Our middle school centers on preparing students for the rigorous demands of high school and beyond. Emphasis is placed on the development of fluid, articulate writing skills and solid analytical thinking. All students graduate with high school credits in Algebra I as well as French I or Spanish I.
These demands and responsibilities also offer rewards. 7th and 8th graders take elective classes, which allow them to explore their interests in topics beyond the traditional curriculum. Some classes offered include knitting, life skills, yearbook, and The Clarion, a news broadcast show. In 8th grade, students enjoy the long-standing tradition of leaving campus to visit one of the nearby eateries for lunch on a weekly basis.
In middle school, formal character lessons are part of the advisory program curriculum, which is supported by the teacher advisors and our school counselor. Students also participate in a number of in-service projects that benefit local charities throughout the school year such as a community garden outreach project, work with the Charleston Animal Society, a yearly book drive, and a winter coat drive organized by the Student Council. All students participate in our annual Day of Service. Service activities provide opportunities for students to build meaningful relationships with their peers, teachers, and members of the community, fostering a sense of belonging and connection.
As students move into our middle school in the 6th grade, weekly character lessons transition into an Advisory Program. Advisors and students meet several times a month. The advisors, who are a mix of members of our faculty, provide guidance in the following layers of the middle school experience: Academics, Arts, Athletics, Character, Personal Effectiveness and Service. Each advisor supports a group of 5-8 students and provides guidance, oversees the students’ management of responsibilities, and helps them strive for personal levels of excellence academically, socially, creatively and physically. They help our older students chart a course of success for their middle school years.
The Advisory Program builds personal relationships between teachers and students by carving out time for them to spend together in a less formal setting.
As students advance through the grades, they always have a speaking part. Whether it is embodying and then explaining a vital civic role during the First Grade Community Helpers show, performing a role in a second language during a play, reciting Shakespeare for a dramatic reading, or addressing the student body in an assembly, we believe in the power and importance of every student’s voice. After all, what they learn today will no doubt impact how they lead tomorrow.
Learn more about our Public Speaking program.
Research proves that exposure to different languages at a young age opens the mind to different cultures and ways of life. Research also proves learning a second language encourages problem-solving, critical thinking and listening skills, in addition to improving memory, concentration, and the ability to multitask.
From 5th to 8th grade, students strive for grammar proficiency in the pursuit of fluency in their language of choice. Because students are exposed to French or Spanish cultures and actively engage in speaking the language, the classroom experience is vibrant and motivating. This proficiency level approach to world language study in the middle school produces confident graduates who are ready to successfully enter their high school language programs.
Almost every day, students leave our campus by foot to explore nearby historic sites or museums. Local experiences in the middle school include field trips to see live performances at nearby Dock Street Theatre, a tour of the Charleston Museum to enrich the study of Ancient Egypt, and regular visits to The Gibbes Museum by our 8th graders during their Junior Docent project each spring.
Beginning in 4th grade, Charleston Day students travel with their classmates on overnight trips in addition to the numerous local day-trip adventures. Whether on a barrier island at Jekyll Island or in Colonial Williamsburg, these trips provide countless learning opportunities both academically and socially. Field trips are an essential component of our curriculum and as such, the cost is covered by tuition.
Read more about our off-campus learning experiences.
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Charleston Day opened the first day of the school year by gathering the whole school in the parking lot ...
On May 28, the Charleston Day community participated in our annual Day of Service. Service activities provide opportunities for ...
