Middle School: Grades 6-8

In Middle School, learning is authentic, complex, and intellectually challenging. Students tackle carefully designed collaborative and individual projects that build foundational skills in every academic discipline, while also pushing them to make meaningful interdisciplinary connections to the real world.

They learn how to:

• Grapple with the unknown and persist through challenges
• Embrace multiple perspectives with curiosity and empathy
• Design creative, novel solutions to problems big and small

With choice, autonomy, and high expectations, students discover that motivation comes from within — and that academic excellence is both achievable and rewarding.

   Middle School CurriculuM      middle school sample schedule

The Middle School program develops essential knowledge, skills, and understandings in:

• Language & Literature (taught 5 days per week), Individual & Societies, Mathematics (taught 5 days per week) and Science
• Arts, Physical & Health Education and Design — the latter taught in our new Sillers Center, a dedicated space for hands-on, innovative learning. Here, students explore engineering, design thinking, and creative problem-solving in a modern, well-equipped environment.
• Modern Languages: Spanish and Mandarin Chinese

Our block schedule with extended class periods deepens engagement, allows for rich inquiry, and gives teachers the flexibility to design meaningful, interactive lessons.

Learning at St. Mary’s goes beyond the classroom walls.

• Field Studies take students on grade-specific trips that extend learning in Science, Social Studies, and the Arts:
   
  • Grade 6: Catalina Island — exploration of ecosystems and marine life
     
  • Grade 7: Yosemite National Park — hands-on study of geology, ecology, and environmental science
     
  • Grade 8: Washington, D.C. — immersion in history, government, and civic engagement

These experiences allow students to see real-world applications of classroom learning while fostering independence, collaboration, and a sense of adventure.

• Intersession is a week-long, immersive learning experience where Middle School students extend their education beyond traditional classrooms. Students have a wide array of options tailored to their interests and talents:
  • International Field Studies: Students travel abroad on transformational trips to destinations such as Italy, France, London, Croatia, China, Costa Rica, and the Galápagos Islands. These journeys blend cultural immersion, environmental education, and service learning, offering experiences that no classroom lecture can replicate.
  • Domestic Travel Adventures: Students explore the U.S. on curated trips to cities such as San Francisco, Las Vegas, Joshua Tree, and Boston. Highlights include science and design at Google and Apple headquarters, entertainment at Cirque du Soleil, and historical exploration along the Freedom Trail.
  • Day Trips: Local excursions provide hands-on enrichment for students who prefer staying closer to home. Examples include sports-focused trips to Angel Stadium or SoFi Stadium, behind-the-scenes experiences at Disneyland, or animal-focused classes with Four-Legged Friends.
  • On-Campus Classes: For students who want to stay on campus, Intersession offers engaging opportunities such as mountain biking, hiking, robotics, cooking, photography, design, and set construction. These activities foster creativity, teamwork, problem-solving, and skill-building in a fun, hands-on environment.

During Intersession, students are immersed in out-of-the-box learning experiences — whether cruising the canals of Venice by gondola, rappelling down rock faces in Joshua Tree, or bottle-feeding rescue kittens. These experiences push learning beyond the classroom, helping students build confidence, empathy, and a deeper understanding of the world around them.

Nourishing the Body and Community

At St. Mary’s, we believe that mealtime is more than just about food — it's an opportunity to build community, share experiences, and nourish both the body and the spirit. Our Dining Program, in partnership with FLIK Independent School Dining, offers students fresh, healthy, and delicious meals prepared with local and sustainable ingredients. Click here to learn more.

Each day, students gather in the Green Family Commons to enjoy breakfast, lunch, and snacks. This shared mealtime fosters a sense of belonging and encourages social interaction among students, faculty, and staff. The program is designed to support the well-being of our students, ensuring they have the energy and nutrition needed to thrive academically and socially.

Middle School is a time for students to discover new passions, deepen interests, and challenge themselves outside the classroom. At St. Mary’s, students can choose from a rich array of clubs, sports, performing arts, and service programs designed to foster leadership, collaboration, creativity, and personal growth.

Whether it’s building a robot in robotics club, honing public speaking skills through Model United Nations, performing in choir or theater productions, competing on athletic teams, making an impact through community service, or participating in our winter play and spring musical — students can join as part of the cast or tech crew. Every activity provides hands-on opportunities to develop real-world skills, explore new interests, and forge lasting friendships.

These experiences encourage students to take risks, lead with confidence, and collaborate with peers, creating a well-rounded foundation that complements academic learning and prepares them for the challenges of high school and beyond.