Signature Experiences

6th Grade Trip: Camping
The sixth and seventh grades spend three days in the fall at an outdoor educational camp exploring the environment and participating in team-building activities.

7th Grade Trip: Camping (Fall) and Old Rag (Spring)
In the fall, seventh grade travels with 6th grade to spend three days at an outdoor educational camp. In the spring, the seventh grade hikes Old Rag Mountain studying the geology in the Appalachian Mountains and developing their sense of community.

8th Grade Trip: Williamsburg
The eighth grade spends three days experiencing life in Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown, participating in role-playing situations and touring the sites.

Cancer Games
Middle School students participate in a fun-filled afternoon of relay and group competitions and obtain pledge money to donate to breast cancer research.

Honor Recognition
Middle School students are nominated by their peers and/or teachers to receive recognition for living the Philosophy of Honor. Nominated students will receive a special citizenship pin during a Middle School assembly.

Research Expo
All MS students participate in our annual Research Expo. Students are supervised by a teacher-mentor and choose a topic of interest, conduct research, write a paper, create a project to present on Research Expo day for friends and family. This is an excellent preparation for our Upper School IB Diploma extended essay!

School Dances
A wonderful way to develop social skills, the MS schedules four dances each year complete with music, lights and food. Student Council leads the planning process, and faculty members rotate chaperoning. Dances can range from dress-up to costume, beach-themed or snowflakes.

Recess
Recognizing the important need for Middle School-aged children to have a chance to burn off energy, we provide daily recess time after lunch. All students are supervised outside (or in the gym if weather is poor) and allowed a social and physically active break from academics.