Middle School

The annual Grade 8 cultural exchange program between King School and the Greenwich Japanese School (GJS) continues to build connections and global understanding. Following King students' visit to GJS in December, this year’s program concluded on Thursday, January 9, with King students welcoming their GJS peers for a full day of events and activities. The exchange provides real-world insights into global citizenship, leaving students and educators inspired by the connections forged across cultural boundaries.

This year’s first-semester R.E.A.D.Y. Projects highlighted the diverse interests of Grade 8 students, featuring topics ranging from ancient architecture, the unique theremin instrument, curly hairstyles throughout history, and more. Led by Computer Science and Digital Applications teacher Sue Laramie, the initiative encourages students to delve deeply into research and refine their project creation skills in two distinct phases. Students presented their findings to family and friends on December 6, showcasing creative outputs, including podcasts, models, and crafted products, and their commitment to thoughtful inquiry and craftsmanship.

Prior to Thanksgiving break, Grade 7 students shared compelling personal narratives with parents and peers as the culmination of an intensive eight-week storytelling project inspired by NPR’s “The Moth Radio Hour.” Guided by English teacher Jordan Rochelson, students explored small but meaningful moments from their lives, drawing connections to their study of the novel “The House on Mango Street” by Mexican-American author Sandra Cisneros. Through a rigorous process of brainstorming, drafting, revising, and receiving feedback from peers and Rochelson, students transformed initial ideas into richly detailed stories. The final event offered not only a platform to showcase their work but also an opportunity to practice public speaking and build connections within the King community, highlighting the power of storytelling to foster empathy and self-expression.

The inaugural Founders' Cup is testing the competitive edge of middle school students, who are leveraging academic achievement, creativity, and teamwork to earn the coveted trophy. Designed to inspire academic excellence, creativity, teamwork, and community spirit, the Founders' Cup brings students together in a division-wide competition that honors the school’s history while building connections across grades.

Middle school students launched the 2024-25 season with “Broadway Lights!,” an energetic showcase celebrating the best of American musical theater. Instead of following a single storyline, the revue-style production featured a variety of musical numbers, monologues, and scenes spanning decades of Broadway hits. The format allowed students to explore their unique interests in singing, acting, and dancing while managing flexible rehearsals around their busy schedules. Guided by directors Eleanor Bach and Amy Darnton, students gained new insights into character portrayal and performance as they worked through the challenges of crafting standalone pieces into a cohesive show, ultimately fostering creativity, collaboration, and confidence on stage.

This fall, lower and middle school students deepened their understanding of civic responsibilities through lessons on government and U.S. history, coinciding with the upcoming presidential election. Grade 1 learned about their rights and responsibilities, engaging with local leaders like Mayor Caroline Simmons. Grade 3 explored the executive branch and debated voting rights for children, while middle school students tackled current political issues, researching candidates and creating public service announcements. These activities emphasize the importance of informed citizenship and respectful dialogue, equipping students with critical thinking and communication skills vital for participation in a democratic society.

King School’s Middle School Chamber Orchestra and Beginning Strings stepped into the spotlight for the first time this year with “informances,” informal performances designed to educate the audience about the creative process behind the music. 

Held on Thursday, October 17, and Friday, October 18, these open rehearsals offered a behind-the-scenes look at the rehearsal process, with music teacher Colin Benn guiding the audience through how the students develop and refine their pieces. Students in Grade 6 through Grade 8 showcased their progress after weeks of dedicated practice, setting the stage for the upcoming Winter Concert.

At King, students in middle school Spanish classes are diving into language learning with a focus on cultural understanding and social issues. In Spanish 2, they began the year by exploring how languages shape identity and connections through the "World Languages in My World" project, conducting research and presenting their findings. Spanish 3 students investigated influential leaders, learning how these figures inspire action in Spanish-speaking communities. Through these projects, students enhance their language skills while developing empathy and a deeper awareness of global issues, preparing them to be informed, compassionate global citizens.

The annual Grade 7 and Grade 8 bonding trips are action-packed adventures that foster connections with peers and teachers and energize the community for the year ahead. This year, Grade 7 embarked on an outdoor journey to Camp Jewell, tackling challenges like rock climbing and team-building activities that pushed their problem-solving and collaboration skills to the limit. Meanwhile, Grade 8 students dove into history in Philadelphia, exploring iconic sites like the National Constitution Center and the Museum of the American Revolution, adding an educational twist to their bonding experience. Both trips set the stage for a year of growth, friendship, and adventure, sparking energy and enthusiasm for what's to come.