the middle school experience

Sea Crest’s middle school program is designed to support students as they navigate the richly rewarding—and sometimes challenging—middle years. Small class sizes create a comfortable, safe space where students can explore their own identities, try out new ideas, and pursue areas of personal passion or interest. Teachers and staff form a close bond with students, as they loop in grades sixth, seventh, and eighth with subject specialists who take the time to get to know them as individuals and challenge them to strive for their personal best. Middle school advisors serve as student advocates on campus and provide a critical link between home and school.

Through core classes in history, English, mathematics, science, Spanish, and physical education, students learn valuable study and time-management skills, develop empathy and cooperative learning tools, and participate in leadership, drama and music performances, visual arts experiences, and athletic teams.

students reading papers english

In middle-school English students are empowered to view reading, writing, speaking and listening as vehicles through which they can discover their own identity and voice, view the world from a new perspective, develop empathy for others, and explore what it means to be human.
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Critical thinking is heavily emphasized throughout the year as students acquire the skills of literary analysis through whole-group novel studies and reading-response journal entries based on self-selected independent reading choices. Students explore the important roles character, conflict, and perspective play in literature, while learning to infer the theme or author’s message in a story. Middle-school English also includes an independent reading component designed to encourage students to discover personal interests, explore a variety of genres, and build a reading life that will extend beyond school.

Writing is explored in its many different forms as a vehicle for communicating and sharing ideas with others. Students compose meaningful pieces that emulate the kinds of writing found in the “real world”. Writing is defined as a process, not a product. Students learn to navigate the writer’s journey from inception to draft, revision to final polished piece. Ongoing lessons in writing conventions and craft help students to communicate their thoughts and ideas with greater clarity and precision.

Throughout middle-school English, students are encouraged to regularly reflect on their growth as readers and writers. Rich discussions, debates, and presentations help them to develop valuable speaking skills and gain confidence sharing their opinions with peers. Each year builds upon the last, increasing in sophistication and complexity with an eye towards creating readers, writers, and thinkers who are well prepared for the challenges of high school and beyond.

sample core novels

6th Grade
Holes by Lois Sachar and
Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick
7th Grade
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton and
The Giver by Lois Lowry
8th Grade
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and
Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes

sample writing projects

6th Grade
Character Diary
Feature Article
Hero’s Quest Theme Project
Compare- and-Contrast Mythology Essay
Book Talks
7th Grade
Short Fiction “Scary Stories”
Memoir
Multimedia Poetry Project
Character Analysis Essay
Book Trailer Project
8th Grade
“Walk in My Shoes” Creative Perspective Piece
Theme Essay
Biographical Sketch
Comparative Poetry Glog
Interview Profile

at the asian museum history

The goal of our middle-school history program is to engage students in making connections to themes of justice, survival, and equality throughout history. Experiential learning and bringing history to life are critical to instilling a passion for our past.
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Learning is further brought to life through extensive field trips, including the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum & Planetarium, the San Francisco Asian Art Museum, the Legion of Honor, the immigration station on Angel Island, a swearing-in of new citizens in San Francisco, and a trip to Washington DC, that help place learning in a real-world context.

grade six

Sixth-grade students focus their studies on ancient civilizations from Mesopotamia to Rome, Egypt, and Greece. Throughout, they are asked to view these civilizations through the lens of justice. Lessons concentrate on understanding the development of ancient societies. Furthermore, the student-centered curriculum allows sixth-graders the opportunity to develop an expertise in an area of history that is of personal interest to them. They research, develop, and articulate their findings in a variety of ways—written works, individual and group verbal presentations, and creative projects. In addition, students use the skills and concepts gained in examining the ancient societies to draw connections to current issues and events in the world. Students become historians through analysis of primary and secondary source documents, library research, note taking, and research-report writing, applying some of the valuable research skills taught at this level. Presentation skills are emphasized throughout the year and students learn how to share information in an engaging way with their audience.

Special projects include: the Greek Olympics Day, Demonstration Speeches, and Power Point Presentations.

grade seven

Seventh-grade students focus their studies on medieval societies from the fall of Rome to medieval China, Japan, and Europe. They also explore the world of the Mayans, Aztecs, and Incas. Survival is the thematic focus in examining these civilizations. Intense study of world geography is embedded in the curriculum as are current events related to the different geographic regions. As a continuation of the work they do in sixth grade, seventh graders develop an in-depth analysis of one aspect of medieval society. They are asked to develop that analysis through the research process, project design, and finally an oral presentation. Students learn the important role perspective plays in historical analysis, as they learn to identify and interpret bias.

Special projects include: the Renaissance Fair, Wonders of the World Presentation, and World’s Fair Project.

grade eight

Eighth-grade students examine the question “What does it mean to be an American?”. Particular attention is paid to key historical moments that have defined the American identity, including the American Revolution and the writing of the U.S. Constitution, westward expansion, slavery and the Civil War, immigration, and various suffrage movements.

Students use the tools of sociology, geography, history, and political science to examine issues of equality related to each of these periods. Historical context is built upon experiential learning when students travel, in the spring, to Washington DC, Jamestown and Williamsburg where the history they have studied is brought to life.

Special projects include: Memorial Research Project, How-a-Bill-Becomes-a-Law Flow Chart, “Moral, Ethical, and Spiritual” Essays, and the Eighth Grade Capstone Project on Social Justice.

math class mathematics

Benefiting from a combination of teacher-directed lessons, long-term projects, and group and independent work, students progress through appropriately challenging math classes, which cover pre-algebra, algebra, and math analysis.
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Students receive a solid foundation in algebraic concepts and functions. Teachers work from a cross-disciplinary perspective, helping students to understand the applications of mathematical principles in other subjects such as chemistry and physics. We realize that students often learn best by teaching others, and our middle-school students not only are encouraged to teach lessons to their peers, but also visit some of our lower- school grades to teach the younger classes specific math lessons.

At the heart of the middle-school math program is the math notebook. Students keep a notebook in which to track their thinking and progress through class lessons, homework, and their ability to make connections to mathematics in everyday life. This also allows parents and students to monitor their progress on an ongoing basis. Our graduates are well prepared for high school mathematics.

science fair science

Utilizing a combination of hands-on exploration, research, long-term projects, and classroom discussion, our science classes aim to nurture positive attitudes and an enthusiasm for science. Developing scientific literacy and writing skills, as well as using and recording the scientific method, are main focus points at all grade levels.
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grade six

Students in sixth grade are introduced to the concept that science is not a body of information, but rather a way of finding information. Students learn about measurement, observation, and experimentation. We use these skills to explore topics in planetary science: meteorology, geology, and astronomy. Students learn about the atmospheric and geologic phenomena that affect their lives in the Bay Area and around the world.

Additionally, we explore the current issues facing life on our planet as part of a year-long service-learning focus on the topic of Global Sustainability. This knowledge provides a framework in which to think about the diversity of life on Earth, which they will then encounter in the seventh grade life-science curriculum.

grade seven

In seventh grade science, students explore the wonders of life and living systems. Starting with a study of the structure of cells, the building blocks for all living things, students explore increasingly complex living systems from plants and animals, to the systems and structure of the human body. To develop a greater understanding of how these systems interact within a living organism, students will participate in a dissection of a sheep’s hearst and fetal pigs. Through an in-depth study of key human body systems, students will gain a greater understanding of their own bodies and an appreciation for the complexity of life. Finally, understanding where we come from leads to a study of genetics and the evolution of life on the planet.

Throughout the year, particular attention is paid to scientific investigations and lab skills with the goal of developing thoughtful, detail-oriented young scientists. This focus culminates in the creation of individual student projects that apply and reflect all we have learned about the scientific process and demonstrate an area of personal interest or passion for students.

grade eight

During eighth grade, the goals of the program are to expand upon already developed laboratory and observational skills, to develop new conceptual understandings in the area of physical science, and to prepare students for the rigors of high school science. Students begin their eighth grade year with a study of units of matter, atomic structure, and the periodic table, which culminates in students researching and constructing a detailed model of an element.

Using these core scientific tools, students move on to basic concepts in chemistry, developing skills in working with chemical equations and the reactions they represent. Lab work includes experiments involving basic reactions, acids and bases, changes of state, and combustion. The study of chemistry leads to an examination of drugs and their impact on the chemistry of the brain. This unit is designed to educate students about the effects of drugs and how they interact with our bodies while illuminating the inherent dangers of drug use and abuse.

Eighth-grade science also introduces the core principles of physics: motion and forces (Newton’s Laws) through the study of simple machines, motors and amusement park rides. Students demonstrate their understanding of Newton’s Laws of Physics by constructing a “vehicle” to protect an egg being dropped from a 75-foot fire ladder and designing their own amusement park rides after studying—and experiencing first-hand—the forces that push and pull.

The year rounds out with a study of sex education designed to raise awareness regarding life choices, pregnancy, and sexually transmitted diseases. Students participate in a simulation activity where they must care for a five-pound “flour baby” over the course of a week, including waking up in the middle of the night for scheduled “feedings”. The simulation helps students begin to appreciate the amount of work and responsibility needed to care for an infant.

dia de los muertos shrine spanish

The philosophy of the Sea Crest Spanish department is that every student have the opportunity to develop listening, speaking, reading and writing abilities in Spanish, and be inspired to use this lifelong skill to form relationships with—and gain a deeper understanding of—people of different backgrounds and cultures.
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In our safe, cooperative, and social environment in the classroom, learning a foreign language can be fun, interactive, hands-on, and rewarding for any student. Using a variety of mediums through which to explore a language, students build their skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. This is accomplished by having a high level of social interaction and support during class time, using listening activities, visual prompts, creative projects and games while working individually, in pairs, small groups, and all together.

Given our locale, it is our hope to instill a sense of comfort among our students to cross language barriers and be able to communicate with native Spanish-speakers directly in our own community and abroad. Upon graduation from the Sea Crest middle school Spanish program, most students find great success in Level II or III Spanish during their freshman year in high school.

field hockey physical education

The physical education program’s philosophy is that every student have the opportunity to learn and grow in their physical abilities, social skills, and emotional wellness. Students are encouraged to participate fully, with maximum effort, always doing their personal best.
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This begins with and leads to building a solid foundation of physical motor skills. It expands with a focus on specific sport skill development and an opportunity to learn how to compete positively. The experience culminates with the refinement of physical skills, mastery of social skills, and an introduction of non-mainstream sports and nutritional science that inspire lifelong participation in a physically healthy lifestyle. A final goal of our physical education program is to graduate students who have a full working understanding of the Sea Crest School Guiding Principles and how they apply to their lives.

All middle school students partake in physical education for 55 minutes four times per week.

set design electives

Enrichment and exploration are an important part of Sea Crest middle school experience. Our elective program is dynamic and constantly evolves to accommodate teacher passion and student interest.
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Electives offered in the past include

aerodynamics
digital photography
French
leadership
logos and brands
model making
multi-media
newspaper
printmaking
programming and web design
sign language

Some electives are offered year to year

band
chorus
improvisational theater
set design and build
yearbook

dc trip off-campus learning

Experiential learning and bringing the classroom to life are critical to instilling a passion for learning. Students in our program attend various field trips to many local cultural, historical and social institutions. In addition, each spring, all three middle-school grade levels participate in experiential learning programs away from campus.
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outdoor education

The sixth and seventh grades benefit from outdoor education programs in the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Marin Headlands. The goals of the outdoor education programs are to foster adolescent independence and provide students with opportunities for team building and collaboration, as well as teach the students how to be stewards of the land, and model sound ecological and environmental ethics.

washington dc

The eighth grade students spend five days discovering United States history and government in and around the nation’s capital. Students participate as historians while exploring the Capitol Building, Smithsonian Museums, and other historically important venues—putting themselves in the shoes of those who made key decisions that have affected our history. Side trips to Jamestown and Williamsburg are also included in this journey.

Below is a sampling of other recent field trips

Angel Island Immigration Station
Asian Art Museum
Chamber Theatre
Fitzgerald Marine Reserve
Legion of Honor
New-citizen swearing-in ceremony in San Francisco
Physics Day at Great America
Rosicrucian Museum
San Francisco Zoo
San Jose Tech Museum

at the sf food bank service learning

Our program seeks to help students develop understanding and empathy for others, learn to respect and uphold the rights of their fellow human beings, and acquire the habits of globally aware individuals and productive citizens. We do this by embedding Service Learning throughout our curriculum.
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grade six

Students in sixth grade focus on the topic of Global Sustainability. In history class, they examine how global issues impact the economic situation in various regions, as well as the historical background of its presence. In science, students explore the environmental impact that pollution, and other human byproducts have on our earth. Upon building context within the curriculum, students embark on various service projects, from coastal clean-ups, to managing the school composting and recylcing initiative, to leading an awareness campaign including organizing our Earth Day carnival. Students use their knowledge to attempt to solve the environmental problems facing our world.

grade seven

Literacy is the focus of our seventh grade service learning. Students investigate the causes and impact of illiteracy locally and in various parts of the world in order to develop an awareness of the vital role literacy plays in their lives and the lives of others. This is done through discussions in social studies looking, historically, at how literacy has developed and evolved through the ages, for its implications in the present day. The students also gain an understanding of the impact literacy has on one’s opportunities for the future. In language arts, our seventh grade students become year-long pen pals with students from the Arusha Alliance School in Tanzania and lead a book and school supply drive to benefit our friends there. To understand that they can make a difference in affecting illiteracy locally, our seventh graders become involved with the Teen Leader Reader program as literacy mentors through the Half Moon Bay library.

grade eight

Eighth grade students focus their service learning on the issues of hunger and poverty. The program strives to build an understanding of the historical causes of hunger and bring into action ways to reduce hunger and poverty in the Bay Area. Students connect their service-learning curriculum content to action steps when they volunteer with the San Francisco Food Bank, serve meals at Glide Memorial, and help coordinate and organize various food drives which benefit local organizations.

advisory challenge advisory

The advisory program for grades 6–8 is led by teachers who serve as student advocates, mentors, and primary links of communication between home and school. Advisory is a safe space for students to explore issues, share thoughts and ideas, and cultivate a sense of self within a respectful caring environment.
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Beyond building supportive relationships with school adults and peers, advisory provides academic advice and support, team-building activities that incorporate higher level thinking and communication skills, opportunities to explore important social issues facing pre-teens, and school spirit challenges that build a sense of community across grade levels in fun and engaging ways.

Each advisory group is multi-grade, and students stay with the same advisor throughout their middle school years.