MIDDLE LEARNING
OUR APPROACH
At Galloway, Middle Learning is more than a bridge between childhood and adolescence, it’s a launchpad for curiosity, confidence, and growth. Our students don’t just memorize facts; they dive into hands-on, real-world learning that sparks imagination and inspires deep thinking.
In every classroom, you’ll find students asking bold questions, collaborating with peers, and solving meaningful problems through creativity, play, and innovation. We focus on how students learn, not just what they learn because we believe the process builds lifelong skills.
By nurturing critical thinking and a fearless mindset, our students develop the confidence to tackle challenges head-on and the agility to adapt in a changing world. At the core of it all is our unwavering belief that every child brings something extraordinary to the table: something unrepeatable, worth celebrating, and ready to shine.
Curriculum
At Galloway, teachers often strive for depth rather than breadth. We want students to spend time really looking, thinking, questioning, discussing, and creating to get the most out of a concept. Novels, magazines, guest speakers, film clips, field trips, articles, textbooks and other resources are utilized to enrich the curriculum as students delve into new areas of study.
In Middle Learning, curriculum creation and development is a collaborative process. In the beginning of the school year, each grade level team chooses a theme for the year and strives to tie it into lessons, experiential learning experiences, and Immersion throughout the year. Grade level teams also meet weekly and often discuss curriculum to encourage collaboration and integrated units and projects. In addition, teachers meet monthly in vertical departments to discuss scope and sequence of concepts to ensure that skills are built upon each year. Furthermore, the grade level and department meetings are a time for teachers to share sound teaching practices and new research and ideas.
Grade 5: Embracing Challenge
In 5th grade, we center our year around the theme Embracing Challenge, helping students grow empathy, kindness, and an appreciation for diverse perspectives. This theme is woven through everything we do, from literature and social studies to science and outdoor experiences, encouraging students to think deeply and act thoughtfully.
Grade 6: Community
In 6th grade, the theme of Community guides students as they explore identity, community, and connection through literature and history, and as part of the wider world. Through collaborative projects, creative storytelling, and hands-on experiences, students reflect on where they fit and how they contribute to the communities around them.
Grade 7: Advocacy
In seventh grade, the theme of Advocacy encourages students to grow as independent learners and engaged global citizens. They build self-advocacy by taking initiative in their learning and exploring community advocacy.
Grade 8: Courage
The 8th grade year centers on the theme of Courage, empowering students to explore boldness, fearlessness, and heroism in both academics and personal growth. Through literature, history, science, and experiential learning, students are challenged to step outside their comfort zones and embrace courageous thinking.
BEYOND ACADEMICS
Electives and Fine Arts
In Middle Learning
Middle Learners build upon skills and interests from Early Learning through a breadth of Enrichment, Electives, and Ensembles. As part of their curriculum, Middle Learners participate in a music ensemble of their choosing. Additionally, they experience Kinetic Wellness, Drama, Visual Art, and Technology as part of their primary rotation. Beyond enrichment classes, Middle Learning students get to choose from a variety of electives on special topics, like Secret History, Ceramics, Dance, the Middle Learning Musical (7th and 8th grades only), and more.
Music Ensembles
Middle Learning Ensembles offer students a rich, hands-on experience in instrumental and vocal performance, composition, and music theory. Students choose and commit to chorus, band, or guitar ensemble from 5th through 7th grade.
Theatre
Our Middle Learning theatre program blends interdisciplinary collaboration, hands-on classes, and performance opportunities. 5th and 6th Graders take foundational drama classes, while Students in 7th and 8th grade may enroll in the Middle Learning musical as an actor or technician.
Technology
In Middle Learning, all 5th and 6th graders build foundational tech skills, from coding and game design to digital citizenship. 7th and 8th graders choose specialized electives like Robotics, Advanced Coding, and Moviemaking.
Visual Arts
Middle Learning visual arts classes foster creativity and skill-building through hands-on projects in a range of media, with all 5th and 6th graders participating during the school day and 7th and 8th graders choosing from elective offerings like painting, ceramics, and game design.
Kinetic Wellness
Kinetic Wellness combines physical education and personal well-being, with students developing sports skills, fitness, teamwork, and health knowledge through age-appropriate movement, games, and wellness practices.
Electives
Beyond their core Enrichment rotation, Middle Learning students choose from a wide range of dynamic electives spanning the arts, technology, wellness, world cultures, performance, and practical life skills, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and real-world application.