Middle School

6th Grade Language Arts

Sixth Grade Language Arts develops students as thoughtful readers, writers, and communicators through the study of rich literature, informational texts, history, art, and ideas. Throughout the year, students explore topics including the Great Depression, advocacy and social change, culture and artistic tradition, and epic literature and the hero’s journey.

Reading and writing are intentionally connected. Students analyze increasingly complex texts, participate in evidence-based discussions, and write for a variety of purposes. Vocabulary, grammar, research, and close reading are integrated throughout the course as students learn to develop clear ideas, support their thinking with evidence, and communicate with greater depth and precision.

7th Grade Language Arts

Seventh Grade Language Arts challenges students to engage deeply with complex literature and informational texts while exploring important questions about history, culture, society, and human experience. Studies include the contributions of Navajo Code Talkers during World War II, the effects of disease on individuals and societies, and exploration and survival.

Students strengthen their ability to analyze texts, compare perspectives, evaluate evidence, conduct research, and participate thoughtfully in academic discussions. Writing includes narrative, informative, argumentative, and research-based work, with increasing emphasis on developing strong claims, selecting relevant evidence, organizing complex ideas, and revising effectively.

6th Grade Mathematics

Sixth Grade Mathematics provides an accelerated mathematical experience, with students working approximately one grade level ahead. Students develop their understanding of ratios and proportional relationships, operations with positive and negative rational numbers, expressions, equations and inequalities, geometry, percent, probability, and statistics.

Throughout the course, students are expected to do more than memorize procedures. They learn to recognize mathematical relationships, select effective strategies, explain their reasoning, and apply their understanding to increasingly complex and unfamiliar problems.

7th Grade Mathematics

Seventh Grade Mathematics continues Ivy Hall’s accelerated pathway, with students completing mathematics typically taught at the eighth-grade level. Students work with integer exponents, scientific notation, square and cube roots, and irrational numbers before moving into transformations, congruence, similarity, linear equations, systems of equations, and functions. Students also investigate patterns and relationships within data.

The course emphasizes conceptual understanding alongside mathematical fluency. Students represent relationships through equations, tables, graphs, and real-world situations, solve increasingly complex problems, and explain and justify their mathematical reasoning. This strong foundation prepares students to transition confidently into Ivy Hall’s high school mathematics sequence.

6th Grade Social Studies

Sixth Grade Social Studies explores the world that emerged following the fall of the Roman Empire and the development of societies throughout the Middle Ages. Students examine life in medieval Europe, including the political, economic, religious, and social forces that shaped people’s lives during this period.

Students broaden their perspective by studying the development and influence of Christianity and Islam and exploring societies in Africa and China during the same historical period. Throughout the course, students examine sources, consider different perspectives, identify cause and effect, and make connections among cultures, ideas, geography, religion, trade, and historical change.

7th Grade American Studies

Seventh Grade American Studies provides an in-depth exploration of the people, ideas, conflicts, and events that shaped the United States. Students examine American history through historical narratives as well as primary and secondary sources, including substantial reading focused on the American Revolution and the founding of the nation.

Rather than simply memorizing names, dates, and events, students analyze decisions, consider competing perspectives, examine cause and effect, and use historical evidence to develop and support their own conclusions. The course builds both a strong foundation in American history and the critical-thinking and historical-analysis skills students will need for high school.

Middle School Science

Middle School Science brings sixth and seventh grade students together to investigate the natural world through hands-on learning, experimentation, and scientific inquiry. The curriculum rotates between Life Science and Earth Science, allowing students to explore each area in depth.

Students learn to ask scientific questions, conduct investigations, analyze data, develop models, evaluate evidence, and communicate their conclusions. Whether examining living systems or the processes that shape our planet, students build both scientific knowledge and the reasoning and problem-solving skills that prepare them for Ivy Hall’s rigorous high school science sequence.

Fine Arts gives students opportunities to explore creativity through a variety of artistic experiences, including visual art, drama, music, and other forms of creative expression. Throughout the year, students have opportunities to try different disciplines, develop new skills, and discover areas of artistic interest.

Students learn through creating, performing, experimenting, and collaborating with others. The course encourages creative thinking, confidence, self-expression, and a willingness to try something new while giving students a broad introduction to the arts.

Computers helps students develop the technology skills they need to be capable and responsible digital learners. Students gain experience using digital tools for creating, communicating, organizing information, and solving problems while becoming more confident and independent with technology.

The course also helps students think critically about how technology is used in everyday life. Students practice responsible digital citizenship and develop skills they can apply across their academic work and in an increasingly technology-driven world.

Physical Education encourages students to develop healthy habits while building fitness, coordination, teamwork, and confidence. Students participate in a variety of physical activities and games that emphasize movement, cooperation, sportsmanship, and personal growth.

Students are encouraged to challenge themselves, work successfully with others, and recognize the connection between physical activity and lifelong health and well-being.

Leadership provides direct instruction in the principles of the 7 Habits and gives students regular opportunities to put those principles into practice. Students learn to take responsibility for their choices, set meaningful goals, prioritize what matters, communicate effectively, work collaboratively, and approach challenges with a problem-solving mindset.

Rather than treating leadership as simply holding a position or being in charge, the course helps students understand leadership as the ability to make thoughtful choices and positively influence themselves and others. Students practice these habits in ways that can be applied at school, at home, and in their relationships with others

Entrepreneurship introduces students to the process of turning ideas into action. Students explore how entrepreneurs identify problems and opportunities, develop solutions, understand an audience, communicate ideas, and create something of value.

Through hands-on projects and problem-solving, students practice creativity, planning, collaboration, communication, and decision-making. The course encourages students to be curious and resourceful, learn from challenges, and develop the confidence to take an idea from concept to reality.

Literacy provides dedicated time for students to strengthen the reading skills that support learning across every academic subject. Students work on comprehension, vocabulary, fluency, and strategies for understanding increasingly complex texts.

Instruction and practice can be responsive to individual student needs, allowing students to strengthen areas that need additional attention while continuing to grow as capable, confident, and independent readers.

Advisory is intentionally designed around the unique developmental needs of middle school students. It provides a consistent small-group setting where students can build relationships, develop a sense of belonging, and have meaningful conversations about the social, emotional, and personal experiences that are an important part of the middle school years.

Through discussion, reflection, and shared experiences, students explore topics related to relationships, emotions, identity, independence, and navigating challenges. Advisory gives students a trusted adult and a consistent group of peers with whom they can connect as they learn more about themselves and grow through this important stage of development.