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MIDDLE SCHOOL

The Middle School offers students grades six through eight a comprehensive, challenging, purposeful and integrated academic program. The classroom experience emphasizes the interdisciplinary relationships among subjects, helping the Middle School student to learn about one subject through another. The programs in grades six through eight complement each other with a theme that unites the program for the year in History, Math, English, World Languages and Fine Arts. The Middle School celebrates the themes and ideas explored during a Fine Arts Festival in the spring term. The Middle School curriculum provides strategies tailored to each student's learning style that allow students to become critical and strategic thinkers as well as independent and confident learners in a global community. Teachers design their teaching methods around how their students learn best. They help students to absorb the material and utilize it to make connections and inferences. Learn more about the Sixth Grade, Seventh Grade, and Eighth Grade Programs.

A day in the life of a Middle School student...

A sixth grade student helps out at a homeless shelter in Philadelphia during the five-day Urban Adventure; a seventh grade student listens attentively to a Holocaust survivor who visits the school to share his experiences the day before a class trip to Washington, D.C. to visit the United States Holocaust Museum; and an eighth grade student dissects an eyeball on a field trip to the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.

The Middle School academic program is comprehensive, challenging, purposeful and integrated. Thematic teaching emphasizes the interdisciplinary relationships among subjects, helping the Middle School student learn about one subject through another. The programs in grades six through eight complement each other with a theme that unites the program for the year in many courses. The Middle School celebrates the themes and ideas explored during a Fine Arts Festival in the spring term.

Perk’s Middle School provides a balanced program in English, history, math, science, fine and performing arts, world languages and physical education. The curriculum provides strategies tailored to each student's learning style that allow all to become critical and strategic thinkers as well as independent and confident learners in a global community. Faculty design their teaching methods around how their students learn best. They help them absorb the material and utilize it to make connections and inferences.

Students can take advantage of a number of exceptional opportunities in the curriculum—to complete not only algebra but also geometry by the end of eighth grade; to take two full years of study in Latin, Spanish, German or Chinese; and to pursue courses in the arts such as Explorations in Acting, Drawing Technique and Composition, and instrumental lessons and ensembles.

Learn more about the Sixth Grade, Seventh Grade, and Eighth Grade Programs.

Middle School Academic Program

The Middle School Program operates in conjunction with the Upper School program but meets the unique needs of Middle School students. The Middle School faculty, coaches and dorm parents appreciate the energy and enthusiasm that is integral when working with Middle School students. Each Middle School student is assigned an advisor who not only serves for academic guidance, but also helps the student with all aspects of school life. Learn more about the Advisory Program

Outside of the classroom, students are busy after class on weekdays as well as weekends. Perk Middle School students enjoy engaging with other students and faculty which makes for a busy schedule. During the school day, the Middle School students can opt to take part in our Orchestra, Chorale or Strings Program in addition to the required art, theater and music classes. The programs inspire beginners as well as more advanced musicians, and lessons are available on campus for most instruments. Learn more about the Arts

Middle School Clubs meet on a weekly or monthly basis. Students can choose from the competitive Reading Olympics Team, the Math League, Student Senate, Chess Club, and The Middle School Eye, the Middle School Newspaper. Learn more about the Middle School Eye

After school, all Middle School students participate in the after school activities program from 3:15 to 4:30 p.m.. Middle School girls play field hockey, basketball and lacrosse, and the boys play soccer, basketball and lacrosse. During the winter term, the students can also swim or try out for the Middle School play. Learn more about Athletics.

On weekends, there is a lively selection of weekend activities in which the Middle School students can participate. Off campus, there are museum trips, movie trips, and much more. A select group of these trips are designed just for the Middle School community. On campus, there are movies, variety shows, open mic nights and casual athletic games (indoor soccer, volleyball, spirit activities) organized by the Upper and Middle School Senates. The Middle School Senate traditionally hosts three dances, a Halloween party and a pool party during the school year. Another popular tradition is the Middle School Fine Arts Festival in the spring. See school calendar for upcoming events

End of Year Expectations - Middle School students are required to be present at the Middle School Moving Up Ceremony at the end of the year. Speakers for the Middle School Moving Up Ceremony will be chosen for academic promise in the Upper School by a committee chaired by the Head of Middle School.