Middle School

At Riverbend, 7th and 8th graders take on increasing levels of responsibility and independence as they build the academic, social, and emotional skills essential for the challenges of high school and college. Our students are well-prepared for secondary education as the result of a unique educational journey that’s both academically rigorous and individually fulfilling.

Middle school student speaking at the podium

Public Speaking

By the time they’ve reached Middle School, our students have had lots of experience with public speaking. Middle schoolers lead K-8 assemblies, they present research projects at STEM workshops, and they give business presentations to students and families. Their public speaking skills set them up for success in high school and beyond.

Middle schoolers traveling

Learning Beyond Campus

Our Middle Schoolers regularly venture off campus to enrich their learning, including regular visits to our nature property and area museums as well as trips to Washington DC, New York City, and the White Mountains. They collaboratively design trips that support the curriculum and strengthens practical life skills.

Two students talking at Riverbend School

Authentic Leadership

Middle Schoolers take an active role as leaders across our campus. They work with younger students in a variety of ways, and they run their own micro-economy where they design and create products that fill a need in their community, make financial pitches, balance the books, and use the profits to positively impact their community.

Middle School

A Day in the Life

  • Daily work blocks in math, science, humanities, Design Lab, and the arts
  • Leadership opportunities starting first thing in the morning
  • Social emotional learning and organizational skills-building
Sample Schedule

Our cross-disciplinary curriculum nurtures essential skills for academic success, including the ability to work both independently and collaboratively, to organize one’s work and time, to craft research into meaningful projects, to communicate effectively, and to think globally. Students strengthen their abilities across the curriculum in a variety of ways.

English

Students learn to speak articulately, listen actively, write formats, and read carefully with purpose and understanding.

Mathematics

Middle Schoolers solve complex math problems through a deep dive into the fundamentals and applications of algebra.

History

The curriculum explores broad questions through historical research, philosophical discussion, and analysis of current events.

Science

Students utilize techniques and concepts of chemistry, physics, and biology in engaging, hands-on scientific investigations.

Middle School Curriculum Highlights

Our Humanities curriculum encompasses English and Social Studies in a rich two-year curriculum sequence. Year One is entitled “We the People: Exploring Identity and Belonging in America’s Past and Present,” and Year Two is “Global Issues & Fundamental Needs: Mapping Movements in A Changing World.” Students hone their reading and writing skills in alignment with the Common Core Standards for Grades 7 and 8. They read literature across a variety of genres and by authors from different backgrounds and cultures. Middle Schoolers write both informally and formally, creatively and analytically. They are expected to produce longer, multi-disciplinary written assignments that require planning, research, and time management skills.

Middle Schoolers learn complex algebraic concepts through an inquiry-based curriculum developed by Phillips Exeter Academy, starting with pre-algebra and advancing through honors-level algebra. All students complete the curriculum through middle school Algebra by the end of the two year cycle, and may finish high school algebra entirely depending on proficiency, aptitude, and effort. Our small class size allows students to work collaboratively as they discover multiple ways to approach complex problems. This mathematical thinking sets them up for success as they advance to calculus in high school.

Our Humanities curriculum encompasses English and Social Studies in a rich two-year curriculum sequence. Year One is entitled “We the People: Exploring Identity and Belonging in America’s Past and Present,” and Year Two is “Global Issues & Fundamental Needs: Mapping Movements in A Changing World.” Drawing from the well-established and recognized Facing History and Ourselves Curriculum, our program increases students’ tolerance for others with different political views, expands their capacity for civil discourse, and builds their belief that they can make a difference. The program aligns with the guiding principles of common core standards by examining the legacy of democratic government, including diverse perspectives, integrating knowledge from many fields, teaching students to think historically and make logical arguments, examining current events, developing news/media literacy, and developing social and emotional learning skills.

The two-year cycle focuses on the study of biology and physics. A special emphasis is placed on drawing connections between the scientific content discussed and its relation to our students’ world. The incorporation of the scientific method of observation, hypothesis, experimentation, analysis, and conclusion is paramount in the Middle School science curriculum. The importance of taking risks and using “mistakes” to learn from and adjust critical student thinking is also highlighted.

Middle School students utilize equipment in our Design Lab to solve problems. They’re introduced to machines including a Glowforge Laser, an Inventables X-Carve CNC machine, a MakerBot 3D printer and a Graphtec Vinyl Cutter and Heat Press. They also have access to wood shop power tools and hand tools. Students participate in a months-long unit on Lego Robotics where they design and code a robot.

Middle School students study Chinese or Spanish. In the Chinese program, students develop listening and speaking skills along with writing skills. Chinese characters are independent of their pronunciations, and students become accustomed to the parallel learning of pronunciation and writing of the language as they learn the phonetic symbols and tones. Chinese culture is introduced throughout the year and in particular by learning and celebrating some of the Chinese traditional holidays. In the Spanish program, the objective is to build students’ confidence in communicating in Spanish by speaking, writing, reading, understanding, and enjoying Spanish. Hispanic Culture is addressed throughout the year, and it becomes a focal point when particular holidays are celebrated. Spanish students typically go into high school ready to participate in Spanish 2 or beyond.

Through theory study, Middle Schoolers work on detailed listening, music-focused projects, musical cultural connections, composition, recording and performance opportunities. Students discover and grow as music makers in their own most productive way. They participate in 2 concerts a year with a special focus on finding, learning, and performing music that they have chosen. Students work on all aspects of the performance process, from the selection of material, assigning of parts, learning the music, developing an ensemble sound, and finally performance.

Middle Schoolers investigate six major areas of Visual Art. Each student has some form of choice as to how that investigation occurs. They create art in Drawing, Ceramics, and Paper Craft, each with two choices of project. There is a Public Art project with individual submissions followed by group work. Students explore Earth Art in all four seasons to investigate the changing materials available. In Art History, each student chooses a different artist to research and report on to the class.

Middle School students spend their Physical Education time learning through movement and self-discovery. Sports such as soccer, basketball, flag football, ultimate frisbee, and floor hockey give students the chance to perfect their skill sets while learning about teamwork. In addition, students enjoy games like badminton, tennis, volleyball, and pickleball throughout the year.

Middle School students help to lead programming at the Magullion Center, Riverbend’s nature property at our satellite campus. They utilize skills learned across the curriculum to develop scavenger hunts and other nature programming for younger students.

Standardized Testing

Standardized testing at Riverbend is a diagnostic tool for teachers and provides students with essential test-taking skills for high school and beyond. Students participate in standardized testing throughout the year. Over the past 5 years, our 8th grade students have consistently scored at or above the Independent School norm in math and reading on the CTP.

Riverbend alumni speaker

Where Do They Go From Here?

Riverbend provides personalized secondary school counseling to middle school families starting in 7th grade. Our students are well-prepared academically and socially to leave the hallways of Riverbend to take on the challenges of high school. In addition to area public schools, our students have matriculated to many leading independent schools.

High School Matriculation List

Spotlight: Middle School Math

Middle Schoolers learn complex algebraic concepts through an inquiry-based curriculum developed by Phillips Exeter Academy. Our small class size allows students to work collaboratively as they discover multiple ways to approach complex problems. This mathematical thinking sets them up for success as they advance toward calculus in high school.

Middle school math notebook
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Find out more about Montessori education at Riverbend School!

Our admissions staff would love to work with you as you decide if Riverbend is the right fit for your child! Our hands-on learning environment inspires curiosity, independence, and a lifelong love of learning. Please reach out to our admissions staff by email at admissions@rvbs.org. We’d love to hear from you!

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