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. Each student chooses two different elective courses per trimester. Electives are two periods 3 times per week.

Character education and service learning and leadership time is integrated into the weekly schedule for all Middle School students.

English

At the ACDS middle school, reading and writing is taught through a workshop model that allows students to engage with and create a variety of texts that allow for choice, independence, and challenge.

The ACDS Middle School English curriculum integrates reading and writing skills, such as analyzing, synthesizing, and reflecting, that can be applied to any text, from classic to contemporary. Our students learn to read and think critically by engaging in different genres and writing styles, participating in structured discussions, and creating a variety of final products designed to help students create connections to their own lives and communities. The philosophy of our workshop model helps students to develop a passion for literature because the texts they read matter to them and trust that they can approach reading and writing with energy and precision.

Middle School English Courses

6th Grade English

Reading workshops designed to encourage deep thinking
Genres of text vary and include memoir, short stories, fiction, and non-fiction
Focused study of poetry through the lens of The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
Club books chosen to connect with current social issues. These include: Return to Sender by Julia Alvarez, The Other Boy by M. G. Hennessey, Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper, and From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks
Writing workshops designed for developing clear communication across genres from personal narrative to research projects
Study of vocabulary ranging from text-specific to poetic elements
Emphasis on collaborative learning through literature circles, book clubs, and peer feedback

7th Grade English

A book list based on the Teachers College Reading & Writing Project curriculum. These texts include (but are not limited to) options to read Booked by Kwame Alexander, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne, 47 by Walter Mosley, Ball Don’t Lie by Matt de la Peña, Everything Else in the Universe by Tracy Holczer, and/or Chew On This by Eric Schlosser & Charles Wilson
A study of reading and writing through independent and collaborative work
Independent time for students to focus on their personal reading and writing objectives
Individualized attention during one-on-one and small group conferences to address students’ areas for growth in their reading and writing
Work products of both interactive and collaborative and individual and independent varieties
Socratic seminars with high standards for analysis, reasoning, and listening
Choice in reading and writing to foster engagement and enthusiasm

8th Grade English

Readers and writers workshop model that is interactive, responsive and engaging with the aim to prepare students for any reading and writing task they will face in the future and to make them life-long, confident readers and writers
Genres include literary analysis, persuasive writing, fiction, and poetry; various online programs used to reinforce grammar and vocabulary development
Skills are modeled with mentor texts such as Pride: A Pride and Prejudice Remix, Hidden Figures, and The Last Cuentista. Students then pick from a large selection of books in those genres that connect to them; this leads to a deeper reading and analysis of books that are meaningful to their lives
Analyzing symbolism, deepening character analysis, understanding story arcs, reading critically with questions in mind

Mathematics

At ACDS, we believe that all of our students are capable mathematicians, and that math is fun! Using problem based learning and collaboration, we explore math in context of real world situations through the College Preparatory Mathematics (CPM) curriculum. We want our students to become problem solvers, questioners, critical thinkers, team players, and communicators.

Our Middle School Math program is based on the core philosophy that every student can learn math and every student needs something different. We strive to create a variety of opportunities for our students that challenge them, while also encouraging students to take risks and make mistakes.

To meet our students where they are, we have smaller class sizes, multiple course offerings, drop in support sessions during the school day, math centric electives (support and extension), and after school math club.

Middle School Math Pathways

ACDS provides an engaging and rigorous middle school math experience for all our students, without pushing them into levels of math for which they might not be developmentally ready.

ACDS offers students the following middle school math pathways:

Grade Level Pathway: "College Preparatory Math" Core Connections Courses 1, 2 and 3
Compacted Pathway: "College Preparatory Math" Core Connections Courses 1, 2a, 2b, 3, and Algebra 1
Compacted to Accelerated Pathway: "College Preparatory Math" Core Connections Courses 1, 2a, 2b, 3, Algebra 1a, Algebra 1b, and Geometry

Please see the following graphic for the course descriptions (click on image to enlarge and download):

Middle School Math Courses

Core Connections Course 1 (CC1)

Collect, organize, display, and analyze data in multiple ways
Represent data sets and compare quantities using manipulatives, diagrams, and number expressions
Make sense of multiple representations of portions (decimal, fraction, percent) and convert from one form to the other
Use models and standard algorithms for computations with fractions and decimals to solve percent problems including those with discounts, interest, and tips
Simplify and evaluate variable expressions by combining like terms and using the Distributive Property
Solve simple equations and inequalities
Solve distance, rate, and time problems
Compute area, surface area, and volume of rectangular solids
Represent solids using nets

Core Connections Course 2 (CC2)

Use integers and complete operations with integers and rational numbers, including using the Order of Operations
Use variable expressions to represent quantities in contextual problems
Simplify variable expressions by combining like terms and using the Distributive Property
Solve linear equations, including those with fractional coefficients and those with no solutions or infinitely many solutions.
Solve and graph one-variable inequalities
Compare experimental and theoretical probabilities
Distinguish between dependent and independent events and calculate the probability of compound independent events
Represent probabilities of multiple events using systemic lists, area models, or tree diagrams
Design, conduct, and analyze surveys to collect and compare data and describe the distribution of sets of data
Recognize and use the properties of similar figures and scale factors to solve problems
Describe angles, angle pairs, and their measures
Compute area, perimeter, volume, and surface area of 2D and 3D shapes

Core Connections Course 3 (CC3)

Various representations a linear function
Solve equations
Geometric transformations on a coordinate grid
Scatterplots and associations
Analyze slope
Proportional relationships
Use the properties of similar figures to solve problems
The Pythagorean Theorem
Positive and negative exponents
Operations with numbers in scientific notation
Angles created by parallel lines with transversals
Triangle Angle Sum Theorem
Volume of a variety of solids

Core Connections Algebra

Linear, quadratic, and exponential relationships
Factoring and multiplying polynomials
Solving equations and inequalities
Solving systems of two equations and inequalities
Representations of arithmetic and geometric sequences.
Investigation of a variety of functions including square root, cube root, absolute value, piecewise-defined, step, and simple inverse functions
Statistical analysis of two-variable data, including determining regression lines, correlation coefficients, and creating residual plots
Comparison of distributions of one-variable data

Core Connections Geometry

Geometric transformations (reflection, rotation, translation, dilation) and symmetry
Relationships between figures (such as similarity and congruence) in terms of rigid motions and similarity transformations
Properties of plane figures
Proofs of geometric theorems (investigating patterns to make conjectures, and formally proving them)
Using coordinates to prove geometric theorems
Modeling with geometry
Measurements of plane figures (such as area, perimeter, and angle measure)
Theorems about circles, including arc lengths and areas of sectors.
Measurements of three-dimensional solids (such as volume and surface area)
Tools for analyzing and measuring right triangles, general triangles, and complex shapes (such as the Pythagorean Theorem, trigonometric ratios, and the Laws of Sines and Cosines)
Geometric constructions (with compass and straightedge)
Using algebra to formulate and solve equations arising from geometric situations
Probability (independence and conditional probability, compound events, expected value, and permutations and combinations)

Physical Education

The Middle School Physical Education program expands on competencies learned in Early Childhood and Elementary Physical Education to include “Fitness for Life” studies and team sports. Middle School students participate in physical education three times a week with emphasis on an activity-based model for our middle school students.

The program’s goal is providing exposure to a variety of athletic activities and basic nutrition, with an emphasis on effort rather than skill — all while instilling a joy of movement, having fun cooperatively, learning sportsmanship, and achieving improved physical fitness.

Middle school students also have an opportunity to take sport-related electives, including basketball. In basketball, students of all skill levels work on the fundamentals of the game including shooting, dribbling, passing and defensive skills.

6th - 8th Grade Physical Education

All students at our school participate in physical education every week. We provide developmentally specific instruction for students in our Early Childhood, Elementary, and Middle School, with emphasis on foundational activities and skill building for the younger students, and an activity-based model for our upper elementary and middle school students.

The Middle School program further expands on competencies learned in Early Childhood and Elementary to include “Fitness for Life” studies and team sports. Middle School students participate in physical education four times a week.

The program’s goal is providing exposure to a variety of athletic activities and basic nutrition, with an emphasis on effort rather than skill — all while instilling a joy of movement, having fun cooperatively, learning sportsmanship, and achieving improved physical fitness.

Middle school students also have an opportunity to take sport-related electives, including basketball. In basketball, students of all skill levels work on the fundamentals of the game including shooting, dribbling, passing and defensive skills.

Science

Middle School Science is a hands-on, STEM lab based class. The students have on average one lab a week that extends the content that they are learning in class.

At ACDS, we believe children learn science best by hands-on experimental activities. Our Middle School science curriculum integrates science, technology, engineering and math – STEM – in a blend of lab activities and demonstrations, digital simulations, and small group projects, in addition to traditional lecture and textbook study.

Middle School science at ACDS presents a rigorous introduction to scientific thinking, chemistry, biology, physics, engineering, design, genetics and earth science. The students are given challenge problems and activities that allow them to connect the content they are learning in class with a real problem. For example, 8th grade students are asked to help bring a sick alien’s blood back to neutral by using what they have learned about acids and bases.

Our students learn to think like scientists. They develop a passion for scientific rigor that leads them to pursue and excel in their coursework through high school and beyond.

Middle School Science Courses

6th Grade Science

Focus on scientific method and lab skills, earth science and weather and climate.
Weekly STEM-based science labs in a dedicated Middle School laboratory
Annual 6th grade Design Fair, which involves students answering real life engineering problems by working in a group to create a design to solve the problem
Use of "CPO Science Middle School Earth Science" textbook as the main resource

What happens in our 6th Grade Science Lab:

Intro to Microscope Lab: Students learn how to use the microscope to see everyday objects
Straw Glider Inquiry Lab: Students create straw gliders to see which designs help their planes go the farthest
Find Your Cookie Lab: Students measure their cookies using a variety of metric measurements to find their cookie out of a group of almost identical looking cookies
Edible Plate Tectonics: Using Milky Ways (continental) and Hershey's (oceanic) to represent converging plate boundaries
Make a Boat Lab: Students design and create a boat out of recycled materials and see how much weight in pennies their boat can hold
Heating Earth's Surface: Students use temperature probes connected to the computer to determine which type of rock absorbs the most heat

7th Grade Science

Focus on biological and life sciences, including cells, genetics, the systems of the human body and animals
Weekly STEM-based science labs in a dedicated Middle School laboratory, including dissection of frogs, squid, earthworms and owl pellets; dissection of chicken wings to see how muscle is attached to bone; and the creation of edible cell models
"CPO Science Middle School Life Science" textbook as the main resource

What happens in our 7th Grade Science Lab:

Discovery Cell Lab: Students create slides with red onions to study a plant cell
Looking at the Stomata of a Leaf: Students use nail polish to get an imprint of the stomata on a leaf, and then discover the structure by looking at the slides under the microscope
Face Lab: Students use their understanding of genetics to mix the physical traits of two celebrities to make a potential celebrity baby.
Natural Selection Lab: Students simulate how different factors like environment as well as access to food and fitness can contribute to the growth of a population by natural selection
Ernie’s Exit: Students test “blood” to determine blood types
Dissections: Students dissect earthworms, squid, frogs and owl pellets

8th Grade Science

Focus on physics and chemistry
Weekly STEM-based science labs in a dedicated Middle School laboratory
Annual “How Fast and How Far Will It Go” project where students engineer cars out of recycled materials and then test the speed, acceleration, force and momentum of their cars
Use of "CPO Science Middle School Physical Science" textbook as the main resource

What happens in our 8th Grade Science Lab:

Physical and Chemical Changes Lab: Students use sugar cubes to discover the differences between physical and chemical changes
Making Water Rockets Lab: Students use water rockets to see the relationship between gas and pressure
Building Compounds Lab: Students use molecular model kits to make different compounds, including water and propane
Kool Aid Concentration Lab: Students learn to calculate molar mass to make different concentrations of Kool Aid
Help Me! Lab: Students create a medicine for a sick alien to bring its blood back to neutral
Recycled Car lab: Students create cars out of recycled materials to test the cars’ distance, speed, acceleration, force, etc. when rolling down ramps of different angles

Social Studies

Middle school students care about fairness, justice, identity, status. Our social studies program helps them examine their own place and potential in the world by inviting them to explore ancient civilizations, cross-cultural interactions, democratic governance, and social movements in interactive lessons that honor students’ own perspectives and insights.

The three-year social studies program uses history and other humanities fields as a vehicle to help students practice organizing information, supporting assertions, collaborating with others, and evaluating competing ideas. Whenever possible, students craft proposals and make decisions together in carefully designed simulations that deepen their appreciation of the complex nature of diverse societies. Students first study the world through a variety of lenses and eras, preparing them to approach U.S. history in eighth grade with cultural humility and a global outlook. Along the way, they learn to confront dilemmas as philosophers, economists, legislators, city planners, military strategists, anthropologists, judges, and other types of real-world practitioners.

Middle School Social Studies Courses

6th Grade Social Studies

An in-depth study of ancient civilizations spanning five continents
“History Alive!” textbook as a foundation for simulations, small-group projects, and structured note-taking
Integrated lessons encouraging students to critically investigate the elements of civilization: Geography, Beliefs, Economics, Aesthetics, Politics, and Society
Sample projects include: creating early human tools, designing a Mesopotamian water system, navigating a Hindu caste system

7th Grade Social Studies

An examination of the cultural interactions that have fueled the modern world, encompassing trade, migration, slavery, colonialism, revolution, and global cooperation
Engaging activities involving historical research, primary source analysis, creative role-play writing, and traditional essay composition
Interviews with family members, friends, and neighbors about experiences living abroad
Sample projects include: solving global challenges as a Model United Nations, planning a slave ship mutiny, analyzing American culture through the eyes of a newcomer

8th Grade Social Studies

After a nuts-and-bolts overview of U.S. history, “deep dives” into democratic governance, social justice movements, and America's evolving role in the world
Lively discussions, position papers, and group activities, using analytical tools from political science and incorporating “iCivics” curricular materials and internet simulations
A focus on how to engage with opposing points of view respectfully without compromising your values
Sample projects include: defending clients for a constitutional law firm, proposing new amendments to fix “glitches” in the electoral process, crafting strategy for a group of activists

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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Day in the Life

The days for Middle School students at ACDS are designed to develop the interests of our students as they find their independence and self-identity.

Middle School at ACDS offers many academic, elective and after-school experiences. We begin the day with our daily grade-level advocacy program. Students then move between their core subjects and electives taught by our master teachers who share their passion, commitment to children, and subject matter expertise with the students they serve.