Middle School
Youth in Middle School are prepared to meet greater academic demands at this energetic stage of their academic journey and personal development.
Our Class Teacher model and the Main Lesson Block schedule continue into Middle School. Each class remains with the same Main Lesson teacher for these three years but rotates through subject lessons with teachers who are specialists in their fields. Subject lessons include Math, Science, Orchestra, Woodwork, Handwork, Spanish, Mandarin, Physical Education, and Eurythmy. Small class sizes allow for teachers to see each student and call upon them to focus their unique strengths to the work at hand for their personal growth and the collective benefit of the class community.
Explore the curriculum
Beyond the textbook
dedicated science teacher
- Physics, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry
Additional math Specialist
- Platonic Solids, Business Math, Golden Ratio
CYO team sportS
- Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball
A look into the classroom
Meet our Chair
Find our Explore and Apply process on Ravenna.
Curriculum Projects
In Grades 7 & 8, students are required to select a subject of interest at the culmination of each year for the Curriculum Project. These comprehensive projects result in a final written report, an oral presentation open to family and friends, and a performance and/or object--showing the physical manifestation of their work. Some recent projects have included: analyzing stock market patterns, building an electric guitar pedal, learning how to play the silver flute, studying breathwork optimization in athletes and performers, and baking the perfect sourdough bread.
We join five other Waldorf schools around the Bay Area to schedule an exciting line up of dances throughout the year for our tweens and teens. Their social life gets a boost with music and new friends.
Although class plays begin in Grade 1, they become more complex in Middle School, with drama, comedy, and character-driven scenes that require memorizing longer passages and empathizing with familiar and unfamiliar emotions.
Overnight camping and backpacking trips are highlights of the Middle School experience and include adventures such as rock climbing, waterfall hikes, ocean dips, tent talks, and song around the fire.
After choosing an instrument to study, every Middle Schooler dedicates time to reading and playing music in Orchestra class and private lessons. Each grade forms their own ensemble, and all perform for the whole school in the Spring Concert.
By Grade 7, students have narrowed their study of a world language and moved on from both Mandarin and Spanish classes to pursue one of their choosing in more depth for the last two Middle School years.
Just before graduation, the 8th grade class adventures on a bonding trip together with their class teacher that calls upon the resiliency, skills, and gifts they've nurtured. Often, this unforgettable week away solidifies lifelong friendships.