View Curriculum By Grade Level

Classes often link together to provide interdisciplinary depth to each subject.  TSMS is run on 9-week modules, during which class studies cross over as much as possible across a student’s schedule.  7th grade Science takes its study of the human body to the next level by joining with Technology class on a project to create a computer game set in an internal organ system.  In 7th grade Humanities, students apply what they have learned in their persuasive essay unit to a series of mock trials, in which they will take on the role of a lawyer.  This culminates in a ‘Supreme Court’ case held in a downtown courthouse.

The courses are broken up into 3 divisions: Core classes, Enrichment classes and Advisory.  Core classes include Math, Science and Humanities—a combination of English and Social Studies in a 100-minute double-block.   In order to ease 6th graders' transition to middle school, 6th graders only have two core teachers, with the same teacher instructing them for Math and Science.  Enrichment classes include Art, PE, Technology, Spanish, Music, and Drama.  All students get all of these classes in varying amounts depending on their grade level.  Some grades have immersion in Enrichment (e.g. Art 5 days a week for two modules) while other grades have a sampler (e.g. Art two-three days a week all year).  All students have at least two periods of Physical Education throughout.  Advisory meets every morning for ten minutes in a ‘homeroom’ capacity and twice a week for a full-length period.  Students are grouped in advisories with a faculty member who will serve as a staff advocate for the child.  There are between twelve and fifteen kids in an advisory.  This small-group setting allows students to have a space to discuss the many issues of early adolescence.  Our three-year Advisory curriculum has been developed in conjunction with several community-based organizations, focusing on such topics as the adjustment to middle school, healthy decision-making, identity formation, body image, bullying and teasing, and how to be organized.

Our curriculum is supplemented by Challenge Projects in every class, whereby students are encouraged to take what they are studying in class to a deeper level.  Math Olympiad teams meet at lunch and After School.  And for students who are in need, there are small-group support courses in Math and Reading that meet during the school day.