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Designed to foster intellectual and personal growth, our Lower Mid program expands students’ learning horizons as they explore the wider world around them. Students draw connections across disciplines through robust cross-curricular collaborations. With an emphasis on effective communication, students begin to develop their voice and hone their skills as clear and confident speakers and writers.
View Curriculum GuideLanguage Arts
The Lower Mid language arts curriculum includes literature that helps students make important connections across disciplines, providing the material for rich class discussion. Relatable protagonists from around the globe move through the history that students learn in social studies. In response, students are encouraged to express their original ideas using clear, precise, and organized writing. An interdisciplinary speech presentation provides a memorable cap to each year, helping students become powerful communicators in many arenas. The ultimate goal of the program is to create a community of lifelong readers and writers.
Math
With an emphasis on critical thinking and mathematical reasoning, the Lower Mid mathematics program aims to give students a command of foundational mathematics so that they can approach novel problems with confidence. Topics covered include operations with whole numbers, fractions, and decimals; introduction to ratios and percents; measurement; data and statistics analysis; and geometry. Students work together and individually through hands-on projects to develop problem-solving strategies and communicate their mathematical ideas.
Social Studies
Lower Mid students develop a greater understanding of diverse cultures around the world and reflect upon their own relationship with and responsibility to the earth. Class III begins with a geographical world tour, while Class IV explores the founding of the United States from indigenous peoples’ history to the American colonies to early American government. Class V explores the role of geography, government, art, technology, religion and writing in the growth of early civilizations like Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and Rome.
Science
Through hands-on activities and interactive experiments, Lower Mid students deepen their scientific inquiry skills as they analyze data, test hypotheses, and draw conclusions. They explore topics that include: simple machines, biodiversity, the solar system, earth and geology, human body systems, heredity and genetics, and foundational concepts in chemistry and physics. Field trips and engineering design challenges extend and enhance students’ understanding of these concepts.
STEAM
In Lower Mid students see themselves as budding inventors, engineers, and entrepreneurs who practice formulating innovative solutions to real-world problems. They study simple machines, circuitry and electronics, engineering and robotics, and develop coding fluency using block-based programs like Scratch to create their own interactive animations, games, and art. Students also solve design challenges and bring these solutions to life with the help of digital fabrication tools. A highlight of their Class V year is The Lions’ Den, an entrepreneurship forum in which students create, pitch, and market their innovative products.
World Language
Spanish in Lower Mid extends learning in all four language skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening. Each unit covers the vocabulary for specific topics such as hobbies, favorite activities and locations, and likes and dislikes. Students grow increasingly comfortable expressing themselves as they expand their understanding of grammar. The richness and diversity of Hispanic cultures come alive through the biographies of important figures and connections to cultural celebrations and traditions.
Art & Music
All Lower Mid studio art classes are held in the Carroll Classroom at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. In these classes, students explore various art materials, processes and concepts including printmaking, sculpture, portraiture, painting and drawing. An art history teacher accompanies the class through gallery visits, asking provocative questions and inspiring students to think deeply about what they are seeing. As students learn about Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome throughout these years, the museum’s vast collections bring this learning to life. In Music class, students learn to sing in two-part harmony and music theory concepts are reinforced. Music is a vital force in the School that enriches all parts of school life.
Dance & Fitness
Lower Mid students foster a love for physical activity, practicing sports like basketball, soccer, and volleyball, and exploring ballet, jazz, and salsa dancing. The physical education program is designed to get students moving so that they build skills, confidence, and strength. Beginning in Class IV, students are encouraged to participate in after-school intramurals, where they further hone their skills; intra-school competition begins in Class V.
Religion & Community
In Lower Mid, a highlight of the Monday Morning Meeting is the presentation of Lion Pride awards, given for loyalty, inclusivity, optimism, neighborliness, peacefulness, respect, integrity, dependability, and enthusiasm. These values are highlighted in the study of Catholic beliefs and practices in religion classes, where students learn about scripture, church tradition, the lives of saints, and other role models of faith. All students, regardless of their faith background, are encouraged to become active practitioners of their beliefs, traditions, and values in everyday life.
