Middle School

Students in middle school deepen their understanding of language arts by developing more sophisticated skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Students read engaging texts and explore a broad range of genres of literature as they make personal connections to ideas across cultures and through history. With a solid foundation of reading and writing skills, students will also study the structure of various texts as they explore literacies in the digital age. Students will use skills like annotation and note-taking to identify poetic devices and figurative language for close reading. Focusing on the traits of effective writing, students create evidence-based responses to literature that reflect analytical and argumentative discourse. Classroom discussions allow students to express their ideas and provide teachers with opportunities to provide individualized feedback and guidance.

Illustrative Math is a problem-based core curriculum rooted in content and practice standards to foster learning and achievement for all. Students learn by doing math through solving problems, developing conceptual understanding, and discussing and defending their reasoning. Teachers build confidence with lessons and curriculum guides that help them facilitate learning and help students make connections between concepts and procedures.  Every activity and lesson in 5M and 5L Math tells a coherent mathematical story across units and grade levels based on both the standards and research-based learning trajectories. This allows students the opportunity to view mathematics as a connected set of ideas and offers them access to mathematics when developed into the overarching design structure of the curriculum.  The accelerated math (5L) comprehensive, standards-aligned, two-course curriculum designed to provide an effective accelerated pathway to Algebra 1 and Geometry.

The middle school math program follows Illustrative Mathematics, published by Kendall Hunt. This is a comprehensive discovery-based curriculum that exposes students to topics spanning algebra, geometry, and statistics via a logical and varied sequence. Throughout the middle school math experience, students will engage with relevant technology, work to develop verbal and written mathematical literacy, and think conceptually about mathematics in both group and individual settings to foster well-roundedness in the multiple disciplines of mathematics.  

6M (On Grade Level): 
The purpose of this 6th grade math sequence is for students to establish a diversified algebraic, geometric, and statistical foundation. Students begin with a geometric unit involving area and surface area of polygons and simple solids. Then, students will explore the relationships between percentages, rates, and ratios and how to solve problems pertaining to each. Students will also receive a thorough introduction to algebraic expressions, equations, the distributive property, as well as visual representations of each. Other topics include fraction division, decimal operations, integers, and the coordinate plane. The course concludes with an elaborate introduction to statistics, including topics such as measures of center, measures of variability, five-number summary, and univariate data distributions. 

6L (Above Grade Level):  
The purpose of this accelerated 6th grade math sequence is for students to establish a diversified algebraic, geometric, and statistical foundation. Students will explore transformations and their connection to scale drawings, similarity, and congruence. Students will then develop their ability to write algebraic expressions to represent practical situations, which evolves into two thorough units where students will write and solve equations and inequalities to represent a variety of contexts. Other topics include linear relationships (including slope-intercept form), functions, volume, exponents, scientific notation, as well as the Pythagorean Theorem and irrational numbers. 

The middle school math program follows Illustrative Mathematics, published by Kendall Hunt. This is a comprehensive discovery-based curriculum that exposes students to topics spanning algebra, geometry, and statistics via a logical and varied sequence. Throughout the middle school math experience, students will engage with relevant technology, work to develop verbal and written mathematical literacy, and think conceptually about mathematics in both group and individual settings to foster well-roundedness in the multiple disciplines of mathematics.

7M (On Grade Level): 
Students will build upon their prior knowledge of rates to explore proportional relationships and their graphs. Students will then learn to write and solve more elaborate linear equations and inequalities representing various practical contexts. Other topics include integer operations, percent increase and decrease, the geometry of circles and solids, angles and their relationships, and probability. 

7L (Above Grade Level):
Students will explore one- and two-variable statistics including data analysis and linear modeling. Students will also build upon their algebraic knowledge from prior years to write and solve linear equations and inequalities in one and two variables representing a variety of practical contexts. Other topics include creating and solving systems of equations, representing exponential relationships and analyzing their graphs, as well as characteristics of functions and function notation. This course culminates in an extensive study of quadratics over two thorough units, in which students will solve quadratic equations using multiple methods, understand the behavior of quadratic relationships, factor quadratic expressions, and explore the role that quadratics play in various fields of study.

The middle school math program follows Illustrative Mathematics, published by Kendall Hunt. This is a comprehensive discovery-based curriculum that exposes students to topics spanning algebra, geometry, and statistics via a logical and varied sequence. Throughout the middle school math experience, students will engage with relevant technology, work to develop verbal and written mathematical literacy, and think conceptually about mathematics in both group and individual settings to foster well-roundedness in the multiple disciplines of mathematics.

8M (On Grade Level): 
Students begin by reviewing and expanding upon their knowledge of transformations, congruence, and similarity. Students will then formally be introduced to slope and its relationship to linear equations, systems of linear equations, and their graphs. Other topics include functions, volume of solids, exponent rules, scientific notation, and Pythagorean Theorem. 8M concludes with an introduction to factoring techniques, solving quadratic equations, and analysis of the graphs of quadratic functions. 

8L (Above Grade Level):
Students begin by learning how to perform geometric constructions and transformations both digitally and by hand. Then, students will use their knowledge of transformations to develop their formal understanding of congruence and similarity between objects. Other topics include proof writing, right triangle numerical trigonometry, solid (three-dimensional) geometry, and coordinate geometry. This sequence concludes with a comprehensive exploration of circles and their many properties, including an introduction to radian measure. If time permits, students will begin a unit on conditional probability.

Middle schoolers are introduced to select aspects of the social sciences (geography, history, political science, economics, sociology, anthropology, and psychology) with increasing levels of conceptual content. Through a combination of primary and secondary sources, student and teacher-directed activities, and current events, students explore both historical and contemporary issues. Research, writing, and public speaking skills are practiced and honed through interdisciplinary projects that connect content across courses of study and help develop an understanding of global cultures. The sixth graders begin the year learning about the everchanging physical changes of our earth, including Pangaea, and map skills and then transition to the development of ancient civilizations of the Indus Valley, early Dynastic China, and Mesoamerica and how these ancient societies continue to impact our lives today. Seventh graders continue to explore the world’s cultures through units devoted to Native American and Indigenous Groups, Islam and the Middle East, and Southeast Asian nations. The year ends with a culminating unit on Diplomacy, Conflict Resolution, and the United Nations. Lastly, eighth-grade students examine the turning points in American History that have shaped our unique American identity as the "City on the Hill," through units on The Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights, World War I, and the Civil Rights Movement.

The study of science helps us understand and give meaning to the universe around us. By learning and practicing the processes by which discoveries are made and proven, Montgomery middle schoolers roll up their sleeves to observe, ask questions, suggest testable explanations, make predictions, test the predictions, and use the results to make new predictions. Experiments in the lab help students practice this process, while advancing both analytical and critical thinking skills. Taking full advantage of our 60-acre campus as a lab, students relate scientific inquiry to their immediate surroundings and come to understand the world around them in a very personal way. In each grade, students are introduced to sequentially more complex concepts in the natural, physical, chemical, and biological sciences.

Grade 6: Hydrology and water conservation; earth science; biology
Grade 7: Conceptual physics (motion, forces, and energy);  intro to matter: solids, liquids, and gases;  Periodic table; cells and organ systems.
Grade 8: Conceptual physics (electricity and magnetism); chemical interactions; waves, sound and light.
 

Following a foundational introduction of Spanish in grades PreK–4 and the option of French or Spanish in Grade 5, middle school students may choose to continue their study of either language in Grades 6–8. Regardless of a student’s point of entry, an integrated review process allows those new to world language study to achieve grade level proficiency quickly.

Whether studying French or Spanish, students work toward written and verbal fluency in a sequentially ascending program that includes listening, speaking, reading, and writing practices. Language study is complemented by cultural explorations that develop students’ global perspectives through an understanding of hispanic and francophone customs, traditions, history, current events, etc.

With a character education program that crosses all grades and all disciplines, Montgomery students have multiple experiences that align with their developmental readiness. 

• The middle school advisory program includes dedicated time to consider seventh and eighth graders’ most pressing issues. This shared experience supports student growth with both peer and adult affirmation. 
• The culminating eighth-grade Design for a Difference project is a year-long study of a person or organization that is making a difference in the world. Students draw on their entire Montgomery experience to fully understand and demonstrate what it means to have an impact. 
• Hands-on service learning projects connect classroom studies to improving the lives of others and are concrete demonstrations of how every student can make a difference.
• Twice weekly non-sectarian Chapel programs, presented by both faculty and students, focus on topics that foster ethical and moral discovery. 
• During daily family-style lunches that take place in our student life activities, rotating groups of faculty and students share meaningful guided conversations and healthy meals. 
• Montgomery’s school counselor meets regularly with classrooms and advisory groups to discuss relational topics like friendship, loyalty, and generosity.

The middle school physical education program is designed to further develop skills learned in the lower school. Units that relate to specific sports as well as activities that incorporate cooperative team building activities and lifetime sports give students a varied experience while also preparing them for competitive sports. As students challenge themselves with new forms of self-expression, they also enjoy another way to interact with peers and have fun. Students appreciate the value of persistence and hard work in both competitive and non-competitive situations and are supported in their pursuit of both individual and team goals.

The focus of music in the Middle School is participation and expression. Every child has an innate musical sense and we aim to give voice to that sense through singing, playing instruments, listening, creating, and reading/writing musical notation. Making music is infused with the study of musical ideas—utilizing, defining, investigating, discriminating, analyzing, evaluating, organizing, and associating. In addition to participation, classes also emphasize music appreciation. As such, students explore the role music has in society and the connection between music and other cultural arts—both in their own communities and in different communities around the world. 

Enrichment is provided for students through Middle School Concert Choir, field trips, Visiting Artist Week, the Music Mac lab, and playing in instrumental groups. Performances—both formal (Chapels, musicals, concerts, etc.) and impromptu (music classes and/or after school)—give middle school students additional outlets for self-expression, mutual appreciation. 

The middle school art program continues to give students opportunities to explore varied media, hone their skills, and discover untapped creativity. With a sequential thematic focus (Organization in Grade 6; Communication in Grade 7; and Identity in Grade 8), students find new purpose for their artistic projects and challenge themselves to solve increasingly complex problems in new ways. As students develop their abilities to think more abstractly, they are encouraged to infuse their work with a personal point of view. In this way, 8th graders are ready to find inspiration within themselves as well as from outside influences.

By the time students enter Montgomery’s middle school, they have a digital foundation that supports their learning with strong research and presentation skills. They know how to use available tools to find information and demonstrate understanding. Technology instruction in the middle school then, speaks to purpose in addition to continued tools acquisition. Integrated through all disciplines, our goal is to make sure students have the knowledge and skills they need to advance their creativity, productivity, and their ability to collaborate responsibly in a connected world.