The goal of the Middle School program is to produce a confident and responsible learner. Students are challenged by a high school preparatory curriculum, combined with opportunities that address a variety of learning styles. Middle School students travel through a nine-period day, attending classes with heterogeneous or homogenous academic groupings, depending upon subject. Class size is typically between twelve and eighteen, with a total enrollment of about sixty students per grade.

There are many changes that take place in a young person during the middle school years. Children grow and develop physically, mentally, socially, emotionally and spiritually. These changes do not all occur at the same time in the same child, and no two students are on the same timetable. The middle school teachers at Indian Creek are true middle school educators. They take nothing for granted. They know that students must have many different experiences, a variety of teaching styles, and opportunities to learn skills that they may not have mastered in the past.

Both content and critical academic skills are taught. Teachers focus on learning tools and strategies that include outlining, note and test taking, writing, and public speaking. Participation in extra-curricular programs is encouraged and nurtured. Vocal and instrumental music, theater, student government, and athletics are but a few of the many options. The cost of the after school program is included in school tuition and that time period is an engaging, rewarding part of the day. The program is open to any student who wishes to stay.

The major subjects taught are English, literature, math, science, social studies and Spanish. Music, studio art, physical education, computer technology and human development are also important parts of the week. Time is also built into the schedule for chorus, band, and other musical activities.

English/Literature: We in the Middle School believe that students benefit greatly from a double dose of language arts. In English class, improvements in the writing process and public speaking flow naturally as a result of the time spent on grammar concepts and mechanics. Since the concepts are not taught in isolation, the value of the skills is immediately clear to the students. The rewards of the program become clear to others when our students demonstrate a more mature writing style and are able to give speeches with poise and power.

The literature program focuses on the study of various literary genres, the enhancement of vocabulary and the explanation and use of literary terms and techniques. Novels at every level explore diverse topics of interest that broaden the views of our students. Both classes pay a great deal of attention to nurturing the individual's writing skills.

Social Studies: The Middle School social studies curriculum is designed to utilize History and Humanities content material to reinforce skills developed in the Lower School. The curriculum is also used to present new academic skills at different developmental stages which will prepare students to attain mastery of these skills when they move on to the Upper School level. Sixth Grade classes explore diverse topics such as; geography, political and industrial revolutions, world religions, philosophy, and immigration. Seventh Grade is challenged by topics concerning American Revolution, global conflicts, the World Wars, economics and the Depression, US government and the Constitution. Eighth Grade investigates the theory of history as a spiral by following themes throughout the nineteenth and twentieth century both nationally and internationally including Civil and Equal Rights, wars and revolutions, capitalism, communism, the Cold War, social and cultural effects and phenomena, and art history.

Science: The middle school science curriculum is designed to give students the opportunity to acquire the basic skills necessary to succeed in high school science courses. Students learn to use scientific processes such as gathering and interpreting data, conducting tests, and formulating conclusions. The classroom environment promotes hands-on, constructivist, authentic methods of learning which include all learning styles. The National Science Education Standards are used as benchmarks throughout the curriculum. Students will use the skills and processes of science to investigate the following topics:

• 6th Grade- Life Science
• 7th Grade- Earth Science including Chesapeake Bay Science
• 8th Grade- Physical Science including a mini-term on Genetics and Forensics.

The middle school science curriculum is a rich and exciting one that has influenced many of our graduates in the past to continue taking as much science as possible in upper school and college, and we have a number of graduates who credit their middle school science experience with influencing their decision to make some branch of science a career. We recognize how important it is for students to understand the science behind current issues in the news. They need to understand the science involved in many issues in order to make good decisions about their own health and to understand the role science plays in the political life of our society. The study of science has never been more important than it is now. We hope to encourage students to leave middle school with the confidence to pursue in-depth science education in high school and college.

Math: The middle school math program reflects our commitment to the current NCTM Standards for Curriculum and Assessment, NCTM Curriculum Focal Points, as well as current research in the field. We emphasize problem-solving and concept development at appropriate developmental stages, with accommodations for various learning styles and for the different paces at which students develop. Math classes meet every day. Typically, there are two groupings available at each grade level.

Our highly competent, well-trained, and dedicated math teachers use varied and engaging teaching strategies to make math a relevant, powerful tool for problem solving. NCTM Curriculum Focal Points provides the framework for the curriculum, with computer and graphics technology used regularly to enhance the curriculum and add interest to lessons. All middle school math teachers use LCD projectors and SmartBoards to demonstrate math concepts interactively, using color, sound, and animation. In addition to our strong content-based focus, organizational and study skills and strategies are also taught throughout our math courses. Indian Creek students are known for their excellent preparation for high school math.

Spanish: The Spanish program has been developed to provide students with some understanding of the Hispanic world, both culturally and orally. The courses emphasize receptive and productive language skills using reading, writing, listening and speaking activities. The courses include, but are not limited to the following topics of study: salutations, friends, family, school, home, community, travel, leisure activities, clothing, stores, time, weather, celebrations, restaurants, food, geography, health and environment.

Middle school students have Spanish class five days a week from the 6th grade. By 7th grade, there is some grouping of students based on their demonstrated ability in using the language and by 8th grade, there is an Honors program for students who are unusually accomplished in the language.

Other Coursework: In addition to major courses, students take credit coursework in classroom music, and studio art which includes art history. They also have physical education classes several days per week and every student has human development once a week. Computer courses teach students the use of various suites of software, and computers are used by classroom teachers for projects that are integrated into the curriculum. There is a separate section of the web site that discusses our technology and our computer program.

A basic understanding of music and art are important for any student. Knowledge of the various historical trends in music and art enrich student understanding of their literature, social studies and history courses. Many middle school students discover an affinity for musical performance or studio art that they did not know they had, and enjoyment of the arts is encouraged and nurtured. The fact that there is a correlation between participation in musical and theater activities and high SAT scores is a tangential but encouraging factor that helps authenticate the importance of such study.

Physical education is a very important class for today's students. Three (6th grade) or four (7th and 8th grades) days a week, our students spend a period developing physical stamina, learning about conditioning and developing skills in various physical activities. Our program is based upon conditioning and teaching students to be active for life. It does not have a team sports orientation. We offer extensive team sports opportunities in our after school program.

Human development is a program that works to help students understand the way they are growing and changing. It is an important part of our middle school prevention program. In human development students learn important, accurate information about drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and other substances often available illegally to adolescents. Opportunities are provided for discussion of the content, of newspaper articles, magazine articles and other materials so that students will have thought through many of the issues before they have to make spur of the moment decisions. Many other issues are covered in human development including middle school gender relationships, body image, and developing character strengths. The primary purpose of the course is to reduce unhealthy risk taking and encourage healthy risk taking.