Middle School

Group of children wearing safety goggles observing a beaker of water containing small objects in a science classroom.
Copper measuring spoons hanging on a string, black paper with white geometric designs, and a wooden sign with the word 'Grape' on a beige wall.
Children playing violins in a music class indoors with music stands and a window in the background.
A group of students and a teacher, gather around a table in a classroom, observing a large glass beaker with water and a small object inside, which is placed on a black mat, as they wear safety goggles.
Students sitting at a desk, writing in notebooks with pencils in a classroom.
A student with short dark hair wearing a red shirt is drawing on a piece of white paper using a compass at a wooden table. A yellow pencil is tucked behind their ear, and they are seated in a class room.
White chalk sketches on black paper of a hand holding a flower, a candle, and a boat, hung on a wire with clips.
A teacher with a long, wooden protractor graphing equations on a chalkboard.
An instructor and two students working together on woodworking projects at a large workshop table, with tools and wood pieces visible.
A teacher with glasses and a beanie demonstrates woodworking technique to a high school student in a workshop. The man is carving or chiseling a piece of wood, while the boy watches attentively.

A Bridge to Adulthood—
Built with Purpose

The middle school years (Grades 6–8) are a time of profound growth. Students begin to question, challenge, and wonder in new ways—emotionally, intellectually, and socially. At Waldorf School of the Peninsula, we meet this transformation with challenge, structure, and deep human care.

This is not middle school as survival.

It’s school as a path toward becoming.

A classroom with children sitting at desks, raising their hands during a lesson.

Whole-Human Academics

Our middle school curriculum is designed to stretch students while supporting their sense of identity and purpose. Core subjects are taught in multi-week main lesson blocks, allowing for immersive exploration across disciplines.

Over these three years, students delve into:

  • History: Ancient civilizations, revolutions, U.S. history, and human rights

  • Science: Physics, geology, acoustics, chemistry, anatomy, and aerodynamics

  • Math: Geometry, pre-algebra, business math, and Algebra I

  • Language Arts: Literary analysis, creative and persuasive writing, research papers

  • Geography and Economics: World systems, environmental studies, and ethical decision-making

Students create beautiful, illustrated main lesson books that demonstrate understanding through writing, drawing, and synthesis.

Children and an adult in a woodworking class or workshop, holding tools and practicing woodworking skills in a classroom setting.

From Concrete to Conceptual

Middle school marks the shift from imagination-rich learning to critical thinking and abstraction. At WSP, this transition is carefully paced and thoughtfully supported.

  • Grade 6 – students explore mineralogy, Roman history, and business math—subjects grounded in law, order, and structure.

  • Grade 7 – themes include Renaissance and exploration, acoustics and mechanics, and the beginnings of algebraic thinking—mirroring the students’ own quest for identity and discovery.

  • Grade 8 – the curriculum expands into organic chemistry, modern history, and economic geography—helping students see their place in the larger world.

Throughout, academic challenge is balanced with artistry, collaboration, and reflection.

A boy with dark hair wearing a blue jacket giving a presentation in front of a blackboard. The blackboard has a large poster about Greece, featuring images of Greek landmarks, cultural items, and handwritten notes.

Math and Science with Purpose

Our STEM approach is hands-on, integrative, and deeply human:

  • Science is taught through lab work, field observation, and real-world application. In one block, students might explore hydraulics through building models. In another, they decode nutrition labels and make soap while learning organic chemistry.

  • Math is practical and conceptual. Students explore geometry through Platonic solids, apply percentages to personal budgeting, and move from pre-algebra into full Algebra I.

Across all levels, we prioritize understanding over memorization, and ethical inquiry over rote learning.

Mathematical graph and geometric shapes drawn on a school blackboard, including a 3D cube, polygons, and coordinate points with different colored lines and labels.

Leadership and Launching

The final year includes several milestones that mark the transition to high school:

  • A class play (The Frogs, performed publicly)

  • A 10-day river expedition and cultural service trip

  • A Capstone Project that blends research, craftsmanship, and social contribution

  • Graduation speeches, mentorship, and alumni panels

  • Shadow visits and application support for high school

Students graduate from WSP middle school grounded, capable, and ready for their next chapter.

“These years could have been rocky, but WSP made them extraordinary. My child is leaving 8th grade with confidence, academic strength, and a clear sense of who they are.”

- WSP Parent