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Middle School Field Trips

6th Grade Yosemite National Park Field Trip

During the first trimester, 6th grade students head to Yosemite for an adventure. Days will be filled with scenic hikes, hands-on learning, group reflections, and evening debriefs, all while camping together at Yosemite Lakes. 

7th Grade Catalina Island Field Trip

In the fall, 7th grade students head to Catalina Island for an unforgettable field trip with the Catalina Environmental Leadership Program (CELP). Through hands-on science and outdoor adventures, they’ll build teamwork, confidence, and a deeper connection to nature.

8th Grade East Coast Field Trip

Our annual East Coast Trip is more than just a travel experience—it’s a chance for our students to deepen their learning, strengthen friendships, and make lifelong memories as they near the end of middle school. Over the course of six days, students explore historic and culturally rich sites in both Washington, D.C., and New York City. From paying their respects at Arlington National Cemetery to discovering stories at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, to exploring Ellis Island and taking in a Broadway show, the trip is designed to be both meaningful and fun—an academic experience that truly comes to life.

6th-8th Grade Paris, France Field Trip

ACDS is taking its French program on the road—to Paris, France! This annual trip is designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-life application, allowing middle school students to use the French they've learned since elementary school in an immersive, authentic setting.

6th-8th Grade Puerto Rico Service Learning Trip

Middle School students are invited to participate in a transformative service trip to Plenitud PR, a nonprofit educational farm in Puerto Rico. This unique experience offers a hands-on learning adventure where students will engage in daily farm chores, permaculture workshops, and community service projects. The itinerary balances meaningful work with enriching activities like yoga, meditation, hiking in El Yunque National Forest, and a visit to a bioluminescent bay. Throughout the trip, students will gain a deeper understanding of sustainable living and community.

Two young women in lab coats and gloves are conducting scientific experiments

 

Middle School Core Subjects

The ACDS Middle School curriculum presents demanding academic core classes, balanced by a broad selection of high-interest elective courses.

The school day consists of six 55-minute periods with five core subjects — English language and literature, mathematics, social studies, science and physical education. Character education and service learning and leadership time is integrated into the weekly schedule for all Middle School students.

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Students playing xylophones

 

Middle School Electives

Exciting exploration, unique courses, and hands-on learning are hallmarks of the Middle School elective program.

Our Middle School students choose from an extensive selection of exciting and varied elective courses, representing the broad expertise of our faculty and the dynamic interests of the students themselves. Different electives are offered each year, including brand new options. Most electives run for one trimester, allowing students to explore a number of subject areas over the course of their three years in Middle School.

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