Middle School Academic Highlights

At St. David's, we celebrate the middle school years, recognizing their formative potential for shaping hearts, minds and imaginations.

Students in St. David's Middle School are shepherded through this critical developmental period with love, honor, and grace. As they enter the Middle School, students are greeted with a caring faculty who seek to foster growth and responsibility in a challenging and nurturing academic environment. Our Middle School faculty love to teach early adolescents because they bring to the classroom a wealth of curiosity and enthusiasm. The team strategically utilizes the unique strengths of Middle School students to reinforce a connection to and a love for learning.  

Middle School Curriculum

The Middle School curriculum is focused on allowing students to pursue their interests and find their calling. The academic program includes: 

• Mathematics: Students can take on of two levels of math courses in fifth-seventh grades. In eighth grade, three levels of math are offered. Most students complete St. David's Middle School having completed Algebra I, with some also having completed Geometry. 
• Science: Students take a course in each of the three main branches of science, including life, earth and physical sciences. 
• Fine Arts: All Middle School students select from choir, band, theater, or visual arts each year to develop their appreciation of and skills in Fine Arts.
• Language: All fifth grade students take an introductory course in Latin, Via Latina. Beginning in sixth grade, students can choose to add modern language to their studies.
• Computer Science and Technology: Sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students can take a variety of computer science courses including Computer Science Discoveries, Lego Robotics, Innovation and Design, and Elements of Engineering. 
• Physical Education: All students in fifth and sixth grade have PE classes that meet every other day. Students in seventh and eighth grades can also elect to take a lifetime sports elective.
• Advisory: The advisory program supports whole-child development through social, emotional, academic, and executive functioning instruction and guidance.
• Recess: Students have daily recess to allow them the opportunity to increase their physical movement each day. 
• Study Hall: Students have study hall every other school day to allow them to receive help from teachers and work on homework during the school day.
• Electives: In seventh and eighth grades, students select an elective each term. Some of the offerings include Forensic Science, Writing Studio, Civil War History, and Shakespeare 101.

For more information on our Middle School Curriculum, plese view our Curriculum Guide.

Significant milestones in the Middle School include:

• Fifth Grade: Shark Tank Innovation Project, bowling and IMAX field trips and Medieval Days
• Sixth Grade: Fall overnight team-building trip and Global Innovations fair
• Seventh Grade: Fall overnight trip to Fort Caswell
• Eighth Grade: Fall overnight trip to Charleston, SC

Students are gradually given increased indepdence as they demonstrate increased responsibility. By the tiime they complete eighth grade, students are fully prepared to embrace the wealth of opportunities that await them in Upper School.