Middle School

List of 9 frequently asked questions.

• Middle School Schedule

  Students rotate through eight 45-minutes classes daily without any bells sounding. They have a mid-morning snack break, an hour for recess and lunch every day, and a school-issued laptop. In addition to core academic subjects, students take classes in the fine arts (i.e., orchestra, choir, band, art), PE, health, and technology. Our two week schedule rotation allows for a dynamic period, team time, that takes the place of one academic period 8 out of 10 days. Team time occurs middle school wide and is a time when all middle school students are able to focus on grade-level and middle school wide pursuits as well as pursuing and exploring different interests.

• Advisory

  The Orchard School believes students thrive and succeed when they feel a sense of connectedness, efficacy, safety, and independence. Orchard’s middle school advisory program provides each middle school student with a sense of connectedness. Each advisory has an advisor, a grade level teacher, and approximately 10 students. Advisories work through a variety of team building activities, such as initiatives on Orchard’s ropes course, canoeing, camping, and other challenge activities, to create a safe space where social-emotional learning and academic mentorship takes place. Advisories meet each morning and at various times throughout the week. Advisors are the main liaisons between home and school and play the role of information distributors, mentors, coaches, cheerleaders, and advocates.

• Winterm

  Winterm is a two-week intensive class that meets in February where students study a topic of passion or strong curiosity. Rather than a superficial exploration, this model allows for great depth of study and understanding. This two-week intensive term is known as Winterm. During Winterm, students engage in one mixed-grade course which will go in-depth into a unit or field of study.
  
  One of the biggest benefits of an intensive class at a progressive school is students choose their Winterm course based on personal interest. This allows students the opportunity to run with an academic topic, which also fuels a personal passion. In this atmosphere, students are excited to pursue more information and dive deep into the curriculum. It is a pure celebration of learning within a group of students who share a similar interest. Examples of Winterm courses: a musical production; Cook Healthy, Eat Local; Business Leadership in the Next Generation; Marsville: Colonizing the Red Planet; Creative Writing and Illustrating; and Slot Car Racing.
  
  See pictures and read more about Orchard's Winterm.

• Clubs

  Student-driven clubs meet weekly during the school day. Clubs offer students the chance to explore interests, build leadership skills, and work within a multi-group peer set. Each club has a faculty facilitator. There is always a wide variety of offering that change each trimester. Examples are: Debate Team, Yoga, Model UN, Student Leadership Council, No Place for Hate, Ultimate Frisbee, Songwriting and Podcast Club.  

• Wellness Class

  Students attend wellness class as a part of their daily schedule. Wellness class consists of physical education classes as well as trimester rotations of DEI class facilitated by our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator; SEL class facilitated by our School Counselor; and OE class facilitated by our Outdoor Education Coordinators. 

• Class Trips

  Each grade level takes an exciting out of town trip. The trips not only have strong curricular connections but offer a chance for students to exercise responsibility, self-control and independence while growing closer with one another. Fifth grade travels to Mammoth Cave, sixth grade tours St. Louis, seventh grade explores the Ohio River Valley, and eighth grade visits Washington, D.C.

• Athletics

  The Orchard School athletics program offers a wide variety of extracurricular sports experiences for children in grades 5 through 8. Our no-cut policy gives each student athlete the chance to explore athletic interests and develop physically and socially while learning about commitment, dedication, and sportsmanship. Contact Orchard's athletic director, Justin Burris, if you have any questions. jburris@orchard.org

  
  

  Fall, winter and spring sports seasons offer experiences in nine sports:
  

  • Soccer 
  • Cross Country
  • Volleyball
  • Tennis
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Baseball
  • Softball
  • Track and Field

• The Arts

  Orchard has long valued the arts. In middle school, students take a one trimester visual art class each year. Students participate in music classes each day. In fifth grade, students begin playing a musical instrument as well as sing in the fifth grade choir. In sixth through eighth grade, students are able to choose either band, orchestra, or choir. Students who are passionate about the arts are able to pursue their interests through Winterm and Club classes such as: Fiber Arts, a musical, book and paper arts, Japanese art, and 2D or Not 2D.

   

• Leadership Opportunities

  Orchard graduates leaders by providing opportunities for students to exercise independence and take on responsibility. Adolescents have the ability to make independent decisions but must be given the chance to do so. There are a number of opportunities for our students such as: Student Ambassadors, 7th and 8th grade students represent our school and give tours to prospective families; teacher assistants, 5th-8th grade students volunteer to assist teachers in multi-age elementary classrooms; Student Leadership Council, middle school students brainstorm, plan and execute philanthropic and social events; Special Friends, each middle school student is paired with a younger student taking a leadership role in the relationship.  In this way, our students learn by doing while building the foundation for leadership skills.