6th grade empowers students to become independent thinkers and effective communicators. They develop active reading habits, research and evaluate sources, and write clearly structured arguments with evidence. Through annotated bibliographies, collaborative discussions, and reflective writing, students gain confidence and ownership over their learning across disciplines.

Seventh grade cultivates critical thinkers, thoughtful writers, and global citizens. In English, students engage in a blended workshop model, balancing self-selected reading with shared texts and independent writing with peer feedback. Through literary analysis, personal narratives, and poetry, students build voice and fluency. Reading emphasizes deep analysis of genre and theme, while grammar is learned in context and applied with purpose.

The year explores ethical decision-making as students study philosophy and world moral traditions, ultimately forming their own codes of ethics. In social studies, learners connect historical events to current global issues through critical analysis and reflective discussions. Language classes foster fluency and cultural curiosity in immersive settings. Science emphasizes inquiry and experimentation, while arts and drama deepen creative expression. Gratitude, silence, and shared values ground it all.

Eighth grade is a year of synthesis and self-definition, preparing students to enter high school as articulate, thoughtful individuals. In English, students transition from a workshop model to a more structured, high-school-style approach. Through close reading, analytical writing, and active dialogue, they build confidence in interpretation, argumentation, and public speaking. Mastery of the five-paragraph essay, grammar, vocabulary, and revision reinforces their growth as critical readers and expressive writers.

Social studies challenges students to connect 20th-century global and civil rights movements to their own beliefs, communities, and futures. Language classes emphasize meaningful, real-world communication in immersive settings, while science fosters inquiry and experimentation through lab-based projects. Music, drama, and visual arts round out the curriculum with creative exploration. In religion, students explore spiritual practices, wrestle with life’s big questions, and articulate their beliefs and values, culminating in personal essays that honor both self and community.

At St. Anne’s, our advisory program is a cornerstone of the middle school experience, designed to nurture the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally. Small, consistent groups led by trusted faculty advisors provide students with a safe, familiar space to check in, reflect, and recharge. Meeting multiple times a week, advisories blend practical skill-building in organization and planning with opportunities for laughter, mentorship, and meaningful dialogue. Advisors serve as advocates and anchors, offering support through the challenges of adolescence and celebrating milestones big and small. From buddy activities with younger students to gender-based discussions, group lunches, and team-building games, advisory is where relationships are deepened and a sense of community thrives. It's not just time carved out of the day—it’s time that centers students in who they are and who they are becoming.