Act Differently
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Welcome to the Middle School
Endless Self-Discovery
Students are told from a young age they need to focus their interests. By the time they reach adolescence -- precisely the time when they should be broadening their passions and talents -- they are instead becoming specialists.
Our children deserve schools that encourage self-discovery and build their confidence in exploring more things -- not picking one thing. King School sets a better standard by cultivating a student-centered environment in a private school where children thrive because they can become “both/and”: a rower and a robot-maker, a designer and a defenseman, a chemist and a choreographer.
A Better Standard for Middle School
When adolescents can delve into an expansive range of interests and topics, they are more likely to discover the multitude of their talents and passions, as well as identify opportunities for growth. Students who feel supported in keeping open minds ask, “What’s next?” and “Why not?” as they look to their futures. As a private middle school in Stamford, CT, King promotes this self-exploration and self-awareness, encouraging students to discover their academic, artistic, and athletic talents in ways that foster balance, growth, and overall wellness.
Learn more about Middle School: Grades 6-8
Together We Learn More
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“I’ve learned that anyone can make a difference, whether packing a lunch for someone, helping kids with homework, or running a 5K in support of other children.”
— Finleigh B., Middle School student
“I had to give a speech when I ran for student council. Having that extra confidence boost from being able to perform on stage was really helpful.”
— Gouri K., Middle School student
Meet our Community
Middle School in Action
Stephanie Hoos, English Faculty and Middle School Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator, supports her Grade 8 students in reflecting meaningfully on their own and others' beliefs. Ms. Hoos describes her objective as "supporting curiosity in students and engaging with deeper questions through the overarching concepts of windows and mirrors. Windows give us a point of view into another person's space, perceptions, world views, thoughts, and feelings. Mirrors give us greater insight into ourselves and ask us to think critically about our own beliefs and behaviors."
Grade 6 students in Lifeskills, guided by School Counselor Jen Guevara, analyze and consider a broad range of topics, including choices and decision making, how to be an ally for social justice, and healthy vs. unhealthy relationships. Mrs. Guevara believes the experiences her students gain in Lifeskills will enable them to "respect differing points of views and realize that they have a voice in world issues such as social justice, and that they can start to make a difference now as pre-teens."
Nick DeFelice, Acting Chair of the Science Department, is enthusiastically collaborating with Science faculty across the school to build upon the student experience. The objective, as Mr. DeFelice describes it, is to "teach students to think and work like scientists, as they engage in expanded opportunities for hands on work that is designed to allow students to ask questions, form hypotheses, design experiments, analyze data, form conclusions, and communicate findings as a way to learn the content and to demonstrate their understanding." King teachers are coaches, guiding students in their investigations and journey in learning about certain topics of the natural world.
Middle and Upper School's talented artists are collaborating this Fall to perform Bridges, a collection of powerful Readings centered on communication, connection, and identity. These themes are highly relevant to adolescents and young adults and certainly resonate during this pandemic as we all try to understand how meaningfully to communicate and connect.
Grade 8 King students are "contributing citizens of the world" in the eyes of Ken Lewis, History Faculty and Grade 8 Team Leader. Mr. Lewis is impressed by how his students are "willing to share thoughtful perspectives on current issues and provide powerful evidence for that opinion, while also listening to and respecting the perspectives of classmates."
Anna Lubowitz, English Faculty, describes her objectives for King Grade 7 students as, "I want students to improve their ability to be critical readers and thinkers and to appreciate that everyone has a different experience of what it means to 'come of age in America,' which is our theme for Grade 7 English."
Listen to PA King Inclusion and Diversity speaker Dena Simmons on Tuesday October 6, 7:00-8:30 p.m. p.m. to hear her presentation on "From Surviving to Thriving: Creating Equitable Environments Through Emotional Intelligence and Culturally Relevant Practices."
Congratulations to Alexandra Gusinski, who won the Constituting America National Award for her public service announcement on the First Amendment. Watch Alexandra's powerful PSA and read about her diverse interests.
Over the last few months, King worked hard to make sure campus would be safe for students and staffulty to return. We're so happy to have our community together on campus again. Watch a video and see photos from the first day.