Middle School

Grade 7 Curriculum

Grade 7 ELA

The Grade 7 ELA curriculum is designed to inspire a love for literature among students by presenting them with literature relevant to their lives. Grade 7 students get exposed to diverse, culturally relevant texts that build confidence, mastery of standards, and readiness for college and careers. The curriculum features exclusive texts by diverse authors and integrates tools for writing practice and feedback, as well as embedded routines for close reading to encourage students’ critical thinking and real-life application of texts. The course support analyzing and integrating knowledge, ideas, themes, and connections within and across texts, ensuring they are challenging and appropriately complex for seventh graders, it includes a variety of texts that are challenging and provide a text complexity analysis that contains appropriate quantitative and qualitative features, making them suitable for seventh graders. Grade 7 students learn how to cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text, determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text. Grade 7 students determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings. In writing, grade 7 students learn how to write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence. Grade 7 students learn how to write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content. They learn to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. Additionally, grade 7 students learn how to gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, using search terms effectively, assess the credibility and accuracy of each source, and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.

Grade 7 Math

In this engaging 7th-grade math curriculum, students will practice the world of proportional relationships by analyzing various representations such as tables, graphs, and equations. They will tackle multi-step percent problems with confidence and master operations with integers and rational numbers through addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Students will unlock the power of the Laws of Exponents to simplify expressions and solve computations with ease. Exploring the real number system, they will identify, calculate, and estimate irrational numbers, comparing them to rational numbers along the way. By applying properties of operations, students will simplify algebraic expressions and develop skills in writing and solving equations and inequalities. They will graph and write equations to represent linear relationships, enhancing their problem-solving abilities by describing and solving problems involving geometric figures. Also, our curriculum challenges students to solve real-world and mathematical problems related to area, surface area, and volume.

Grade 7 Science

The Grade 7 Science curriculum is designed to spark students’ interest and empower them to ask more questions, think more critically, and generate innovative ideas. This is done by providing an in-depth, collaborative, evidence-based learning experience through investigation and experimentation to place science students on the path to the school’s next grade level readiness. The course leads a balanced approach that establishes connections between the various disciplines of Life science, Earth/Space science and Physical science. For the “Life science” section, students study photosynthesis, cellular respiration, flow of energy, cycling of matter, and the changes, resources and interactions within ecosystems. They also learn the benefits of biodiversity and maintaining biodiversity. For the “Physical science” section, students study energy and states of matter, molecular structure and changes in temperature and pressure. They also study the properties of matter, property changes in chemical reactions, energy changes in chemical reactions. For the “Earth/Space science” section, students study the continents, shaping Earth’s surface, changing Earth’s surface, the cycling of Earth’s materials, earthquakes, volcanoes and severe weather. They also learn about natural resources, distribution of resources, depletion of resources, synthetic technology and impacts of synthetic materials.

Grade 7 Entrepreneurship

Throughout the grade 7 entrepreneurship course, students make significant progress in their entrepreneurial journey. The course focuses on developing students' skills to be able to conduct thorough research and create personalized career plans. In grade 7 students gain valuable insights into the job market and industry trends, empowering them to make informed decisions about their future paths. Additionally, students continue to learn about currency, goods, career clusters, and elevator pitches. These lessons deepened their understanding of these topics and equip them with the ability to effectively communicate their ideas. Moreover, students learn about social enterprise and explore the components of a business plan. Students learn how to gather, synthesize, and evaluate information for making informed marketing decisions. Additionally, students learn about product/service management, quality assurance, product mix, positioning, and other essential market considerations. This comprehensive curriculum will equip our students with valuable knowledge and skills in business and marketing.

Grade 7 World Language

Grade 7 students get to dive into the vibrant world of language and culture with our World Language program for Middle Schoolers. Whether students are fascinated by French, German (in 2026), or Spanish, our classes offer an immersive experience designed to ignite their passion for communication and understanding. Through interactive lessons, cultural exploration, and dynamic activities, students will not only master language skills but also gain a deeper appreciation for the diverse tapestry of our global community. Whether students are beginners eager to learn the language or a seasoned speaker ready to refine your skills, we offer a range of levels to suit students' needs.

Beginner level is designed for those who are new to the language or have minimal exposure. Students start with the basics, building a solid foundation in vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. Intermediate level is for learners who have some familiarity with the language but want to strengthen their grasp and expand their abilities and dive deeper into conversation, comprehension, and cultural nuances. The advanced level is tailored for proficient speakers seeking to refine their fluency and mastery.

Grade 7 History

Grade 7 students learn and investigate Prehistory events and the ancient civilizations of the Early River Valleys. Students are engaged with historical topics through a variety of projects and activities. They analyze sources to respond to important historical questions. They also build important literacy and critical thinking skills as they read and write about the events that shape history. Students study Prehistory, Western River Valley Civilizations, Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. In Prehistory unit, students study first humans, Paleolithic, & Neolithic Eras, the Agricultural Revolution, and the characteristics that make up a civilization. Additionally, students study the early civilizations in Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt along the Nile River. Grade 7 students also study the geography, people, and cultures of Ancient Greece and the development of Rome from the Republic to the Roman Empire and its fall.

Electives Catalogue: Middle School students select an elective from Swimming, Padel, Soccer, Basketball, Judo, Theatre, Filmography, Photography, Band, Drums, Guitar, Art, Crafting, Art & Culture, Robotics, Graphic Design, STEM, Puppetry, Middle School Newsletter, and Creative Writing. (See appendix p. 26 for more details)

Technolgy Integration: Our cutting-edge approach combines the adaptive learning platform of IXL, the rich content resources of HMH and McGraw Hill, and rigorous standard-based assessment tools. Through this integration, we pave the way for tailored learning journeys, catering to diverse student needs while ensuring alignment with educational standards.

Assessment: We employ a balanced approach to assessment, incorporating both formative assessments, which inform instruction and support learning as it happens, and summative assessments, which evaluate student mastery of content. Progress reports and report cards are issued every trimester. Students also sit for MAP tests 3 times a year. MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) is a normed, adaptive and standardized test from NWEA designed to measure students' academic progress and growth in various subjects like mathematics, reading, and language usage.

In Grade 7, we also offer other content areas such as Arabic, PE, ICT, Arabic Social Studies, and Religion.

Grade 8 Curriculum

Grade 8 ELA

Grade 8 ELA is a curriculum crafted to engage students in an in-depth exploration of literature and informational texts, enhance writing skills across various forms and purposes, and foster effective communication and language mastery. In reading students will dive into a rich array of literature, including classic and contemporary works, poetry, dramas, and novels from diverse cultures. Through analytical reading, students will explore themes, character development, and structural elements of texts, delve into narrative structure, plot development, character analysis, and setting. Grade 8 students study poetry and its forms; discover the beauty of language in poetry, analyzing rhyme, rhythm, and imagery. Moreover, they learn about drama and performance; understand the elements that bring drama to life, both on the page and on the stage. 8th graders will also learn about non-fiction and real-world stories. Themes in literature investigate common themes such as identity, conflict, love, and loss across various texts. The reading material in grade 8 is a curated selection of works that may include novels, short stories, poems, and plays from authors around the world. Texts will be chosen to ensure cultural diversity and relevance to the age group. Grade 8 students learn about informational texts and are provided opportunities to evaluate arguments, identify central ideas, and understand the interplay of facts and author’s perspective. In writing students will engage in writing narratives, argumentative essays, and explanatory texts. The focus will be on developing a clear writing style, using precise language, and organizing information logically. Research projects will encourage students to gather relevant information from multiple sources, use evidence effectively, and cite sources appropriately. The ELA course emphasizes the importance of discussion to learn from and with others. Students will participate in collaborative discussions, present information clearly and persuasively, and evaluate the arguments and evidence presented by others.

Grade 8 Math

Within the Math curriculum, 8th-grade students will work on writing and evaluating numerical and algebraic expressions, simplifying expressions using the Distributive Property, and solving linear equations and proportions. They will also explore absolute value expressions, utilize formulas to solve real-world problems, and determine if a relation is a function. Additionally, students will delve into graphing linear and nonlinear functions, finding function values, identifying transformations on graphs, and creating linear equations in different forms. Students will analyze data using scatter plots, correlations, and linear inequalities and solve equations systems using various methods and technology. Students will also develop their geometric knowledge by working with points, lines, angles, and two- and three-dimensional figures, while focusing on precision and accuracy in measurements. Moreover, students will engage in logical reasoning, including proving conjectures, working with transformations, exploring symmetry, using triangle sum theorems, and proving triangles congruent through different criteria, all to enhance their problem-solving skills and mathematical proficiency.

Grade 8 Science

The Grade 8 Science curriculum is designed to spark students’ interest and empower them to ask more questions, think more critically, and generate innovative ideas. This is done by providing an in-depth, collaborative, evidence-based learning experience through investigation and experimentation to place science students on the path to the school’s next grade level readiness. In this course, students focus on studying “Physical science” section which includes motion, position, forces, acceleration, force pairs, gravitational force, kinetic and potential energy, conservation of energy, magnetic and electric forces, simple circuits and electromagnetism, wave properties, mechanical wave interactions, how light travels, mirrors, lenses, reflection, refraction, communicating with signals and modern communication with digital signals. They also study particles in motion, states of matter, thermal energy transfers and conductivity, energy, states of matter, changes in temperature and pressure, molecular structure, properties of matter, property changes in chemical reactions, energy changes in chemical reactions, synthetic

Grade 8 Entrepreneurship

In grade 8, students explore the intersection of business and society, learning about entrepreneurial characteristics and studying successful entrepreneurs. Grade8 students learn to analyze the impact of economic and social environments on businesses. Additionally, students delve into topics such as market assessment, consumerism, financial management, and identity theft. Moreover, students gain a deeper understanding of market research, responsible financial practices, and the importance of protecting personal information. In grade 8 students work on creating a business magazine that embraces diverse perspectives with a focus on developing skills in synthesizing comments, claims, and evidence, while also identifying areas for further research.

Grade 8 World Language

Grade 8 students get to dive into the vibrant world of language and culture with our World Language program for Middle Schoolers. Whether students are fascinated by French, German (in 2027), or Spanish, our classes offer an immersive experience designed to ignite their passion for communication and understanding. Through interactive lessons, cultural exploration, and dynamic activities, students will not only master language skills but also gain a deeper appreciation for the diverse tapestry of our global community. Whether students are beginners eager to learn the language or a seasoned speaker ready to refine your skills, we offer a range of levels to suit students' needs.
Beginner level is designed for those who are new to the language or have minimal exposure. Students start with the basics, building a solid foundation in vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. Intermediate level is for learners who have some familiarity with the language but want to strengthen their grasp and expand their abilities and dive deeper into conversation, comprehension, and cultural nuances. The advanced level is tailored for proficient speakers seeking to refine their fluency and mastery.

Grade 8 American History

The American History course offers a comprehensive exploration of key historical periods and events. Students begin by studying early migrations, including the Paleo-Indians and their use of the Bering Land Bridge. They then delve into the achievements and cultural structures of Native American civilizations across the continent. Shifting their focus to Europe, students explore the feudal system, the Renaissance, and the age of exploration led by Portuguese explorers. The course also covers the Spanish conquest of America and its lasting impact. In the later modules, students examine the establishment of English colonies, including Jamestown, New England, and the middle colonies, with a focus on challenges, self-governance, trade, and the role of slavery. The course concludes with an exploration of what led to the American Revolution and the ongoing repercussions on society today.
Electives Catalogue: Middle School students select an elective from Swimming, Padel, Soccer, Basketball, Judo, Theatre, Filmography, Photography, Band, Drums, Guitar, Art, Crafting, Art & Culture, Robotics, Graphic Design, STEM, Puppetry, Middle School Newsletter, and Creative Writing. (See appendix p. 26 for more details)

Technolgy Integration: Our cutting-edge approach combines the adaptive learning platform of IXL, the rich content resources of HMH and McGraw Hill, and rigorous standard-based assessment tools. Through this integration, we pave the way for tailored learning journeys, catering to diverse student needs while ensuring alignment with educational standards.

Assessment: We employ a balanced approach to assessment, incorporating both formative assessments, which inform instruction and support learning as it happens, and summative assessments, which evaluate student mastery of content. Progress reports and report cards are issued every trimester. Students also sit for MAP tests 3 times a year. MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) is a normed, adaptive and standardized test from NWEA designed to measure students' academic progress and growth in various subjects like mathematics, reading, and language usage.

In Grade 8, we also offer other content areas such as Arabic, PE, ICT, Arabic Social Studies, and Religion.

By providing a comprehensive transition curriculum that addresses academic, social, and emotional needs, we empower students to thrive in high school and beyond, prepared to embrace new challenges, pursue their passions, and achieve their full potential.