Upper School (Grades 6 - 8)

Our sixth-grade English students begin the year with mastering the fundamentals of grammar, including identifying different types of sentences, subjects, and predicates, and using compound subjects and predicates correctly. Vocabulary development will be supported with lessons focusing on word mastery, definitions, antonyms, and synonyms connected to the literature they are reading. Students will also engage in various writing assignments, such as book review paragraphs, sentence responses, and short-answer literary analysis, ensuring they learn to structure their thoughts clearly and use proper punctuation. The reading curriculum includes short stories like "Eleven" by Sandra Cisneros and "All Summer in a Day" by Ray Bradbury, and novels such as "Boy of the Painted Cave" by Justin Denzel and "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens.

In sixth grade history, students will embark on an in-depth study of ancient civilizations, beginning with early humans and the rise of civilizations. They will explore how geography influenced human settlements and the development of early hominid groups by examining artifacts and evidence. The curriculum covers the transition from nomadic lifestyles to established farming communities, focusing on the characteristics of Sumerian city-states and the achievements of Mesopotamian empires such as the Akkadians and Babylonians. Students will “visit” ancient Egypt, learning about the geography, pharaohs, daily life, and the origins of Judaism. They will study the significance of ancient India and China, examining key physical features, cultural developments, and major empires.

Students will explore a variety of topics, starting with understanding the area and surface area of geometric shapes using nets. They will then move on to ratios and proportions, applying these concepts to real-world scenarios and using models like tape diagrams and double number lines. They will study unit rates, percentages, and the division of fractions, learning to compute quotients and apply their knowledge to practical situations such as volume calculations and shipping costs. Additionally, students will work with decimals, perform arithmetic operations, and understand their applications in geometry. They will also learn to distinguish between expressions and equations, solve single-variable equations, and apply their understanding of positive and negative numbers in various contexts.

In sixth grade science class, students will begin the year by learning the methods of science, including experimentation, observation, and data collection, with practical applications such as mapping Earth's features using tools like GPS and GIS. As the year progresses, they will delve into the interactions of light and matter, investigating phenomena like how a one-way mirror works through experiments and ray model diagrams. They will also study Earth's structure, focusing on topics such as plate tectonics, earthquakes, and the formation of Earth's layers, and will conduct labs on seismic waves and density. Lessons will also cover Earth's atmosphere, weather, and climate, followed by the hydrosphere, including oceans and freshwater systems. The year will end with a study of space systems, exploring the sun-Earth-moon system, the solar system, and beyond.

In sixth grade Spanish class, students will start with basic conversational skills, including greetings, introductions, and asking and answering questions about personal information. They will expand their vocabulary to include numbers, days of the week, and months of the year, as well as develop their ability to describe people and discuss likes and dislikes. The curriculum includes grammar instruction on the use of subject pronouns, the verb "ser," and adjective agreement, which helps students form more complex sentences. Throughout the year, students will also explore the cultures of various Spanish-speaking countries such as Spain, Puerto Rico, and Chile, learning about their geographical features, cultural traditions, and customs.

Sixth grade students will participate in a diverse range of activities designed to enhance their physical skills, teamwork, and overall fitness. They will start with volleyball, where they will learn fundamental skills like setting, bumping, and serving, as well as basic rules and strategies. They will later engage in sports such as hockey, basketball, flag football, kickball, wiffle ball, badminton, and paddle tennis, focusing on both offensive and defensive strategies, spatial awareness, and agility. Students' progress will be assessed through teacher observations, intramural games, and scrimmages, ensuring they develop both individual skills and the ability to collaborate effectively in team settings.

In sixth grade Arts and Technology classes, students will explore including improv, media literacy, illustration, virtual reality, music appreciation, ceramics, filmmaking, stagecraft, and home economics. Each class emphasizes project-based learning, where students work both individually and collaboratively on creative projects that encourage a growth mindset and citizenship. The curriculum is designed to be inclusive and culturally responsive, with differentiated lessons and opportunities for students to choose their project partners and design.

6th graders travel to the mountains for an overnight trip to Pathfinder Ranch. This trip is intentionally supportive of their science curriculum, but also puts a focus on leadership and team building.  Physically and mentally challenging activities such as horseback riding, canoeing, ropes courses and archery create bonds between classmates that serve them well throughout their Upper School years. 

Our seventh grade English students read a wide range of literature, including short stories, novels, poetry, drama, and nonfiction.  They begin the year analyzing a range of short stories, including classics like Raymond’s Run by Toni Cade Bambara and A Sound of Thunder by Ray Bradbury, focusing on themes, symbols, and character development. Students will also read literature pieces that examine the social, political, and historical context. Additionally, they will study The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank, with an emphasis on understanding historical events like the Holocaust. Students will learn to write well-structured paragraphs, incorporating topic sentences, transitions, and proper in-text citations. They will also expand their vocabulary and refine their grammar, focusing on parts of speech, punctuation, and sentence structure.

In seventh grade history, students will begin studying Europe during the Middle Ages, learning about the fall and legacy of the Roman Empire, the rise and fall of feudalism, and the role of the Church in shaping European society. The curriculum then shifts to the Islamic world, covering the origins of Islam, the cultural and technological innovations of Muslim civilizations, and the impact of the Crusades. Students will also study the development of West African kingdoms, focusing on the growth of trade and the influence of Islam. The exploration of Imperial China will include the political, economic, and cultural advancements of the dynasties. They will also examine the social and political life in medieval Japan, and the civilizations of the Mayas, Aztecs, and Incas, highlighting their achievements and daily lives.

In seventh grade math, students will begin with scale drawings, learning to understand the difference between scaled and unscaled drawings and applying these skills to maps and floor plans. This will lay the groundwork for proportional relationships, which they will explore in depth, focusing on dependent and independent variables and constants of proportionality in real-life contexts such as nutrition and speed conversion. Students will study circles, deriving the value of pi and understanding the relationships between the radius, diameter, circumference, and area. They will also explore rational number arithmetic, learning to add, subtract, multiply, and divide both positive and negative rational numbers. The curriculum includes lessons on expressions, equations, and inequalities, as well as angles, triangles, and prisms, where students will analyze geometric shapes and solve problems involving area, surface area, and volume.

Students start with ecology; studying the characteristics of living things, food chains, photosynthesis, and cellular respiration, including hands-on experiments such as using bromothymol blue to measure carbon dioxide. The curriculum progresses to cell diversity, where students will explore cell theory, types of cells, and cell organelles, and engage in lab activities like growing bacteria on agar plates and using microscopes to examine cell structures. The human microbiome lesson will help students understand the beneficial and harmful effects of microbes, antibiotics, and probiotics. They will study human body systems, genetics, and the classification of invertebrates, using various tools to dissect specimens and analyze genetic patterns. The final lesson on virus structure and evolution will teach students about viral replication, disease transmission, and prevention methods.

In seventh grade Spanish class, students will start with foundational topics such as greetings, personal information, and descriptions.  Later, they will explore more complex structures, including the use of reflexive pronouns and stem-changing verbs, in contexts like daily routines and health. Cultural studies will include in-depth looks at Hispanic Heritage Month, Mexican traditions, and significant figures like Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. Students will also learn about the geography and cultural customs of Spanish-speaking countries such as Mexico, Argentina, and the Dominican Republic.

In seventh grade P.E., students will engage in sports like volleyball, hockey, basketball, flag football, kickball, wiffle ball, badminton, and paddle tennis. Throughout the year, students will participate in intramural games and scrimmages to apply their skills in a competitive yet inclusive environment. The curriculum also emphasizes collaborative games and inclusive play, incorporating games from various cultures to promote diversity and equity in physical education. This comprehensive approach ensures students not only improve their athletic abilities but also learn the importance of teamwork, strategy, and cultural awareness in sports.

In seventh grade, students will have the opportunity to explore a variety of interests through a diverse range of electives offered throughout the year. Options that are typically offered include the following: Improvisation, Pottery & Ceramics, Animation, Media Arts, Creative Robotics Technical Theatre, Clowning, and Home Economics and Life Skills, and Filmmaking. This curriculum aims to foster a growth mindset, emphasize citizenship, and encourage students to explore and express their creativity in various forms.

7th grade students take an outdoor education trip to PALI Adventures in the San Bernardino Mountains where they focus on leadership skills through ropes courses, zip lines, archery and other challenges.  

In eighth grade English, students will engage in a rich and diverse curriculum that emphasizes literary analysis, expository writing, grammar, and vocabulary development. They will read and analyze classic and contemporary texts, focusing on themes, symbols, and character development. Students will write multi-paragraph essays, learning to construct strong theses, coherent arguments, and effective transitions, while also adhering to MLA style guidelines. The curriculum includes a detailed study of grammar, covering parts of speech, punctuation, and sentence structure, and incorporates extensive vocabulary lessons to enhance language proficiency.

Students will study the origins of U.S. democracy, analyzing primary sources such as the Declaration of Independence and the Federalist Papers to understand foundational concepts and historical conflicts. Students will research the U.S. Constitution, examining its articles and the compromises that shaped it. They will also explore the struggles for democracy among different groups, including African Americans, women, and various immigrant populations, through the analysis of primary documents like Frederick Douglass's speeches and Elizabeth Cady Stanton's writings. The curriculum covers major historical events, such as the Civil War and Reconstruction, and extends to the 20th century with units on the World Wars, the Great Depression, and the Cold War.

In eighth grade math, students will explore algebraic principles, including solving linear equations, systems of equations, quadratic equations, and understanding functions. This will help them analyze and interpret mathematical relationships between two variables. They will use geometry to focus on the properties and theorems related to triangles, circles, and other polygons. This includes the Pythagorean Theorem and Trigonometry. Students will also study data analysis and probability, learning to interpret statistical information and calculate probabilities in various contexts. Real-world applications of these concepts will be emphasized to develop critical thinking and practical skills. This comprehensive approach ensures that students are well-prepared for higher-level math courses and standardized tests.

In eighth grade science, students will study the behavior of liquids, exploring concepts such as viscosity, surface tension, and the properties of Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids through controlled experiments. They will examine solids and gases, particle motion, Boyle's law, and phase changes by conducting experiments and simulations. Lessons on electromagnetic radiation and human vision will help students understand different types of radiation, light transmission, and the anatomy of the eye through applications like measuring light transmittance and dissecting a cow eye. The study of atoms and elements will include lessons on subatomic particles, the Bohr model, and static electricity. Later, students will explore the periodic table, chemical bonding, and reactions, where they will conduct experiments to understand density, chemical equations, and reaction rates.

In eighth grade Spanish, students will begin with topics like family and friends, learning vocabulary related to family members, household chores, and celebrations, while mastering grammar concepts such as the present tense, reflexive verbs, and direct object pronouns. They will explore cultural traditions and geographical knowledge of Spanish-speaking locations like Mexico City, Cuzco in Peru, and Miami, enhancing their cultural awareness. Additionally, they will learn to use more complex grammatical structures, including the preterit tense, formal commands, and the subjunctive mood. Through activities like cultural videos, Kahoot! games, and formative assessments, students will build their language skills and cultural competence, preparing them for high school Spanish.

Throughout the year, students will participate in various sports and activities, such as volleyball, hockey, flag football, kickball, wiffle ball, badminton, and paddle tennis. The curriculum emphasizes the importance of inclusive play and cultural understanding by incorporating games from different cultures, fostering an environment of diversity and equity. Through intramural games and scrimmages, students will apply their skills in a competitive yet supportive setting, promoting both individual improvement and team collaboration.

In eighth grade, students will have the opportunity to explore a variety of interests through a diverse range of electives offered throughout the year. Options that are typically offered include the following: Improvisation, Pottery & Ceramics, Animation, Media Arts, Creative Robotics Technical Theatre, Clowning, and Home Economics and Life Skills, and Filmmaking. This curriculum aims to foster a growth mindset, emphasize citizenship, and encourage students to explore and express their creativity in various forms.

8th graders typically have two overnight trips each year: the first is Catalina Island Marine Institute, where they study marine biology, go  ocean kayaking, and snorkel at night.  Their second trip is camping (location varies). 8th grade also has a series of celebratory day trips late in the year to locations like Disneyland and the beach.