Middle School

Middle School is all about discovery and trying things on—from clothes and identities to attitudes and worldviews.

At the GDS Middle School, we cultivate a welcoming, inclusive environment where students are supported and stretched in taking positive risks during this critical phase of development. Our coursework and extracurricular activities encourage curiosity, collaboration, and critical thinking and lean on students’ deepening sense of justice and fairness. During these dynamic years, we help students cultivate self-awareness, build healthy peer relationships, and increase their independence. By embracing the joys and challenges of early adolescence, the Middle School faculty helps students claim their strengths and talents and connect their interests and passions to the needs of their communities.

322

Students in Middle School, 5th-8th grade

100

% participation in 20 team sports and performing arts in 7th & 8th grade

14

Annual student performances

87.5

Hours spent in Middle School Community Engagement work

Signature Programs

Social Justice Teach-In Day

STEAM Day

Student Life

GDS emphasizes a comprehensive education designed to prepare students for a lifetime of learning and a healthy appreciation of their world and its opportunities. Get a feel for what a typical day is like for a GDS Middle School student with the example schedule shared below.

8:15 a.m.

Our School Day Begins/Advisory

MS students begin their day in their advisories, made intimate with an average of 11 members. Most GDS MS students report that they have an adult to connect with at school, and advisory is a place focused on building that strong adult-student partnership.

8:35 a.m.

Science

MS scientists experience lab work, applying the scientific method and the engineering design process, while studying Earth science, coding and robotics, engineering, biology, chemistry, and physics across their four years of middle school.

9:25 a.m.

History

MS historians think analytically, evaluate sources, and engage in research to study the past, make connections to the present day, and understand how they can be agents of change.

10:15 a.m.

Languages

GDS MS students have a choice of taking Chinese, French, or Spanish, developing language proficiency and learning about world cultures.

11:15 a.m.

Lunch, Recess, Clubs

A nutritious meal is served every day in our café, where students have access to a salad bar, hot meal (including vegetarian options), pasta bar, and more. Check out the menu

MS students need to move their bodies, too: our world-class playground provides multiple opportunities to play and hang out with friends.
Take a slide!

This is also the time of day when clubs meet. See the list of student-led offerings below.

12:05 p.m.

English

MS students head to high school with a solid literary base, strong writing skills, and the ability to discuss a wide range of ideas in order to effect change in the world.

12:55 p.m.

Math

MS mathematicians think critically, justify their reasoning, and build conceptual understanding. They work in collaborative spaces where persistence, multiple perspectives, and learning from setbacks and success are nurtured.

1:45 p.m.

Arts

As students grow in the Arts program, they first rotate through a required core curriculum (in 5th-6th grade: studio arts, theater, and music) and an elective enrichment curriculum (band, chorus, and dance) to an all enrichment curriculum in 7th-8th grade with studio arts, theater, and innovation as additional options.

2:15 p.m.

Athletics/P.E.

MS P.E. and athletics provides students with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to become physically active over a lifetime.

View Middle School Curriculum

View Middle School Curriculum

Arts (5)

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Traditions

Building community and a sense of belonging is at the heart of our GDS traditions. From our all-school celebrations to Middle School specialties, these traditions foster a shared identity that follows our Hoppers through to adulthood, creating fond memories, enhancing the learning experience, and building a holistic school culture. Learn more about our all school traditions.

LEARN MORE
about our all school traditions

Clubs & Activities

Health and Wellness

At GDS, we believe student health and wellness are the keys to unlocking potential—both in the classroom and beyond.

That’s why we go beyond the basics, building meaningful connections, weaving wellness into learning, and creating daily moments of balance and joy. From energizing activities to mindful breaks, everything we do is designed for students to thrive and build healthy habits for life.

Curriculum

In Middle School health, students dive into five dynamic units each year—each one tailored to their growing minds and changing lives. As they move through the grades, the content evolves to match their developmental stage, keeping things fresh, relevant, and real. With a strong focus on open, healthy conversations, our health education team helps students build self-awareness, make informed choices, and engage with accurate, inclusive, and up-to-date information.

Here’s a glimpse at what students explore:

Here’s a glimpse at what students explore:

Sexual education, relationships, and consent – Navigating physical changes, friendships, and intimacy with confidence and care.
My brain – Discovering the amazing things it can do—and how to harness its full power.
Mental health – Understanding emotions and learning how to manage them in healthy, meaningful ways.
Drugs, alcohol & nutrition – Making smart choices about what goes into the body and why it matters.
Media literacy & digital citizenship – Exploring identity in the digital world and learning to navigate it thoughtfully and safely.

Building Connections

GDS knows that when students feel seen and known, their academic success follows—as does the strength of our community. That’s why we invest time and energy into ensuring students are nurtured. Here’s a few of the ways:

Advisory - Daily morning conversations and activities ensure each day starts with a crucial point of connection.
Surveys - Biannual surveys ask students to share how they feel about school, friendships, adult connections and more. We couple these data with faculty surveys to ensure all of our students have multiple connections to trusted adults.

Establishing Balance

GDS is committed to helping students understand the importance of finding balance. Here are some ways the Middle School helps student manage their time, reduce stress, and find a healthy equilibrium between schoolwork and mental health:

Recess & P.E. - GDS middle schoolers have both structured and unstructured opportunities for movement and breaks, with daily recess periods and P.E./athletics.
Study Hall - Students use this quiet, welcoming time for homework and an opportunity to connect with their teachers or student support team for additional assistance.
Academic Support - Middle School learning specialists support students in various ways, from individual assistance to group study skill workshops. Learn more about Academic support.

Our Stories

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