Middle School Program of Studies 2009-10 (course descriptions by subject and grade; download for web view)

Middle School Program of Studies 2009-10 (download for print)

Please note: In each Program of Studies document, you will see a reference to the "FSC Logo"; we are proud to have our printed materials certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. The logo is not included in the download version of the documents, since we do not control how they might be printed.

The middle school at Friends serves students in sixth, seventh and eighth grades. The program is structured very specifically for this age group, to support, as mutually reinforcing, each student's intellectual/academic, social/interpersonal, and personal/ethical development. The program is also designed in close partnership with upper school academic team to ensure that students are well prepared for the demanding high-school curriculum at Friends.

The challenge of middle school academics comes with an extensive support structure, including our faculty advisor and dean system. The program also includes an emphasis on interdisciplinary projects, critical reading, study skills, group work and techniques of organization, promoting the growth of both independent and cooperative learning. The variety of activities in middle school—including the arts and athletics—allows individual talents to grow and be recognized, appealing to both the cooperative and competitive spirits in children.

The middle/upper school campus at Friends is located on approximately 25 acres, including five athletic fields and six tennis courts, in the residential neighborhood of Alapocas, just outside the City of Wilmington. Two additional athletic fields used by middle and upper school sports teams are located on the lower school campus. The main school building is 175,000 square feet and houses a theatre/auditorium, seven science labs, three full-size gyms and a fitness room, three computer labs, and a Library Media Center with additional computer resources.

For a brief visual introduction to the campus, please see the Middle/Upper School Slideshow.