Middle School Curriculum | King School

Middle School PROGRAMS

Academic Highlights

Middle School University (MSU)

MSU launches Grade 6 students into the school year by introducing essential skills and concepts for successful learning in middle school. The focus areas are materials management, effective communication, executive functioning skills, and risk-taking. The culmination of MSU features a "challenge day," where students apply their newfound skills in various team-building exercises.

R.E.A.D.Y. Projects

R.E.A.D.Y. is an acronym for Research, Experience, Action, Designed by You. The informative talks highlight King’s approach to education through inquiry and research. From the impact of genetics and ethnicity on health and the environmental effects of candles to the American football's aerodynamic design, Grade 8 students showcase a diverse range of interests through their semester-long projects.

Model UN Simulation

The Model UN simulation is a culminating project in our Grade 8 History course. Students apply their knowledge of 20th-century global connections and conflicts, along with their research, argumentation, and collaboration skills, to address global challenges. By representing nations in the UN, they explore different perspectives and understand the motivations of global powers.

Grade 7 Science Fair

Months of inquiry and discovery culminate with impressive student presentations at the Grade 7 Science Fair. The variety of work on display spans a range of student interests and including research in culinary arts, athletics, cellular biology, and more.

STEM Boat Challenge

This competition tests Grade 6 students’ understanding of density as they design floatable boats. The challenge culminates weeks of dedicated work, including density labs, homework, and classwork exploring volume, mass, and density measurements.

Middle School Math Team - K Squared

The club meets after school in the Upper School’s Academic Center and is open to all students interested in immersing themselves in math through games and fun challenges. The club is also open to students in Project Music, a King School community partner, is a Stamford-based initiative that helps the city’s youth gain essential life skill through an afterschool music program.

Co-Curricular Highlights

Performing Arts

Students in the Middle School continue to build their band, string, and choir skills as they develop an understanding of the language of music. They explore history and culture in music throughout their repertoire, which grows to include drama, theater, and instrumentals. The Middle School also performs one play and one play annually.

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Art and Design

In Middle School, students hone their skills and focus on personal expression. They develop abilities in various art forms while exploring their unique identity and artistic voice, gain confidence in their abilities, and find their artistic footing. In Grade 8, students can immerse themselves deeper in the arts by choosing to major in Visual Arts, Performing Arts, or both.

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Middle School Athletics

Our students participate in individual and team sports as well as health and wellness-related activities, to experience the lessons of teamwork and sportsmanship, and to develop fundamental skills and game strategies in an engaging and challenging atmosphere. All students participate in one offering per season.

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Clubs and Activities

Students are encouraged to participate in at least one activity outside of the classroom. There are over 10 club activities from which students may choose that provide them with opportunities for leadership, collaboration, and personal development. Many of our clubs have long associations with the school, while others reflect the interests of students who choose to form a new club.

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Community Highlights

Middle School Trips

King’s grade-level trips at the start of Middle School are a beloved tradition that fosters student camaraderie and sets a positive tone for the year. Each year can be a little different. In the past, students have experienced day trips and overnight trips that include visiting museums, team-building activities, outdoor games, sightseeing, and travel.

Founders' Cup

The Founders' Cup is a year-long, team-based competition celebrating academic, athletic, and personal achievements. Students are divided into four teams—King, Low, Heywood, and Thomas—building camaraderie through challenges like Capture the Flag, a Geography Bee, and acts of kindness. The year culminates in a Field Day relay and tug-of-war, with the winning team crowned at Prize Day. This exciting tradition fosters school spirit, leadership, and connection, making it a highlight of the Middle School experience.

Fellowship Fridays

Students from the Upper and Middle Schools meet to discuss topics of interest. Students discuss interests, answer questions about what it's like to be in King's Upper School, and more.

Middle School Families

To further establish connections between students in Middle School, the Middle School Families program pairs students into small groups comprised of a mix of students from Grades 6, 7, and 8. Family groups meet monthly and participate in different activities led by Grade 8 students, cultivating leadership skills and developing a deeper sense of responsibility and belonging.

Give-Back Tuesdays

Middle school students gather for Give-Back Tuesdays to work with community partners on various King Cares projects. The students select an area of interest and volunteer to help the King community with its philanthropic endeavors. Partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Stamford, Stamford Hospital, Project Music, and Baking Happiness Co. which was founded by four King siblings, and more.

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