Middle School Academics

Academic Program Description

The Gerstell Academy Middle School curriculum for students in grades six, seven, and eight consists of nine courses that provide a solid foundation of leadership skills and fundamental knowledge.  The students take the following nine courses every year:

1. Leadership
2. History
3. Science
4. Spanish
5. Math
6. English
7. Physical Education
8. Art
9. Music

The schedule is a mixed block schedule with each class meeting 3 or 4 times weekly with the exception of Physical Education which meets five days a week.

Leadership education and skill development are integral components of every course and activity ensuring the development of each young leader’s unique skill set, knowledge base, and awareness of self.  At Gerstell Academy that skill set, knowledge, and awareness is taught through an integrated approach, with every instructor of every course in the curriculum focused on leadership development as well as their academic topic.  Each classroom leader integrates Gerstell Academy’s “Five Academic Areas of Leadership” where appropriate into their academic course work.

The Five Academic Areas are:

1. Traditional leadership – leadership skills (social skill, manners, public speaking, moral and ethical decision making, conflict resolution.)
2. History – past 25-50 years of US History from the leadership perspective of why the United States is a world leader today.
3. Science – emphasis on environmental issues and sustaining life on earth
4. Psychology – adolescent and human development
5. Comparative religions and cultures – Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

In addition to the five areas the students will study all 150 leadership portraits that adorn the hallways of Robert E. Smith Hall.  One of the best ways  to learn leadership is vicariously through others; through their stories, studying their actions, and learning what kind of person they were.  The “Portrait Leaders” provide a rich resource of leaders.

The Middle School Leadership course is a core course providing education and skill development in all of the areas of leadership.  The course covers many of the specific skills and topics in the area of traditional leadership such as: public speaking, moral ethical and legal decision-making, the honor code, organizational skills, teamwork,  and community service. 

Spanish and physical education are part of the core curriculum.  Since Spanish-speaking peoples will constitute the largest minority in the United States shortly, Spanish is the core modern language course.  Leaders able to read, write, and speak Spanish effectively will be well-equipped to compete and address the challenges of the 21st century on a national and international level.  The goal of Gerstell Academy is to have students functionally fluent in Spanish by high school graduation.  Chinese and Arabic will be offered as the school grows and numbers allow.

Physical training which is comprised of the physical education and athletic program is an important part of the academic and leadership program.  Physical education is a core course, meeting for five periods a week with the goal of instilling lifelong physical fitness in every student.  Physical fitness, goal setting, and self-discipline are all part of the physical education program.  A healthy mind and body, stamina to work through challenging times, and the ability to act and react in a fluid environment help to make one a more effective leader.  The athletic program provides the opportunity for healthy competition and additional avenues to exhibit leadership skills.

The core courses are provided in an academically challenging environment and take advantage of the natural tendencies of the middle school student.  The faculty will utilize teaching methods including independent study, cooperative group work, and hands-on activities. 

The Gerstell Academy Middle School student has the opportunity to leave middle school with a solid sense of identity, as well as the confidence, the skill set, critical thinking skills, and the fundamental knowledge base to enter upper school as a well-grounded, physically fit young leader.

The Gerstell Academy values are defined by our Motto, Principles and Attributes and serve as the foundation of the Leadership and academic program and integrated throughout the curriculum and in each subject area.  Influential leaders from the fields of science, math, English, Spanish, art, and music will be presented and discussed.