Valwood’s Middle School offers a three-year program, including grades six, seven, and eight, dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge, as well as the intellectual and moral development of students. The middle school years represent a bridge between the security of a teacher-centered Lower School and the rigors of a subject-centered Upper School. Teachers work together to address social, emotional, and academic challenges faced by students during early adolescence. The Middle School program is guided by This We Believe: Keys to Educating Young Adolescents, published by the Association for Middle Level Education.
The Middle School stresses community service through a variety of projects. Each fall, the students host veterans at a celebration honoring their service to our country. Later in the year, students collect school supplies, canned goods, and blue jeans for those less fortunate. Academic field trips are planned for each grade level. In addition to the overnight trips, teachers regularly incorporate day trips into the curriculum. These include examples like Pathfinders, Washington DC and Rock Eagle.
The Middle School curriculum is designed to enable students to succeed in high school, college, and beyond. All students are required to take science, math, social studies, literature, Spanish, grammar and composition. Eighth grade students begin their Upper School math curriculum by taking Algebra I. They also enroll in American Studies, an interdisciplinary class that encourages students to interpret primary documents, read historical fiction and non-fiction, and complete research projects.
All classes are college preparatory and rigorous, while taking into account the individual needs and the age and maturity of the students. Emphasis is placed on process—how to learn and how to study—as well as on content. In addition, students are encouraged to broaden their horizons through drama, studio art, weight training, critical thinking, and music classes. Students have the opportunity to participate in programs like MathCounts, Science Olympiad, PAGE Academic Bowl, the spelling bee, science and geography fairs, essay contests and a wide variety of popular sports.
The mission of Valwood School emphasizes academic excellence, character and a commitment to serve others. In support of that mission, members of the Valwood School community agree when they enroll to abide by the standards expressed in our Honor Code. By adopting this code, our students, families and faculty affirm the values of honesty, respect, self-control, safety, fairness, and character.
The Honor Code at Valwood School is as follows:
“As a member of the Valwood School community, I pledge to be honest with myself and with others; to strive to refrain from all acts of cheating, lying and stealing; and to treat others with respect and courtesy.”
The Honor Code applies on campus and on any off-campus school-sponsored trip or event. The following are some common examples of behaviors that are not appropriate for a Valwood community member: plagiarism, cheating, deception, disrupting the work or focus of others, harassment, bullying and intentional destruction of property.
With this Honor Code in place, we ensure that Valwood School is safe environment for each and every one of our students, families and staff. The camaraderie is palpable on campus and this is a primary reason students and parents alike choose to Valwood.