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Middle School

Middle School (Grades 6 – 8)

As students emerge into middle school, MSA provides an environment where they can begin to expand their horizons and stretch themselves mentally, physically, and emotionally under the careful guidance of the middle school teacher team.

For the students, this will be their first experience of moving from class to class and taking instruction from subject specialists. Following the middle school philosophy, students are carefully transitioned from Grade 5 and elementary school and prepared for high school. Students are grouped in homeroom classes and will often have a different teacher for Math, Science, English Language Arts, Social Studies, and Religion. They will also have another teacher for their complementary courses.

In middle school, the teacher team works hard at developing a sense of community and learning so these young adults can thrive and find a sense of belonging.

Students will study core subjects all year:

  • Mathematics
  • Language Arts
  • Science
  • Social Studies
  • Religion
  • Students will also take Physical Education and Health

Students will have complementary (optional) courses. Depending on scheduling, these could be semestered or full-year courses:

 

  • Drama
  • Art
  • Music
  • Information Processing
  • Second Languages: French or Spanish
  • In Grade 6, these courses are done through an exploratory approach known as World Languages.
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As a parent, one of the things I value most about MSA is the strong sense of community and care that exists throughout it. It truly feels like an extension of family, where children are known, supported, encouraged, and genuinely cared for. The smaller class sizes and experienced teachers create an environment where students are not just another number, and it is clear the staff lead with both heart and high standards.

We have especially appreciated the Kagan Cooperative Learning approach, which encourages peer-to-peer learning, teamwork, confidence, and active participation in the classroom. The hands-on style of learning keeps the children engaged and excited about learning in a way that really works for them. One of the biggest things I’ve personally noticed is the growth in confidence in my children, confidence that simply was not there before. They feel more comfortable contributing, trying new things, and being themselves, which as a parent has been incredibly rewarding to watch.

MSA also does a wonderful job of guiding children through strong values and principles rooted in its religious foundation. Whether families are religious or not, the focus on compassion, integrity, understanding, and simply doing the right thing is something that stands out. It’s more than just a school environment, it’s a community that genuinely wants children to thrive both academically and as good people.

As a parent, what more could I hope for.

Rachael Rance
P’30,‘32
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The transition from a primary school environment to middle school is one that every family approaches with a degree of anticipation, and ours was no different. What has made this journey remarkably smooth is the school’s use of the Edsby platform — a communication tool that has proven to be an exceptional resource for our family. As a busy parent, I find great value in having a centralized, well-structured, and accessible platform that keeps me consistently informed and engaged in Christian’s academic life. From monitoring assignments to staying ahead of upcoming events, Edsby ensures that nothing is missed. Perhaps what I appreciate most is that it serves not only as a tool for parents, but as a forward-looking resource for students — equipping Christian with the awareness to excel today and prepare meaningfully for tomorrow.

Christian has settled beautifully into the MSA community, embracing its culture and becoming part of what I can only describe as a school family. It was, in fact, the school’s magazine that first drew my attention — the inspiring accomplishments of its students and the richness of the opportunities it offered spoke volumes before we had even stepped through the doors. What has since confirmed our decision is witnessing how MSA bridges the gap between academic learning and real-world exploration, giving students the means to take what they discover in the classroom and apply it meaningfully beyond it. The dedication of the teachers, combined with the thoughtful measures the school has implemented to nurture both the well-being and academic development of its students, has been a tremendous support for Christian. To any prospective parent considering MSA, I would say this — here is a school that does not simply educate your child, it invests in who they are becoming.

Crystal Richardson
P’32