The Middle School prides itself on the relationships formed among students and teachers as we seek to foster a sense of community based on respect and belonging. This nurtured sense of community provides a foundation upon which students can grow in confidence by learning from opportunities and challenges. During a time of rapid developmental change, our Middle Schoolers benefit from having most academic classes separated by gender, allowing teachers to focus intensively on the developmental and academic needs of each student. Our advisory program, supported by our Guidance and Academic Services staff, provides a more intimate setting to ensure that the social, emotional, and intellectual needs of each student are being met. Service opportunities, activities, and Cub sports strengthen the sense of community, develop teamwork skills, and promote friendships.

What distinguishes our Middle School classes is our single-sex structure with most being just boys or just girls. This gives students the freedom to be their adolescent selves as they tackle new academic challenges and continue to build on foundations laid in the Lower School. The curriculum allows for advancement, choices, and participation in grade-wide initiatives like Envision Richmond, the 8th Grade Capstone program.

Our tools are temporary, our teaching is timeless. We don’t know exactly what tomorrow’s tools will look like, but we know they will continually change and we have faith in our teachers that they will sift the wheat from the chaff, that they will be flexible yet discerning in their methods, and that they will always preserve the essential Collegiate teacher/student relationship. We use technology that provides the right tool at the right time, that is suited to individual student needs, and that encourages students to be both connected and present.