Sixth grade English continues to reinforce grammar skills and language mechanics with an emphasis on narrative writing. Vocabulary skills are based on Latin and Greek root words. Challenging but age-appropriate novels are read in class and at home. The literature book covers a wide range of fiction including poetry, drama, and short stories as well as non-fiction essays and autobiographies. Students write in various formats to enhance their learning experience and apply the grammar skills learned.

In sixth grade, returning students remain with the major art class chosen in fifth grade (new students select one) - Strings, Band, or Chorus - as their major art class. On alternating days, students rotate by quarter through Visual Art, Theater, General Music (non-performing), and Small Group Lessons in their major art class. During the small group lesson students are allowed to explore more deeply the concepts taught in the Chorus, Band, and Strings classes.  They also are given more autonomy to ask questions, explore individual interests, and build on skills learned in the larger class.

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Sixth-graders explore the development of civilizations throughout the Ancient and Medieval periods in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the Americas thematically. Students experience history through a wide variety of methods including investigations, simulations, and discussions of world history. By employing thought-provoking and interactive activities, students will be able to compare different cultures and make meaningful connections to their own lives. Themes covered include economics, achievements of ancient civilizations, and origins of systems of belief.

The sixth-grade math program builds upon prior knowledge, exploring each topic in greater depth and with increased application.  Units of study include:  Operations with whole numbers & decimals, operations with integers, operations with fractions, solving multi-step equations and inequalities, ratio, proportion, percent, perimeter, area, volume, surface area, statistics, and graphing linear equations. Abstract thinking, application, and problem-solving permeate each unit. Various manipulatives, Chromebooks, technology opportunities, and mathematics competitions are used for enrichment. There is a strong emphasis on collaboration among students and teachers.

Sixth-Grade Pre-Algebra

This course enables a select group of sixth-grade students to make connections between concrete experiences and abstract ideas within areas of mathematics. This pre-algebra program builds upon prior knowledge to dive deeper into expressions, equations, inequalities, integers, linear functions, geometry, probability, and statistics as a foundation for Algebra I. A cornerstone of this class is that students learn to be strategic in their thinking through analyzing problems at the conceptual level. Multiple approaches to creative problem-solving are valued and reinforced through communication and collaboration. Integration of the curriculum allows for mathematics to be relevant in the real world. Chromebooks, graphing calculators, and mathematics competitions are used for enrichment.

Health Education

In grades five through eight, age-appropriate texts and resources are used to teach mental, physical, and social skills necessary to maintaining one's health. Units taught include human growth and development, evaluating health-related information, products and services, decision-making, family living, nutrition, safety and basic first aid, and environmental health.

Physical Education

The Middle School physical education program stresses physical fitness and a variety of athletic experiences. The program includes training and testing for the Cannon strength and conditioning program. Also included are units on soccer, flag football, volleyball, tennis, aerobics, cardiovascular fitness and conditioning, basketball, softball, baseball, and lacrosse. Participation is mandatory. However, students develop skills for performance at their individual levels.

The middle school science curriculum incorporates the different disciplines of science into each course of study beginning in fifth grade. In sixth grade, the major topics to be covered include the brain and growth mindset, classification of life, cells, properties of water, rocks and minerals, plate tectonics, simple machines and the physics of motion. There is also a strong focus on skills that middle school students need. Some of the skills are specific to science, such as gathering and analyzing data using scientific tools. Other skills are basic technological and research skills as well as general study and organizational skills, such as reading comprehension, taking notes and time management.

In sixth grade, world language is an integral part of the curriculum, and students attend daily classes to learn basic grammar and vocabulary to allow them to describe themselves and the world around them in the target language.