who enjoy building things, working with CNC machines, experimenting with ideas, working in groups and engaging in self-directed learning. Students work on the following skill areas: Integrative, Critical and Systems Thinking Activism and Entrepreneurship Collaboration and Communication Research and Discovery Project Management Dean System Google Classroom Extra Help Advisory Groups Academic Resource Center (ARC) Guidance Counselors Two deans—one for girls and one for boys—support each grade in our Middle School. These administrators serve as liaisons between faculty and parents, monitoring the academic, emotional and social well being of the students in their care. Sixth graders and all new seventh- and eighth-grade students will be given an individual Google email account during the first weeks of school upon completion of computer training. Homework assignments, including tests and major projects, will be posted each day in Google Classroom. All Middle School students will also be given a specific Middle School agenda, and teachers will encourage students to hand-write their assignments in their agendas at the end of each class; however, the posts in the Google Classroom will serve as helpful homework reminders. Our teachers open their doors every afternoon and provide extra help—assistance with classwork, test preparation and answers to questions. Everyone needs a mentor, and our advisory program ensures that each student has a great one. In consistent one-on-one get-togethers, faculty advisors offer academic, social, and emotional counsel to help students navigate and celebrate middle-school milestones. Our students bring different strengths into the classroom. But some need help capitalizing on those strengths. The ARC equips all students with the skills and tools they need to thrive in the classroom and provides targeted support for those with learning differences. From binder organization and note-taking tips to peer tutoring, test prep and study strategies courses, our teachers and learning specialists create customized plans for success. Students visit the ARC of their own accord or through faculty referral, and may drop in before school, during recess, at specified times throughout the day or after school. The Backpack Club, which is held by the learning specialists every afternoon, is a designated after-school extra-help opportunity to make sure students have what they need for homework, projects and developing executive functioning skills. We know that children must feel loved, valued and respected in order to thrive, so our Middle School counselors partner with students, teachers and families to ensure students meet their potential in and out of the classroom.