Middle School Curriculum

About

The Middle School Art program at AFS engages students in a wide range of creative disciplines while encouraging collaboration, cultural exploration, and personal expression.

Across all grades, the program emphasizes skill-building, creativity, and art as a lens through which students can understand themselves and the world around them.  

Grades 5 and 6

In 5th and 6th grade, students build foundational skills through interdisciplinary, hands-on projects. From drawing human proportions and designing shadow puppets to creating large-scale Greek god statues, architectural models with LED circuits, and vibrant tapestries for Poetry Night, students learn to see art as a powerful storytelling and design tool.

Sixth graders dive deeper into character design, stop-motion animation, expressionist self-portraits inspired by Basquiat, and ceramics connected to African history. Mural-making, protest art, and digital media skills like Photoshop introduce students to art as a medium for activism and public engagement. 

Grades 7 and 8

In 7th and 8th grade, the curriculum advances into more technical and conceptually rich work. Students tackle perspective drawing, watercolor, ceramic busts, and 3D modeling with TinkerCAD to create action figures and mechanical sculptures. They experiment with digital animation and GIF creation, integrating technology and visual storytelling.

By 8th grade, students focus on portraiture, creating detailed drawings of social justice heroes and designing silkscreened T-shirts and posters that reflect contemporary issues. Their final projects synthesize traditional techniques with digital tools from Adobe Creative Suite, empowering students to use art as both a form of personal expression and a platform for social impact.

About

The Middle School English program is built on the foundational belief that students will discover their own purposes for reading and writing, develop deep connections with literature, and find their unique voices as writers.

Throughout the Middle School experience, self-assessment and reflection remain integral components, encouraging students to become self-regulating, articulate learners who can evaluate and advance their own progress. 

Grade 5 - 7

Beginning in fifth grade with essential reading strategies like making connections and asking questions, the curriculum progresses through sixth and seventh grades with increasingly sophisticated literary analysis and thematic explorations. Students engage with diverse, carefully selected texts—from Rebecca Stead's "When You Reach Me" in fifth grade to Holocaust narratives and studies of the Transatlantic Slave Trade in seventh grade—that build empathy, critical thinking, and social awareness. Throughout all grades, students practice writing across multiple genres, including personal narrative, poetry, persuasive writing, and textual analysis, with consistent attention to grammar, spelling, and punctuation in service of meaningful written expression. 

Grade 8

By eighth grade, students are prepared to engage with complex thematic units examining social justice issues, resistance movements, and the dynamics of power and language in society. The curriculum emphasizes developing sophisticated critical reading skills through thoughtful annotation and close analysis, while writing instruction focuses on crafting complex sentences, structured paragraphs, and persuasive arguments. Students explore literary devices in depth—from figurative language and imagery to symbolism—through diverse texts ranging from contemporary rap lyrics to classic novels like "Animal Farm." The program culminates with media projects addressing real-world issues, where students synthesize their analytical, creative, and technical skills to articulate thoughtful ideas and inspire positive change.

About

Our Middle School math curriculum is built on the belief that students can become efficient, thoughtful problem-solvers who rely on reasoning, common sense, and effective strategies. Using the comprehensive Math in Focus program, students progress from fundamental numerical operations in 5th grade through advanced algebraic concepts in 8th grade.

Throughout each year, students explore increasingly complex mathematical concepts while developing their ability to explain their thinking through writing and conversation, strengthening both computational skills and mathematical reasoning.

Scope and Sequence

The curriculum follows a carefully designed progression, beginning with number operations, fractions, and geometry in 5th grade, advancing to ratios, statistics, and algebraic foundations in 6th grade, then moving through formal Algebra in 7th and 8th grades.

We intentionally cover Algebra I over the course of both 7th and 8th grade for two key reasons. First, we believe that a strong base in algebraic thinking lays the foundation for success in more complex math. Second, we recognize that the rate of cognitive development varies by student; this approach ensures that a student’s 7th grade placement does not predetermine their math trajectory through Upper School. This reflects our commitment to both rigor and equity in mathematics education.

By 8th grade, students work with polynomial factoring, quadratic equations, and functions, with an enriched option available for highly motivated students. Problem-solving remains central throughout, with regular practice both in class and through meaningful homework assignments that reinforce concepts and extend understanding through application.

All Middle School students can choose from Chorus, Concert Band or Strings. Beyond our instructional music program, students with a particular passion for music have the opportunity to participate in Chamber Singers or Jazz Band, which also perform at our concerts but meet during lunch time. 

The Middle School Physical Education program at AFS is designed to help students understand the importance of regular physical activity while building essential motor skills. Across all grade levels, students participate in a variety of engaging activities, including traditional ball sports, racket sports, and other games that promote cardiovascular health and full-body movement. The program begins with skill development and small-sided games, allowing students to build confidence and competence before progressing to full-sided gameplay. 

As students move from 5th through 8th grade, the emphasis remains on developing coordination, teamwork, sportsmanship, and a lifelong appreciation for physical wellness. Through consistent exposure to diverse forms of movement and play, students learn how to stay active in fun, meaningful ways. Whether refining technique or learning the rules of a new sport, the PE experience at AFS supports physical development, encourages collaboration, and helps students connect physical activity with overall well-being.