The middle school science curriculum extends and deepens the broad base of knowledge and skills scholars developed in elementary school. Through hands-on experiments in the lab and analysis of their findings, scholars refine their processes for inquiry, strengthen their analytical thinking, and hone sophisticated argumentative skills. Each grade of middle school is dedicated to one scientific discipline: Earth Science in 5th grade, Life Science in 6th grade, Chemistry in 7th grade, and Physics in 8th grade. Each year, scholars also undertake an exciting computer science unit.

The annual Science Exploratorium is Success Academy’s take on the traditional science fair. A month-long research extravaganza, science exploratorium gives scholars the opportunity to pursue their scientific and engineering interests and expand their knowledge of the scientific process. Scholars share their inventions, engineering feats, and research findings at a culminating expo event.

Our approach to middle school math solidifies scholars’ computational speed and accuracy while challenging them to reach deep conceptual mastery. Scholars hone their reasoning powers and calculation skills by actively tackling unfamiliar, contextualized problems that require logic, strategy, and application of prior knowledge to solve. By 8th grade, scholars are ready for Algebra I.

Our literature curriculum is, above all, about teaching students to uncover, analyze, and write about the powerful ideas in the texts they read. The curriculum centers on great works of literature and nonfiction, and is supplemented by connected texts in a range of genres — including poetry, first-person historical accounts, and articles — that illuminate essential background knowledge and critical themes. Scholars fall in love with the books they study, and find their analytical voice as they learn to formulate and effectively defend their own textual interpretations.

In dedicated writing classes throughout the year, scholars write for a wide variety of purposes, drawing on different genres and literary techniques. Scholars learn to use details and evidence to make their point, while upholding high standards of organization and grammar. We emphasize writing mastery in middle school because scholars will need excellent writing skills throughout their academic careers; good writing supports success across subjects. Once a trimester, scholars dive into a Write-a-Thon, a brainstorming, drafting, revising, and publishing extravaganza. Scholars compose original pieces within a selected genre, including historical fiction, murder mysteries, and poetry.

As they progress through the middle school history sequence, scholars build a strong foundation of historical knowledge, draw connections between the past and present, and develop an understanding of historical change and continuity. We’ve created a revolutionary curriculum that gives primary focus to the paramount historical events, ideas, and artistic movements that shaped our world — while also providing a broad base of knowledge. By high school, scholars are ready to tackle college-level material that prepares them to excel in AP History exams.

In middle school, scholars begin to take charge of their own learning. Our electives program is designed to give scholars more choice about which interests and talents to pursue. Our electives are as rigorous and engaging as any of our STEM and Humanities classes; we don’t consider them to be extra but rather a vital part of the curriculum. Electives vary by school, but can include drama, dance, chorus, painting and drawing, chess, speech and debate, journalism, robotics, Math Olympiad, or entrepreneurship.

We are committed to preparing our scholars for college, careers, and citizenship, and to do this, our schools must support their moral and pragmatic development. The advisory program provides a daily period when scholars meet with an advisor and a group of peers to self-reflect and discuss salient issues. Scholars develop close relationships with their advisors, who help them navigate challenges in and out of school and hone skills like time management. We want our scholars to make great choices and become self-advocates — all while receiving an outstanding education.