middle School

Exploration, Transformation, and Joy

Hewitt’s middle school invites girls to embrace early adolescence as a time of exploration, transformation, and joy. Our learning culture is rooted in empathy—the ability to put oneself in another’s shoes—and Hewitt girls cultivate this essential habit of mind as both an intellectual and emotional practice. Middle school girls learn to support each other during a time of significant individual change, and their teachers serve as coaches and mentors in resisting pressures to conform and developing a sense of purpose as they explore who they are as young people.

Dr. Paula CUELLO, HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL

MIDDLE school curriculum overviews

English

Fifth Grade
Students learn the art of constructing well-organized paragraphs and essays and practice presenting their ideas logically and cohesively. From personal narratives that reflect their own experiences to analytical paragraphs that dissect ideas, students have multiple opportunities to share their thoughts, experiences, and insights in writing. Novels such as The Giver (Lois Lowry) and anthologies such as Flying Lessons and Other Stories (Kwame Alexander) help students sharpen their factual and inferential reading comprehension skills. They analyze overall craft, setting, character and plot development, and theme to uncover the author’s message and intended purpose. Grammar, mechanics and vocabulary studies are ongoing throughout the year and focus specifically on parts of speech and capitalization. Teacher feedback, quizzes, writing assignments, and self-evaluation provide opportunities for assessment and improvement.

Sixth Grade
Students ramp up their English skills as they tackle novels including Jacqueline Woodson’s Harbor Me and George Orwell’s Animal Farm. They explore character, identity, belonging, and citizenship through multiple genres including modern literature, personal narratives, poetry, and short stories. Throughout the year, they practice strategies to move from writing paragraphs to longer form essays. Students learn how writers use literary techniques to develop their authentic voice, engage in a deep study of character development, and examine how literary devices effectively communicate theme and message. Specific instruction in vocabulary and grammar — especially parts of speech, sentence structure, and prepositional phrases — supplements the study of literature throughout the year and is assessed through both quizzes and writing assignments.

Seventh Grade
Students engage in an exciting, immersive introduction to American literature, with a focus on exploring identity in both fiction and poetry. Through the works of influential authors like John Steinbeck, Sandra Cisneros, and Langston Hughes, students engage with diverse voices that shape American literary heritage. In this course, students are encouraged to think deeply and critically about essential questions, such as: How do our social identities shape our experiences? How can we uphold our dignity in the face of adversity? And how do we navigate obstacles to our aspirations? Through a combination of analytical and creative writing, students hone their critical thinking skills to write multiple five paragraph essays, expand their imaginations, and engage in thought-provoking discussions. The course syllabus is designed to foster a love of literature and includes novels such as Deadly (Julie Chibbaro), Of Mice and Men (John Steinbeck), Displacement (Kiku Hughes ), Fly Girl (Sherri L. Smith), and The House on Mango Street (Sandra Cisneros). Students also develop expressive and reflective writing skills that empower them to explore and articulate complex ideas.

Eighth Grade
Eighth grade English centers on critical reading and persuasive writing skills. Students engage with both classical and modern texts including Oedipus Rex, Antigone, The Odyssey, Persepolis, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and a variety of dystopian novels as they explore the question: How do we define a hero? Students have ample opportunities for creative writing through narrative pieces and poetry and also focus on analytical paragraph and essay writing. Longer essays offer an opportunity to deepen their analysis of a text as they develop a thesis, choose quotations, outline, draft, and revise their writing. Students receive feedback from their teacher — in one-on-one conferences and in written responses to drafts — that emphasizes their strengths and highlights areas for improvement. Specific instruction in vocabulary and grammar supplements the grade’s study of literature and is assessed through both quizzes and writing assignments.

History

Fifth Grade
Fifth grade history is guided by the essential question: What is a civilization? Throughout the year, students explore diverse ancient civilizations worldwide, discovering their adaptations, innovations, and ultimately, their profound impacts on our modern world. As budding historians, students refine their research skills by analyzing artifacts, maps, and historical records to piece together the intricate puzzle of civilizations. Students also engage in discussions, debates, hands-on activities, and writing assignments to understand the connections and patterns that link ancient civilizations to one another and to our world today. Units of study include: Human Migration; Ancient Mesopotamia; Ancient Egypt; African Empires: Mali and Ghana; Ancient China and the Silk Road; Early People of Meso-South America.

Sixth Grade
Sixth grade history students delve into the foundations of human society, tracing the evolution from nomadic lifestyles to settled agricultural communities during the Neolithic Revolution. As they study diverse cultures, students gain insight into influential belief systems, technologies, and governance structures. They journey through time, witnessing the rise of great empires and the interconnectedness of trade networks, and fostering a deep understanding of the cultural exchanges that shaped the course of history and a broader perspective on the world's interconnectedness. Units of study include: Exploring the Eastern Hemisphere and the Neolithic Revolution; World Religions: Complex Societies and Belief Systems; Greek and Roman Civilizations; The Byzantine Empire; The Middle Ages, The Mongol Empire.

Seventh Grade
Seventh graders learn to think like a historian: to question, research, think critically, interpret evidence, make connections, and evaluate the past. This course presents multiple perspectives reflecting early American history's diverse experiences. Students examine the relationship between Indigenous tribes, the influence of European colonization, and the juxtaposition of American ideals of liberty with the realities faced by enslaved individuals and marginalized communities. The course emphasizes analyzing primary sources, investigating causal relationships, examining different historical lenses, and engaging in open discourse. Assessments take on a variety of forms, including essays and projects. Units of study include: Before Contact: The First Peoples of the Americas; Clash of Cultures: Encounters, Exchanges, and Impact of Exploration; Colonial America and the Transatlantic Slave Trade; The American Revolution.

Eighth Grade
Eighth grade historians explore the evolution of citizenship, equality, and justice in Early America through the 20th century. The year begins with a study of Greek influence on early American governance and its role in shaping American democracy. Students examine interconnected narratives on both domestic and global scales to develop an evolving understanding of individual rights, representation, and societal responsibilities. They study different leaders who have used their voices to advocate for positive change and learn about the significance of collective force to instigate change. The course emphasizes analyzing primary sources, investigating causal relationships, examining different historical perspectives, and engaging in open discourse. Assessments take on a variety of forms, including essays and projects. Units of study include: The Birth of a New Nation; Manifest Destiny and Its Consequences; A Nation Divided: Sectionalism and the Civil War; Reconstruction, The Great Migration and the Harlem Renaissance; The Holocaust and World War II: Exploring Historical Intersections.

Mathematics

Fifth Grade
Fifth grade math is a joyful exploration of numerical and geometric patterns through reasoning, real-world problem solving, and rich inquiry. The course uses an inquiry based approach that emphasizes open ended problems with multiple pathways to solutions. Students learn to persevere through mistakes, articulate their ideas and critical thinking skills, and work collaboratively through problems. They receive both formative and summative assessments to document their growth and understanding. Topics covered include:

Place value system
Comparing and ordering numbers to millions
Using rounding to estimate
Performing operations with multi-digit whole numbers
Reading, writing, and ordering decimals to thousandths
Using equivalent fractions as a strategy to add and subtract fractions and extending this understanding to multiply and divide fractions
Representing and interpreting data
Identifying and articulating mathematical patterns
Graphing and interpreting patterns on a coordinate plane
Using two and three dimensional shapes to discover volume and area

Sixth Grade
In sixth grade, students use mathematics to make sense of the world around them. As they develop new skills and solidify old ones, students have opportunities to recognize and apply mathematics in other contexts and to think about ways in which they can and do use mathematics in many aspects of their lives. Sixth graders focus on making sense of challenging problems and persevere in solving them, all while developing skills in becoming collaborative problem solvers and critical thinkers. Students learn how to communicate their ideas, present and justify their solutions, and reflect on those solutions. They work individually, in small groups, and as a class to solve new and unfamiliar problems, practice skills, and make connections across topics in mathematics. Topics covered include:

Problem Solving
Numerical Expressions
Fractions and Decimals
Ratios and Rates
Percents
Algebraic Expressions and Properties
Equations
Area, Surface Area, and Volume
3-Dimensional Geometry
Probability
Statistics

Seventh Grade
Foundations of Algebraic Thinking is one of the basic building blocks of mathematics. Throughout this course, students investigate rational numbers and explore expressions, equations, inequalities, linear relationships, functions, percents, and geometry. These topics all work in cohesion to equip seventh graders with the tools and skills they need for Algebra and their future mathematics courses. Students are asked to engage in problem solving and mathematical modeling and to generalize and make connections between mathematics concepts and the real world. They learn to make sense of challenging problems and persevere in solving them, all while developing skills in becoming collaborative problem solvers and critical thinkers. They are expected to communicate their ideas, present and justify their solutions, and reflect on those solutions. Students in this course work individually, in small groups, and as a class to solve new and unfamiliar problems, practice skills, and make connections across topics in mathematics. Topics covered include:

Problem Solving
Adding and Subtracting Rational Numbers
Multiplying and Dividing Rational Numbers
Expressions
Equations and Inequalities
Ratios and Proportions
Percents
2-Dimensional Geometry (Perimeter, Area, Circumference and Angles)
3-Dimensional Geometry (Surface Area and Volume)
Probability
Statistics

Eighth Grade
In eighth grade algebra, students extend their knowledge of linear equations, inequalities, and systems of linear equations and inequalities. They also deepen their understanding of functions and their ability to represent, interpret, and communicate about them using function notation, domain and range, average rate of change, and features of graphs. Students learn about linear functions and piecewise-defined functions, exponential and quadratic functions, and quadratic equations. They focus on developing the ability to use equations to model relationships and solve problems and learn how to write, transform, graph, and solve equations—by reasoning, rearranging equations into useful forms, and applying the quadratic formula. Students are asked to engage in problem solving and mathematical modeling and to generalize and make connections between concepts and the real world. They are expected to communicate their ideas, present and justify their solutions, and reflect on those solutions. Students in this course work individually, in small groups, and as a class to solve new and unfamiliar problems, practice skills, and make connections across topics in mathematics. Topics covered include:

Solving and Graphing Linear Equations and Inequalities
Solving and Graphing Systems of Linear Equations and Inequalities
Exponential Functions and Sequences
Polynomial Equations and Factoring
Quadratic Equations and Functions
Statistics and Data Display

Science

Fifth Grade
Welcome to the world of Physical and Earth Science! Fifth grade students grab their goggles and delve into the physical world around them through hands-on experiments, enriching discussions, and scientific investigations. Questions will be answered around the phenomena of matter, chemical and physical changes, the evolving Earth, and beyond! Students discover the changing states of matter, how matter cycles through an ecosystem, and how our Earth is constantly moving and changing. As stewards of our Earth, fifth graders develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of the beauty of our world and prepare to take on new concepts in sixth grade Life Science.

Sixth Grade
Hold onto your lab coats! Sixth graders embark on a thrilling voyage into the captivating realm of Life Science! From the tiniest cells to the mightiest ecosystems, students explore the secrets of life itself through exciting lessons and experiments around cells, matter and energy, ecosystems, natural selection, heredity, growth, and development. By the end of the school year, science won't just be a class but a passport to understanding and engaging with the world, placing students in the perfect position to learn about Earth and space as seventh graders.

Seventh Grade
Seventh graders embark on a journey to deepen their appreciation for Earth and the universe, while also empowering them to become informed and responsible stewards of our planet. As they explore the wonders of our planet and the solar system through hands-on activities, thought-provoking discussions, and scientific investigations, students develop a deeper understanding of Earth's place in the cosmos and the intricate systems that shape our world. In this course, students will investigate questions including:

How are we connected to the patterns we see in the sky and space?
Where do natural disasters happen and how do we prepare for them?
How do changes in the Earth’s system impact our communities and what can we do about it?

Eighth Grade
In this engaging and interactive course, students delve into the fundamental concepts that govern the behavior of matter, energy, and forces. Through hands-on experiments, interactive discussions, and thought-provoking activities, students develop a deep understanding of the natural world around them. By the end of this course, students will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to think critically, analyze phenomena scientifically, and appreciate the beauty of the physical world. Through interactive learning experiences, they will be prepared to continue their journey into more advanced scientific concepts and applications in the field of physical science.

Educational Technology and STEM

Through our middle school Innovation classes, students get hands-on experience in foundational woodworking, hand tools, and construction skills, as well as the fundamentals of digital fabrication. They learn to plan parts and dimensions with drawings, cut and fasten with wood, and explore using additional materials to create final products. Students become familiar with safety practices and techniques for using different types of saws, measuring tools, drills, hammers, screwdrivers, and 3D printers. Sustainability is an ongoing focus as students examine where materials come from, how they are used, and where those materials go when they are finished with them.

Fifth grade projects focus on developing woodworking skills by making a wooden figure and building functional catapults. Students also participate in engineering challenges such as making gliders and an egg drop challenge.

In sixth grade, students complete a variety of STEM-based challenges to help them grow increasingly independent and sophisticated in their use of digital fabrication tools such as 3D printers and laser cutters.

Seventh graders develop skills with coding and digital tools to make graphics and interactive programs. Their projects can range from building an informative website and training an artificial intelligence model to making a game or designing and building a laser cut wood diorama.

In eighth grade, students use the engineering process to plan and execute handmade projects. They continue refining their skills while using hand and machine tools to work with a variety of materials. Projects include handcrafting a character out of a block of wood and using 3D modeling software to design and print their own tools.

World Languages and Classics

Hewitt students continue the study of Spanish throughout middle school, and we offer French as an alternative language option based on student interest. Language classes come alive with dynamic conversations about the everyday lives of students as well as the music, art, and culture of Francophone and Spanish-language communities. We teach classes almost entirely in the target language, so students gain a good ear for the spoken word and grow confident in their own ability to communicate. Grammar and vocabulary instruction occur daily and we expect students to review work at home not only on paper but using apps that allow them to practice listening and speaking.

Our world languages faculty members take advantage of the many neighborhoods in the city that speak French and Spanish, as well as the many cultural institutions that provide educational programming, often in the target language.

Beginning in grade eight, students add Latin I to their schedule, a half-credit course that covers the first book of the Cambridge Latin series. Many students continue to take Latin as an elective in the upper school. Through their study of Latin, students explore the relationship of Latin words to English derivatives, patterns of word endings and syntax, and the culture and history preserved in the archaeology of Pompeii.

Visual Arts

Hewitt educates girls to see the world through multiple lenses. Our middle school visual arts program exposes students to a wide range of media as they work on 2D, 3D, and digital projects.

Fifth Grade
Students learn about the processes and procedures in the middle school art room through their work with clay. It's a messy place to start and a great way to jump in! In addition to their explorations in clay, fifth graders focus on the artistic process and use sketchbooks and photography to document their growth and development.

Sixth Grade
Sixth graders continue the in-depth sketchbooking work they developed in fifth grade, and explore drawing with a variety of materials, techniques, and tools. Later in the year, students bring their drawings to life through printmaking and experimental explorations with color and line.

Seventh Grade
Students begin the year with an interdisciplinary exploration of tessellations. After understanding how shapes and geometry are key to making a tessellation and learning about the work of M.C. Escher, students create their own hand-drawn tessellations and use 3D rendering software to laser cut their design onto a wood board, which is then used for printmaking.

In the spring semester, seventh graders explore more studio processes in drawing and painting. They learn the basics of perspective drawing to create an interior or landscape drawing, the skill of using a grid to enlarge an artwork, and research and present biographical information about an artist of their choosing.

Eighth Grade
In eighth grade, students bring their growing creative expression to a variety of new and familiar mediums. Students continue using sketchbooks to document their progress and development as artists and dive deeper into a variety of projects including ceramics and printmaking.

Performing Arts

With a founding head of school who grew up on the cobbled streets of Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon, and whose infectious passion for performance inspired her to establish a school where theater and drama would enhance and enrich the entire curriculum, Hewitt has long celebrated the role of the performing arts. They play a central role in keeping vital traditions alive while also bringing the best research on music, drama, and dance education to bear on the curriculum.

In middle school, we provide students with three music ensemble options: vocal choir; handbell choir; or strings (violin, viola, and cello). Every middle school student also participates in drama class, which forms an important cog in the wheel of our public speaking program, as girls gain confidence on the stage and learn various modes of speaking and acting.

Dance also provides a resource for our girls in movement and positive body image just as they enter puberty. Middle school dance combines dance foundation, technique, and strengthening with compositional work aimed at expanding creativity and out-of-the-box thinking.

Music Courses:
5th Grade Choir
6th Grade Choir
7th Grade Choir
8th Grade Choir

5th Grade Handbell Choir
6th Grade Handbell Choir
7th Grade Handbell Choir
8th Grade Handbell Choir

5th Grade Strings
6th Grade Strings
7th Grade Strings
8th Grade Strings

Drama and Dance Courses:
Drama 5: Storytelling and Performance
Drama 6: Physical Theatre and Movement
Drama 7: Performance and Scripted Materials
Drama 8: Realism: Monologue and Scene Work
Dance 8: Dance Analysis

Middle School Theater Production
Spring: Middle School Musical (5th through 8th grades)

Physical Education

In middle school, the physical education curriculum focuses on each student’s continuous development of physical fitness attributes, movement skills, and physical literacy. The program features a strengthening curriculum, with important development standards. The program involves the application of concepts, skills, and strategies to the ability to perform in-class exercises like fitness, group activities, and fundamentals of sports.

We also provide students with opportunities to develop leadership skills and work in small groups to solve problems or accomplish tasks. This fosters diverse capabilities and meets the social needs of individual students. Through purposeful learning activities, students refine motor, social, and intellectual skills while expanding physical knowledge, embracing a fit and active lifestyle.

Service Learning and Community Purpose

Our middle school service learning program provides students with hands-on, community-focused experiences that create a sense of responsibility toward one another for our shared spaces and environment. All middle school students have the opportunity to participate in Hewitt’s school-wide service initiatives, including our annual K-12 Day of Service and our weekly food rescue, which is led by upper school students. All middle school students also partner with the Upper School Student Service Board to make sandwiches and bagged lunches for the All Souls Friday Soup Kitchen.

Additionally, students who are especially passionate about service and sustainability work can choose to join Hewitt’s Middle School Sustainability Team. This group of dedicated students leads our school-wide paper recycling and Terracycle programs and participates in service projects beyond our campus in Central Park, with the New York City Parks Department, and through the Billion Oyster Project. They also have opportunities to engage in collaborative work with our lower and upper school sustainability teams. Several of our middle school service opportunities grow into even more immersive service-focused learning experiences in our upper school.

Grade 8 Capstone Project

The capstone project is a culminating cross-curricular assignment in which eighth graders work in small groups to identify and address areas where they can have an impact on their school or local community. Students conduct extensive research to understand their chosen issue — its causes, both direct and cumulative, as well as its impacts on people and/or the environment. Throughout the capstone project, students learn what it means to be an ethical leader by examining their issue from multiple perspectives and developing a prototype or action plan to bring about the change they envision. This hands-on approach not only reinforces the research skills acquired in seventh grade but also prepares students for future academic work, including Hewitt's research seminar class in ninth grade and Extended Inquiry projects in high school. By focusing on local and community-based problems, students have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in their immediate environment while embodying the values of The Hewitt School.

Learning Lab

Our middle school Learning Lab provides every student with ongoing opportunities to be stretched academically and expand on concepts they are learning in class. Middle schoolers are grouped into different Learning Labs based on their specific interests and needs. For example, a student who excels in a particular subject can work closely with their teacher to deepen skills, explore new challenges, and extend their learning beyond what is being covered in class. Learning Lab also serves as an important time for students to get additional help with specific concepts or skills that have been introduced in class. Middle school teachers use assessment data as well as classroom observations to determine which Learning Lab group will best support each student. These groups are flexible and change as needed, ensuring that we support every student’s growth and academic success in a focused and personalized way.

Click here to view examples of student-led clubs and publications offered at Hewitt.

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