In literature, students explore compelling works of fiction, poetry, and literary nonfiction from around the world. They read seven whole-class books each year, and through discussion, debate, and written responses, students learn to analyze and interpret their deeper meanings while developing an appreciation for literary style. Books on the reading list include The Lighting Thief by Rick Riordan, Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis, and Dragon Wings by Laurence Yep.

Our students experience history as the fascinating story of humankind, one that’s extraordinarily relevant to their modern lives. We don’t approach history as a checklist of facts and figures. Rather, we lead students in investigations of the ideas and movements that altered the course of history and continue to shape our world.

Middle schoolers become more self-aware while navigating positive relationships and social conflict. Specialists support the development and implementation of emotional wellness initiatives school-wide, in small groups, and through one-on-one instruction. Social-emotional learning is a key piece of the whole child curriculum. Our curriculum follows the New York State Social Emotional Learning Benchmarks which is aligned with the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) benchmarks.