Middle school is designed to give students precisely the guidance and support they need to negotiate these years comfortably. That’s because a dedicated team of teachers and administrators, who know individual students well, embrace the joys and challenges of working with this age. By focusing on study skills, teachers help students become aware of how they learn, and how they can best manage their time and increasingly complex responsibilities. 

While the structure adjusts to encourage deeper inquiry, greater independence and risk-taking, students connect more with the outside community: Visits to the city’s historic and cultural sites make concepts of government and culture come alive. Students take their first cumulative exams, participate in co-curricular activities and service projects, and attend their first dances—all within a warm and close community united by Quaker values of integrity, mutual concern, respect and peaceful conflict resolution.

Class size ranges from 16 to 22 students. Students have separate teachers for English, history, mathematics, science, and world languages. Specialists teach music, performance, visual art, and physical education. Seventh and eighth graders sit for final academic exams. All students receive letter grades supplemented by extensive teacher commentary.