Step Up to Middle School
Welcome to the Middle School! We're thrilled to have your student join us next year.
Our program is designed to embrace middle schoolers' unique developmental needs — we even built a new building with input from the students. The curriculum is complemented by a broad range of extracurricular and social activities that encourage collaboration, leadership, service, and self-expression. We'll prepare your student for the Upper School, college, and beyond.
From navigating course selection to understanding overall logistics, this page is your one-stop resource for everything Middle School. Our faculty and staff will help you and your student make this transition seamless!
STEP UP EVENTS: CLASS OF 2031
Here are the events and dates you'll want to keep in mind as the parent of an 6th grade student. Check the newsletter for registration links and more information!
Student Tours
Tuesday, April 1
6th graders will tour the Peterson Middle School during school hours. Parents who wish to visit the Middle School may contact Director of the Middle School Brian Lamont to arrange a day and time.
Course Selection
Monday, April 7
Mr. Lamont will send complete information about course selection, including the Middle School Program Guide and placement recommendations for English and math.
Rising 7th Grade Parent Orientation
Wednesday, April 9, 8:15-9:00 a.m.
Rising 7th & 8th Grade Course Selection Info Session
Wednesday, April 9, 9:00-9:45 a.m.
Mr. Lamont will host these two events for parents.
Student Session
Thursday, April 10
Mr. Lamont and some current 7th graders will meet with the entire 6th grade to discuss course selection and the transition to Middle School.
CHANGES: WHAT TO EXPECT
Students Change Classes
In Lower School, students might have switched classes for math or science. Now they'll be changing classes every time the bell rings. Don't worry — Director of the Middle School Brian Lamont says it only takes him about 60 seconds to walk from one end of the building to the other, and the students have five minutes!
Advisory Program Begins
Our Advisory Program fosters a sense of belonging and personal development for each student while building a community within the advisory group. This is an extension of the Lower School's Morning Meeting. There are 10-13 students per advisory. We aim to create a mix of students, both new and returning, to balance the class. Your child will connect with new friends while seeing some familiar faces!
More Academic Options
Students have more language choices (French, Latin, or Spanish) and elective options such as A/V Production, Creative Writing, Makers, Robotics, and Theater.
Athletics: Part of the Daily Schedule
Instead of twice-a-week P.E. classes, students will take part in team sports most days of the week. They play one sport per season (three seasons per school year). From track and field to basketball, there are many athletics options for our middle school students.
Food: Hot Lunch, Snacks
Middle School students have the opportunity to eat a buffet-style lunch every day. They also have a mid-morning break where they can buy healthy snacks.
Dress Expectations
Our dress code relaxes a bit once students hit 7th grade. See our Middle School Dress Expectations for more information.
FAQS
Nope! You are already a Husky!
Our target enrollment for the 7th grade is 100, which is comprised of 50% new students. There will be many opportunities to expand students’ existing social circles. Almost all our 6th graders stay for middle school, so your student can catch up with current friends and make new ones!
Similar to the Upper School, the Middle School daily schedule operates on a six-day rotating cycle where each class meets four times for 55 minutes within one rotation. A typical student load is seven classes and advisory. During mid-morning break from 10:20-10:45 a.m., students are able to purchase snacks and socialize with peers. Twice per cycle, students head to Advisory Study Hall (ASH) for structured study time for students, as well as an opportunity to meet with teachers for extra help. On B Day afternoons, 7th graders have wellness and study skills programming in their advisory rooms, and 8th graders work on their Capstone Presentations. Every other day, students finish with athletics.
It's not called "recess," but yes! When we designed the new building back in 2019, middle school students requested a playground area, and Flint Hill delivered. Every day, there is a mid-morning break from 10:20 to 10:45 a.m., where students can play, socialize, and enjoy the outdoors. There are other opportunities during the week for unstructured breaks, as well as time for them to study and work on homework.
Moderate amounts of homework at this level help students reinforce classroom learning, develop study skills, and learn to manage short- and long-term assignments in multiple classes. Students will usually spend 1-2 hours per night on homework.
Our ultimate goal is that students graduating from our middle school will be able to manage their homework on their own, develop a routine, understand how they work best, and recognize when/how to engage their teachers for support.
The Middle School Dress Expectations go over this in detail.
Yes, the Middle School lunch is provided by Fairfax Food Service and includes wide-ranging dietary options.
Yes! For 7th and 8th grade students, getting up and moving their bodies is crucial to their mental and physical development. Athletics are part of the academic program. We offer multiple levels of middle school teams, and all students get time on the field (or court, or track). You'll learn more about athletic options once course selection starts in April.
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
A VAIS committee completed its 10-Year Accreditation Visit in April 2024. The committee reported its immediate findings in this short presentation to faculty and staff.
Middle school lays the foundation for the social-emotional and organizational skills your child will need for college success, and that doesn’t come from test prep and textbooks.
As a middle school parent, your role is not to be completely hands-off and let them fend for themselves in every way, nor is it to do work for them to prevent anxiety and “ensure” a good grade.
To parents navigating these crazy middle school years, I hereby pass along five tips for how to achieve home-life balance.