Academics

Middle School

Middle School Director Cecilia Escobar describes the features that make our Middle School program unique.

Dear Friends,

The Middle School years at Oakcrest are filled with wonder and joy, allowing the girls freedom to explore, use their imaginations, and grow in curiosity. As they put down roots, they learn about authentic friendship, freedom, and responsibility. Our pedagogy is age-appropriate, respects our students’ development, and is reflected in our liberal arts curriculum. Specifically, in 6th grade, students learn the art of observation, categorization, and memorization and in 7th and 8th grades, students learn to think clearly and well. They experience everything from hands-on lessons in Science, memorized recitations in English, and analysis of events in History. They are taught to appreciate God’s work throughout the world, making connections between the different disciplines and understanding the integration of knowledge. Entering Oakcrest in Middle School prepares students well for the Upper School years by laying the foundation of the skills necessary to succeed and advance.

Oakcrest values our partnership with parents, as we believe parents are the primary educators of their children. In that spirit, we understand students need a strong and healthy connection between family and school. We value good communication with parents, encourage parental involvement, and consider them vital partners to the education of their children.

Sincerely,

Cecilia Escobar
Middle School Director

Grade Level Experiences

Grade 6: An Acorn Setting Down Deep Roots

“Do not train a child to learn by force or harshness; but direct them to it by what amuses their minds, so that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each.”
—Plato

Virtues: Order, generosity of heart, attitude of wonder
Theme: Getting to know our new home
Grade Level Experiences: 6th Grade Club is a weekly lunch club spearheaded by the Deans during which the newest members of our community learn "what it means to be an Oakie." This club helps integrate them into our school culture all while helping them build friendships along the way. The newest "acorns" will also work on an Oakcrest Field Guide, an interdisciplinary, year-long exploration of our beautiful campus. This project is meant to bring the classroom outside, inspiring play, wonder, and an appreciation of the natural beauty that surrounds us.

Grade 7: A Friend for Others

“A friend is another self.” —Aristotle

Virtues: Friendship, kindness, perseverance
Theme: Friendship
Grade Level Experiences: 7th Grade Lunch is a bi-weekly lunch run spearheaded by the Deans. A natural progression from the 6th Grade Club, this year's focus is growing friendships through service to others. The students will continue to learn and foster Oakcrest's person-centered environment.

The 7^th graders will also work on a Medieval Portfolio, an interdisciplinary year-long exploration of the medieval world. Students will create a portfolio across the curriculum which demonstrates a deep and integrated knowledge of the medieval world, from which so much of our Western culture derives.

Grade 8: A Champion of Freedom and Responsibility

“There is no truth more thoroughly established than that there exists in the course of Nature, an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness.”

—George Washington

Virtues: Reflection, loyalty, justice
Theme: Branching Out

Grade Level Experiences: A well-loved tradition at Oakcrest, the Most Courageous American Tournament will remain a hallmark of the 8th grade year. This year-long competition explores the lives of Americans who exhibited courage in a wide variety of situations. It culminates in a final showdown where the entire school casts a vote to decide the year's most courageous American. The true lessons are learned along the way, however, giving the students many examples to draw upon for inspiration when they are faced with difficult situations.

The entire class will embark on a grand adventure – the Old Rag Hike and Bonfire – towards the end of the year. After ascending this beloved local hiking destination, the students will finish the evening with dinner and a bonfire under the stars.

Director of Middle School Cecilia Escobar talks about our Middle School Grade Level Experiences—what they are and how they enrich the lives of our students.

Why start at Oakcrest in Middle School? Elena Kilner, Oakcrest alumna and mother of a Middle School Oakie, explains the many benefits of joining Oakcrest in the formative Middle School years.