So much better than "Middle School"
A Day in the Life of a Middle Schooler
WE FIND OUR PLACE TOGETHER.
Every Middle School student belongs to a “house,” with each one of them named after an aspect of our surroundings (Audubon, March, Orchard, and Sound). The house system allows students to form connections within the larger Middle School community. We also begin new experiences together: At the end of Middle School, seniors meet with eighth graders to talk about what’s ahead in the Upper School.
WE SPEND TIME TOGETHER.
Every student joins an Advisory—a group of 10 or so students under the mentorship of a faculty advisor, who serves as an important link between home and school. Groups meet daily, providing the academic and social support that is necessary for each child to feel connected at school. (Advisors also collect cell phones for the school day.).
WE RESEARCH TOGETHER.
We provide students with the best tools to best navigate today's world. Through seminars on research skills, guided research papers and projects, and the eighth-grade Capstone project, students develop the skills they need to pursue their passions and become excited and engaged learners. Check out our Curriculum Guide for a sampling of what our students study and learn.
we stay strong together.
That commitment starts with a three-season athletic requirement. At a time of significant physical growth, we offer interscholastic and recreational options that develop coordination, confidence, sportsmanship, and sport-specific skills. For more about athletics at GFA, click here.
we serve together.
We believe that service is an education in empathy, collaboration, and responsibility. That’s why we build it into our curriculum: many students choose an extended engagement tutoring in local schools and volunteering at an eldercare center, fifth graders produce a Halloween Carnival for lower schoolers, and the entire Middle School participates in service events from food drives to bike-a-thons.
Curriculum Guide
Middle School is a time of discovery—of ideas, interests, and, most importantly, self. Dare to be different, dare to be yourself is more than a motto; it’s an invitation for every student to embrace their individuality within a community that values curiosity, inclusivity, and purpose.Drew Meyer, HEad of middle school