Middle School Electives

The Middle School Arts & Ensembles elective occurs within the rotation schedule. This is intended to be an immersive, in-depth study on an art form and/or collaborative experience and students participate in this class for the entire year. Arts & Ensemble Electives do not have traditional homework or assessments, but students should expect to practice or rehearse occasionally outside of class time. Arts & Ensemble Electives offer students an opportunity to meaningfully collaborate with students from all three middle school grades and represent themselves and the school through their chosen medium. 

• Arts & Ensembles Electives are for all Middle School students. 

• Enrollment priority is given to eighth-grade students, then seventh, then sixth, and finally students who have previously taken the course.

• Sixth graders may choose Band, Chamber Ensemble, Dance - Street Movement, Dance - Movement Laboratory, Intro to Performing Arts, Intro to Studio Art, or Metal Arts.

• Seventh graders may choose Band, Chamber Ensemble, Dance - Street Movement, Dance - Movement Laboratory, Theater, 2-D Art, 3-D Art, or Robotics and Inventing to Learn.

• Eighth graders may choose Publications in addition to the seventh-grade choices.

In addition to the core curriculum of math, English, social studies, science, PE, and world language, sixth graders take a year-long course called “Foundations.” The year of Foundations is separated into four 8–10 week sections focusing on a specific area of curricular extension or interest. These are not elective courses, but an assigned rotation of our MS extension offerings to help students make more informed elective choices in seventh and eighth grades and in the Upper School.

• Foundations of Computer Science - A collaborative and lively class exploring introductory topics in digital citizenship, computational thinking, artificial intelligence, and coding in several languages. 

• Foundations of Debate - The foundations of debate class includes lessons, activities, and performances that emphasize the importance of public speaking, effective argumentation, and reflective listening. Students select different topics to discuss and the course provides them with tips and strategies for creating, delivering, and evaluating their persuasive speeches. 

• Foundations of Health & Wellness - focus on social and emotional growth and development of interpersonal skills.

• Foundations of Music - Foundations of Music students listen to, study and perform music. In addition to learning about the elements of music such as rhythm, melody and harmony, students study the development of music from Bach to Miles Davis to Taylor Swift. Most importantly, Foundations of Music students make music together using voices, ukuleles and various wind and percussion instruments.

The Middle School Extension Courses are electives for seventh and eighth graders designed to expand our curriculum into other areas that develop new skills and deepen the learning experience. Most Extension Courses fall into one of these categories: art, aviation, debate, computer science, theater, or athletics. Extensions are hands-on, experiential, and exploratory and give students opportunities to take risks by trying new areas of interest. Extension Courses do not have traditional homework or assessments, but students will be tested throughout the courses with their own contributions and students do frequently collaborate to complete projects or work on skill development outside of class time. Extension Courses also offer students and teachers alike the opportunity to interact with students from other grades. 

Extension Course Notes

• Please note that students may change Extension Courses during the first week of each Extension Term. There is an option on the registration form for parents/caregivers to select if they wish to be contacted before their student is allowed to change Extension Courses.

• Priority for enrollment in Extension Courses will be given to students who have not previously participated in these courses. 

• There are some school athletic teams (volleyball, basketball, and soccer) that hold practice during the Extensions period to maximize the use of our Lincoln Street Campus gymnasium and field space. Students on these teams will will not take an Extension Course during that term.