Grades Five, Six, Seven and Eight

In the Upper School, students learn to assume greater responsibility in the face of more complex academic and social experiences. The value of self-discipline and good study habits becomes increasingly clear as they are introduced to new areas of intellectual, artistic and social challenge. Beginning in Grade Five, students change classes for each subject and assume the responsibility for following their individual programs.

The emphasis of the mathematics curriculum is placed on integrating topics, verbal problem solving, terminology, algorithms, and most important, teaching for understanding as well as for the development of skills. Writing and reading are the chief activities in English. Weekly writing workshops aim to hone writing skills in a small group environment. Individual reading programs are designed for each student, and vocabulary study is based on words selected from the readings. The history curriculum in Grade Five focuses on Africa, Medieval European History, Islam and women in history, and in Grades Six and Seven on a comprehensive study of American history from the explorers to the 20th century. Students in Grade Eight explore 20th century world history. The study of French or Spanish continues in Grade Five, and moves from an emphasis on the spoken language to a greater stress on grammatical structures and active social usage. Latin is offered in Grades Seven and Eight. In science, the study of the relationship of people to the environment continues with emphasis on the life sciences in Grades Five and Seven and physical science in Grades Six and Eight.

Extra-curricular activities include varsity and junior varsity sports, literary magazine, yearbook, annual musical and dramatic productions, and science, computer and art fairs. Major class trips highlight each year—a weeklong science trip for Grade Six, and overnight trips outside New York City in Grades Five, Seven and Eight. In addition, students in Grades Seven and Eight have the opportunity to participate in an exchange program with families in Yukuhashi City, Japan and New Delhi, India. All Upper School students participate in a community service project and students in Grades Seven and Eight take part in an annual community service day.