Middle Division

Overview

A Rigorous Academic Foundation

Academic disciplines in the Middle Division are organized by both department and grade level, ensuring a coordinated and supportive learning experience. Faculty work closely with grade deans while also collaborating within departments that guide students’ progress across all three years in English, History, Mathematics, Science, and World Languages. This structure strengthens each discipline while fostering a cohesive academic community. Students benefit from a wide range of cross-curricular experiences, including the Classics program, Summer Reading Book Clubs, Read-In, Williamsburg Trip, and Art History lectures. Opportunities for exploration expand through Visual Arts, Music, Theatre, Physical Education, and Computing and Communications, which share resources with the Upper Division and allow students to pursue interests at varying levels and paces. For an in-depth look at our academics, view our Middle Division Curriculum Guide. 

Recognizing the wide range of interests and abilities typical of young adolescents, the Middle Division balances academic rigor with choice, individual expression, and strong support systems. Teachers emphasize higher-level thinking, communication skills, organization, and time management, while students receive guidance from advisors, grade deans, academic centers, and student support staff. A rich array of activities—including athletics, clubs, publications, theatre, and age-appropriate traditions such as poetry slams, talent shows, field days, and field trips—complements classroom learning. Community-building is further strengthened through shared experiences, including the eighth-grade John Dorr Nature Laboratory program, where students learn collaboration, leadership, and responsibility through experiential challenges that underscore the importance of both individual growth and collective success.

Guiding Students Toward Young Adulthood

The Middle Division years represent a vital transition from childhood to young adulthood, marked by growing independence, responsibility, and self-discovery. As students explore who they are and who they want to become, clear expectations for conduct and a shared commitment from all adults help create a safe, inclusive environment where students feel accepted and supported. With increasing autonomy, students learn to make thoughtful choices about how they use their free time, whether socializing, engaging with teachers, or accessing academic support programs, using both indoor and outdoor campus spaces. These experiences foster independence, strengthen relationships across a diverse community, and support students’ academic, social, and emotional growth as they prepare for the next stage of their education.