Middle School is a time in which the critical learning skills that are formed often set the tone for their future — academic and non-academic skills that are essential as they leave Speyer and head into the world.
In our current world — with all its challenges and the incredibly rapid rate of change — the ability to learn in a self-directed way, the desire to continually stretch yourself, and the drive to solve problems with tenacity, collaboration, and creativity are essential. These qualities and skills are the real gifts students come with and the ones that we seek to cultivate and develop here at Speyer.
As one of our Math teachers has put it: at Speyer, the children set the pace for their own learning, and we build the curriculum around their learning capacity, even if the pace of their learning is inconveniently fast. But what might be seen as an inconvenience somewhere else is a golden opportunity here at Speyer. And one we would never want to miss.
In tandem with challenging our students with our differentiated and accelerated academic offerings, Speyer’s Middle School curriculum is focused on helping them cultivate a strong sense of self. We provide the space for them to explore how they will interact with and impact others and with the world…the world as it currently is as well as decades from now.
It is often said that if a Speyer graduate can perform calculus, do in-depth literary analysis, and additionally has persistence, creativity, and collaboration skills, we have failed them if they aren’t kind.
Moving from the Lower School two-teacher homeroom model, Middle School students are taught by expert instructors in Humanities, Mathematics, Science, Debate, and Spanish. In addition to these core courses, there are also a host of specialty classes including Physical Education, Dance, Music, Creative and Computational Thinking, Financial Literacy, and Studio Art.
Through a comprehensive Advisory program tailored to gifted learners, our students are supported as they learn to know themselves and, more importantly, to be comfortable being themselves. Elements of character such as tenacity, collaboration, empathy, and advocacy are examples of traits we help our students develop in order to be good humans after they leave Speyer.
A main component of the Middle School curriculum is our Elective Program. Students are encouraged to explore interests and passions through a variety of electives, including robotics, social justice, rock band, film studies, literary magazine, ethics, game theory, and more. In addition, lunch clubs and Student Affinity Groups provide opportunities to connect across grades and build lasting relationships through shared interests and commonalities.
Skills and Seminar classes include explicit instruction in metacognition, self-advocacy, planning, time management, test preparation, annotating, taking Cornell notes, SMART goal setting, interview techniques, and essay writing. Other units of study include social and emotional wellness, belonging and inclusion, and various health topics. These innovative courses are taught by a team including our Learning Specialist, SEL Specialist, Director of Equity and Inclusion, and our School Nurse.
As the oldest students at Speyer, our Middle School students are challenged to be leaders in the community via a myriad of opportunities. They speak at divisional and all-school assemblies, mentor younger students, manage the portfolio in Speyer’s Financial Literacy program, organize community services drives, lead Student Council, and participate in and represent the school as Student Ambassadors at public events such as Admissions tours and events.
