Act Differently
Discover More
about Act Differently
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 our Private Stamford Middle School: Grades 6-8
Together We Learn More
Discover More
about Together We Learn More
“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
Grade 8 students at King School are determined to prepare for Upper School next year. Due to social distancing guidelines, the school pivoted from its annual Shadow Day activities where middle school students are paired with upper school students to experience a day-in-the-life of the Upper School. Alternatively, middle school and upper school staff teamed up to coordinate a visit for upper school students to speak with middle school advisories about the moving up experience.
As part of the STEM Boat Competition, Grade 6 students carefully eased their boats into a container of water to see if their work would sink or float. Students were challenged to design and engineer a boat that is less dense than water at room temperature to ensure that it is buoyant. They aimed to keep their cost and materials low because the boat with the lowest density wins!
King hosted its sixth annual El Sistema Residency, in which talented musicians from King's Middle and Upper Schools collaborated in intensive music workshops with visiting students of various El Sistema USA programs, including Stamford's own Project Music.
The residency's overarching focus is to inspire a deeper connection between communities of different socioeconomic backgrounds by using music as a vehicle to give voice to diverse cultural identities and amplify lived experiences.
In celebration of Women's History Month, middle school advisories organized an appreciation for women by acknowledging the wonderful contributions made by women at King School. The advisors identified a woman at King, referred to as a celebrant, that they would like to get to know better and prepared questions for an interview with her. Information about the celebrant is then featured on a dedicated bulletin board.
Middle School students applied their creativity and resilience to maintain focus and learn in innovative ways during these unprecedented times. After almost a year of living in a "new normal," students from grades 6, 7, and 8 share their wisdom. "Be as respectful and kind as possible during times like these because we never know how deeply someone is hurting," said Siena Gambino '27.
"I think it is really interesting that we are learning about different people who were heroes before, during, and after the civil rights movement," states Middle School Co-President Anya Anderson '25. "We are trying to learn more about people who may not have been better known so that we can show greater respect for them," she adds.
Grade 6 student Alicia Leng and grade 8 student Olivia Asnes love to sing, but they also enjoy that choir includes non-singing activities. We also "learn how to read notes, find out if you are singing the correct pitch, and learn how music can impact the world," says Olivia.
A group of dedicated Upper School students joined Middle School students during their morning advisory time to share the civil rights activity created by the Upper School's human rights cohort.
Paddle tennis, basketball, field hockey, soccer, beach volleyball, creative movement, and more! Grade 7 student Jackson Dooley feels "the differentiation has been the best. There are so many sessions, that our choices and variety allow us to try new things and to still be with our classmates. It's great to still have Athletics during such difficult times."