Middle School builds on the curiosity, inquiry, and sense of agency students have developed in Upper Elementary. Students continue to deepen their curiosity, critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills while taking on greater independence and responsibility. As expectations increase, students are given more opportunities to advocate for themselves, manage their time and work, explore their interests, and take ownership of their learning. The goal is a gradual transition from the supported learning environment of Upper Elementary to the greater independence expected in high school. Our goal is not simply to prepare students for the next grade, but to help them become confident, curious, responsible students who understand who they are as learners.
 

Middle School students are challenged in five core classes: Social Studies 6 or Big History Project 7/8, English, Math (Foundations of Middle School Math, Beginning Algebra and Geometry, Algebra I Honors, or Geometry Honors), Comprehensive Science, and Spanish. These classes meet for 45 minutes, five times per week, and teach skills and concepts critical for high school success.

Middle School students participate in a vibrant elective program with a wide variety of courses. Each spring, students select one elective from each of three broad categories—Art & Expression, Culture & Ideas, and Innovation & Design—for the following school year. Elective classes, including Physical Education and Wellness, meet once a week throughout the year.
 

Students use technology to enhance learning, deepen research and communication skills, and create a variety of multimedia products that demonstrate their understanding. Technology supports collaboration by allowing students to give and receive feedback and work together in real time. Students learn to communicate their ideas in different formats, creating videos, podcasts, digital posters, presentations, and other products that complement and extend their learning. They also learn to identify credible online sources, evaluate information and perspectives, cite sources appropriately, and recognize ways that algorithms and media influence what they see and believe. Finally, Middle School students learn to make ethical decisions regarding the use of AI in their work by adhering to our AI Acceptable Use scale on all assignments. Discovery middle schoolers learn to be responsible digital citizens who are thoughtful creators and consumers of online content.
 

The amount of homework a student has each night largely depends on a student's organizational and time management skills, strategies that are explicitly taught as part of Discovery’s Wellness 6 program. The Middle School Team is intentional about work assigned outside of class and does not believe in busy work. Homework is designed to give students meaningful opportunities to practice and apply concepts, build time-management skills, and ensure that class time is used productively. Assignments are assessed based on completion, not correctness. Students’ daily schedules include a 45-minute Independent Study period, during which they can begin assignments, read independently, or meet with teachers for additional support. When students use this time wisely, the amount of work required after the school day is significantly reduced.

Leadership at Discovery takes many forms, from formal roles and service opportunities to the everyday choices students make as members of our community. Students may be selected for membership in the National Junior Honor Society, serve as Discovery Ambassadors who welcome prospective families, or design and carry out student-initiated service projects through the Hearts & Hands elective. Just as importantly, every Middle School student has daily opportunities to lead by example when supporting younger students, leading Dolphin Day assemblies, demonstrating kindness and inclusivity, and contributing positively to campus life. 
 

Social-emotional learning and support are woven throughout Discovery’s Middle School experience. Through the Advisory program, students engage with a dedicated adult mentor and a small, single-gender peer community to build relationships, reflect on experiences, and develop skills for navigating the academic and social challenges of adolescence. Discovery’s Wellness 7 & 8 program provides dedicated time to explore topics such as values, character, and positive habit development, lessons that empower students to make thoughtful decisions, fulfill their potential, and lay a strong foundation for lifelong success and well-being. These conversations are reinforced across the curriculum, as students examine character, choices, and ethical questions through novel studies, history lessons, and other coursework. Students also have access to counseling support when they need an additional layer of guidance. Even the structure of lunch is intentional, providing opportunities for students to connect, build friendships, and practice navigating social dynamics.

At Discovery, our Middle School field trips are intentionally designed to extend learning beyond the classroom and give students opportunities to spread their wings and develop confidence in a safe, supportive environment. Each experience connects directly to our curriculum while helping students see themselves—and their place in the world—in new ways. In Philadelphia, sixth-grade students explore the birthplace of American democracy and consider the ideals, symbols, and history that shaped our nation. At MarineLab, seventh graders gain a deeper understanding of the natural world through hands-on labs and experiences that bring environmental science and ocean conservation to life. And in Costa Rica, our eighth graders embark on an immersive experience that challenges them to step outside their comfort zones, engage with a different culture, and expand their worldview. Together, these adventures provide students with opportunities to become more curious, capable, and connected to the world around them.

Discovery equips students not simply to be accepted into high school but to thrive wherever their next steps take them. Whether students choose a public or independent high school, a homeschool program, or another educational path, they leave Discovery with the academic foundation, curiosity, confidence, and independence to navigate new challenges, think critically, solve problems creatively, and advocate for their needs. By eighth grade, students know not only what they have learned, but how they learn best, skills that will serve them well in whatever educational environment comes next.