The Middle School

Carolina Day's Middle School program (grades 6-8) is designed to meet the needs of a unique group of learners -- young adolescents. As students are experiencing a period of rapid growth and change, physically and emotionally, they are supported and guided as they find solutions to problems, make decisions, and take significant steps toward independence in learning. Instruction at this level must be vastly different from elementary and high school, and in the Middle School we strive to effectively bridge the gap between the two.

Teachers provide a safe, secure, and caring environment in which the students can find success and live up to their potential. Here children benefit from a demanding, relevant, and exciting curriculum, an activity-filled blend of structure, balance, and flexibility. And fun.

The middle school program seeks to move each student closer to discovering his or her individual interests, abilities, and values. At the same time, we place great importance on collaborative activities that help all of our students develop as classmates, teammates, and invested members of their community. Our emphasis on higher-order thinking and decision-making skills rounds out a program that we believe puts education in motion -- and embodies Carolina Day's mission of educating the mind, the heart, the body, and the human spirit.

Students in the sixth and seventh grades take their core classes in single-gender groupings. Read more by clicking this link.

The interdisciplinary curriculum and enthusiastic teaching teams help students make connections between their schoolwork and the world around them. Language arts, social studies, science, math, and modern language form the core of a challenging academic program where students are engaged in hands-on, exploratory learning.

Physical education, intramurals, art, music, and computer lab are integral to the total program and provide additional opportunities for students to pursue their passions and fully develop their talents. Middle schoolers can also get involved in athletics and exploratory activities.

In addition to a rigorous academic and co-curricular program, the Middle School is committed to helping young people develop into concerned and involved citizens of their community and world. Students are encouraged to value integrity, demonstrate respect for others and the environment, and to take responsibility for their actions. Community service, advisor-advisee relationships, leadership opportunities, and class trips are springboards for personal growth. In a climate of acceptance and support, students learn to collaborate as members of a team while pursuing their own personal quest for excellence.

The broad and balanced curriculum emphasizes challenging academics, critical and independent thinking skills, organizational skills, athletics, and community service. Our advisor system allows us to monitor individual learning styles and to facilitate the learning process within a group setting.

The Middle School program is committed to an ongoing review of the curriculum to ensure that it is developmentally appropriate and consistent for students across all grade levels, as well as within each level. We recognize that learning is a process which is most successful when viewed as a whole and when all subjects are integrated.

Cross-Curricular Goals and Objectives

• To develop a sense of community responsibility
• To develop problem-solving and decision-making skills
• To develop interpersonal and communication skills
• To develop positive character traits and life skills
• To develop study and research skills
• To develop critical and creative thinking skills
• To acquire skills in the use of technology
• To build and expand factual knowledge and skill development
• To encourage a love of the arts

A scene from "Once on This Island, Jr." - the middle school's musical production.

Course of Study

Middle School subjects are integrated, where appropriate, so that students explore topics or themes through language arts, social studies, science, math, music, and art. Teachers in the various disciplines work together to coordinate learning experiences that actively involve students in the community and natural world. There is emphasis on sequential skill development in mathematics, grammar, and vocabulary, while students become comfortable with the processes of reading, writing, and scientific inquiry.

2007-2008 Parent Meeting Dates