The Middle School provides a vitally important time of transition for students in Grades 5 to 9 at the Grammar School. Since its inception in 1998, the Middle School has evolved into a “school within a school” – a lively, spirited component of the total Grammar Experience. It’s a place where students begin to develop more individuality and independence, all within a School with is own unique ambience and identity.
The Middle School is guided by a dedicated, multi-talented faculty team who recognize the unique needs of adolescents – their physical, emotional, intellectual, and social development. Though the pursuit of academic excellence is central to this recognition, the Middle School experience is deeply enriched by its many extra-curricular experiences: collaborative programs; special activities and challenges; clubs; sports; music; and art. While Middle Schoolers continue to be active in the Student House system, many of the activities are organized, and run by Middle School faculty and students. To sustain this range of activity – to define its living, breathing form – the Middle School draws on the enormous talents of its teachers, its students, and the greater school community.
Students of the Middle School learn many valuable life lessons. They continue to learn the value of seriousness and hard work leading to a noble purpose; they develop maturity, self-reliance, commitment to the common good, and they come to realize great pleasure can be experienced in the testing and understanding of self.
Middle School students develop the maturity and confidence needed for success in the HGS Senior School. Each year Middle School students perform in a full-length Shakespearean production. All Middle School students are exposed to an advanced curriculum designed as preparation for the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. In the late Middle grades, students are introduced to Student Leadership through the Student Council and are asked to assume leadership roles within the House System. Proceeding to the Senior School and the IB Diploma Program is a natural progression for our students.