Programs
Middle Grades
Thinking, Feeling, and Willing
Grades 6 – 8 · Rigorous academics · Arts, sciences & experiential learning
About the Middle Grades Program
Preparing Young Adults for the World
The middle grades at Sanderling meet the adolescent exactly where they are — in the midst of one of the most profound transformations of their lives. The curriculum is not a scaled-down version of high school academics; it is a carefully crafted response to the developmental needs of 11- to 14-year-olds, weaving together rigorous intellectual work, artistic expression, and direct experience of the natural and social world.
Our young adults spend quality time outdoors being educated by the natural world, absorbing lessons that can only be learned by listening to nature's wise secrets. Middle schoolers are prepared for the modern world by learning through the lens of their own experiences — cultivating their confidence and truest sense of self.
From the twelve-year change of sixth grade to the culminating capstone project of eighth grade, every year is designed to challenge and nourish the whole adolescent — intellectually, artistically, and as a human being finding their place in the world.
How We Teach
Six Pillars of the Middle Grades Experience
Sciences & Observation
Physics, chemistry, geology, astronomy, and physiology are introduced through hands-on experimentation and careful observation — building the scientific habit of mind alongside wonder.
Writing & Literature
From expository essays to research papers, creative writing, and Shakespeare, students develop their voice as thinkers and communicators across a range of genres and purposes.
History & Geography
Ancient Rome, the Renaissance, the Age of Exploration, Revolutions, and the modern world — history is taught as a living story that illuminates the present.
Experiential & Outdoor Learning
Biodynamic farming and gardening ground the curriculum in direct experience of the natural world, cultivating stewardship, responsibility, and a relationship with living systems.
Arts & Music
Strings, choral singing, perspective drawing, painting, clay modeling, and drama are woven through all three years — the arts remain central, not peripheral, to middle school life.
Practical Crafts
Woodworking, sewing, and handwork continue into the middle grades, developing precision, patience, and the satisfaction of making something real with one's own hands.
Curriculum
Grade-by-Grade Overview
Select a grade to explore its themes, subjects, and curriculum highlights.
Capstone
The Eighth Grade Project
The eighth grade project is a significant capstone experience that commences in August and culminates in a spring presentation. Students receive their project requirements at the end of seventh grade and each is allowed to choose their own topic with teacher oversight.
As part of the project, students are required to seek, secure, and work with a mentor who is experienced within the area of their chosen topic. The project consists of three parts: a written research paper, an oral presentation, and the creation of a physical product.
Past projects have included building a Tesla coil, making a guitar, directing a play, writing and performing a monologue, and creating an original work of art. The project is a testament to what eight years of Waldorf education makes possible.
Written Research Paper
Oral Presentation
Physical Creation
Mentor Partnership
Ready to Begin?
Join the Middle Grades Program
We are currently enrolling for the 2026–2027 school year. Schedule a tour to visit our campus and see the classrooms in action.