The Middle School got a facelift this week when students from the sixth grade, armed with colored masking tape and their imaginations, covered the windows of the middle school atrium with line art as part of a project for art class. The project was inspired by Darel Carey, a visual artist who uses lines to create optical illusions that shape and bend the dimensions of flat surfaces and space. His art includes painted murals, digital art, and tape installations. 

Learning the geography of the world can seem daunting, but Grade 6 found a dynamic approach to the process. In 20th Century Global Perspectives class, students created “life maps” on which they marked the places around the world that have contributed to their personal histories. 

Middle School students began this academic year the way they begin most years – meeting their advisors, receiving their locker assignments, getting to know their schedules, and making new friends. But it’s been almost two years since they have been able to go on their annual opening week field trips, an opportunity to bond outside of the classroom that has been deterred due to the pandemic  – until now. 

King School joyfully welcomed the new school year by ringing the bells, an annual tradition hosted outdoors on the Segalas Family Field this year, a first for the school. The newly returfed field provided a stunning outdoor backdrop for King’s first in-person, school-wide gathering since the COVID-19 pandemic began. 

Grade 8 students at King School role-played as delegates to a United Nations Committee and debated global issues with one another as part of a Model UN simulation in their History class. Under the guidance of Middle School faculty Kenneth Lewis, the activity marked the end of a yearlong study of American foreign policy and the role that the United States plays in the world today.

Middle School students celebrated their perseverance through an unprecedented school year at Middle School Prize Day and the Grade 8 Moving Up Ceremony. "Middle School is a time of growth and change, and neither is easy. To grow, you must stretch and contort and push yourself to new heights," said Head of Middle School Josh Deitch. "Never be afraid to follow your heart. All of us here are so proud of you. We are all behind you. Wherever you go, know that you have a home and a family here in the Middle School," he said.

Middle School students rehearsed for six weeks to prepare for an exciting three-day Broadway performance aptly named The Show Must Go On! Despite the many challenges that the students faced this year with social distancing measures still in place, these young performers were able to create a virtual experience to bring the musicals to life. The show featured a combination of live solo, duet and trio performances accompanied by prerecorded full-cast and small group acts.  

Grade 6 celebrated the 51st anniversary of Earth Day this year with an academic module titled, Restore our Earth. The curriculum included the history of Earth Day, which was first celebrated in 1970 in response to a massive oil spill off the coast of California. The students learned that the day has since been celebrated annually to raise awareness of environmental issues and to support environmental protections.

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.