English in the middle grades cultivates passionate readers and writers who use language to think critically and communicate with purpose. Students read widely to explore diverse perspectives, analyze how authors use point of view and style, and support their ideas with evidence. Writing is both a craft and a means of discovery — students learn to organize and refine their work for clarity and impact, using literary models to guide their growth. Grammar and vocabulary are taught in context, while technology supports revision and collaboration. Over time, students develop independence, fluency, and voice, seeing themselves as readers, writers, and ethical participants in the world.

The Ethics program helps students develop self-awareness, empathy, and integrity as they navigate identity, relationships, and community. In 6th Grade, students focus on building healthy self-concepts and communication skills through class discussions and the student-to-student peer mentorship program (STS), which fosters cooperation and conflict resolution. In 7th Grade, they explore identity, inclusivity, and justice, examining how personal and social factors shape experience and belonging. By 8th Grade, students apply these insights to real-life ethical dilemmas, strengthening their capacity for empathy, mindfulness, and responsible decision-making. Across all grades, Ethics empowers students to act with compassion and integrity within their communities and the wider world.

History at Fieldston Middle helps students understand how the past shapes the present and equips them with the tools to think critically about the world around them. Over three years — Ancient History in 6th Grade, World Geography in 7th Grade, and American History in 8th Grade — students learn that history is not just facts and dates but a story of people, ideas, and systems that continue to influence our lives. They analyze primary and secondary sources, develop research and writing skills, and use evidence to support their arguments. As students progress, they move from guided inquiry to independent research, crafting thesis statements, essays, and presentations that connect historical study to ethical questions and issues of social justice. By the end of middle school, students think historically, communicate effectively, and recognize the power of understanding the past to shape a more just and informed future.

The Languages program inspires students to become confident communicators and curious global citizens through the study of Mandarin Chinese, French, Spanish, or Latin. In 6th Grade, students rotate through all four languages, exploring their sounds, structures, and cultures while building foundational study skills and cultural awareness. At the end of the year, each student selects one language to pursue more deeply. In 7th Grade, language study becomes immersive, with students practicing speaking, listening, reading, and writing while exploring the traditions and perspectives of their chosen language. They expand vocabulary, develop grammatical accuracy, and engage in creative projects that connect language learning to real-world contexts. By 8th Grade, students communicate with increasing fluency, discussing personal and global topics, comparing cultural perspectives, and using the target language to express ideas. Whether studying a modern or classical language, students leave Middle School with a strong linguistic foundation, empathy, and the confidence to communicate across cultures.

An integral part of Fieldston Middle, the Learning Center supports all students with learning differences through a variety of approaches, including classroom support, small-group instruction, and one-on-one guidance. Students are also encouraged to meet with their teachers as needed to ensure academic success.Beyond direct student support, the Learning Center serves as a resource for faculty, administrators, parents/guardians, and the broader ECFS community. 

The Center’s services include collaborating with faculty and administrators on classroom strategies, coordinating with school psychologists and outside tutors, working with the Learning Styles Committee, communicating evaluation results and accommodations to teachers, and serving as a liaison for students requiring test accommodations.

In 6th Grade math, students build a foundation in integers, fractions, decimals, ratios, and proportions through hands-on projects such as stock market simulations. In 7th Grade, they transition to algebra, exploring variables, equations, exponents, ratios, and percent, applying concepts to real-world problems such as voting methods. By 8th Grade, students deepen their algebraic understanding with multi-step and linear equations, systems, polynomials, and radicals, using graphing and data analysis to connect math to real-life contexts like mortgages and interest rates. Across all grades, instruction emphasizes problem-solving, collaboration, and sound mathematical reasoning, preparing students to approach complex problems with insight and integrity.

In 6th Grade, students begin learning an instrument or voice, develop music-reading skills in all twelve keys, and acquire foundational knowledge of tone production, posture, and basic theory while participating in band, strings, or chorus. In 7th Grade, students expand their skills, performing more advanced repertoire, mastering major and minor key signatures, and gaining independence through solos and more complex ensemble work. By 8th Grade, students prepare for the Fieldston Upper music programs, tackling challenging compositions, joining Jazz Band or the Fieldston Upper ensembles, and experiencing newly commissioned works. Across all grades, instruction emphasizes collaboration, discipline, and creative expression, ensuring students develop both technical proficiency and a lifelong love of music.

The Physical Education and Athletics program fosters skill development, teamwork, and lifelong fitness while emphasizing empathy, kindness, and well-being. Students participate in a wide range of sports — including soccer, basketball, volleyball, swimming, track and field, and more — through coeducational and intramural play, with classes emphasizing personal fitness, tactical understanding, and cooperative competition. 6th Grade students engage in PE four times a week, while 7th and 8th Grade students meet daily, with swimming required for all students. Many practices occur during the school day, allowing students to participate in club and travel teams after school. Middle School interscholastic sports — offered across fall, winter, and spring — are developmental, ensuring meaningful playing time, teaching game fundamentals, and promoting sportsmanship, while balancing inclusivity and student safety.

In 6th Grade science, students study environmental science and engineering, conducting fieldwork on campus and exploring sustainability, environmental justice, and the engineering design process. In 7th Grade, students focus on life science, investigating organisms, homeostasis, heredity, evolution, and the human body while developing skills in observation, data collection, and scientific communication. 8th Grade science deepens understanding of physical science and chemistry, exploring Newtonian mechanics, energy, matter, and atomic interactions. 7th and 8th Grade students also have the opportunity to take engineering elective courses, which provide project-based experiences, from building robotic models to designing 3D-printed creations, emphasizing creative problem-solving, precision, and teamwork. Across all grades, students engage in hands-on labs, research, interdisciplinary projects, and discussions that foster scientific literacy, ethical reflection, and an appreciation for diverse contributors to scientific knowledge.

Fieldston Middle’s Theatre and Dance department offers a rich program for students to explore acting, dance, choreography, and production through four- or eight-week rotations. Each year, 6th Grade students perform a musical, while 7th and 8th Graders stage a dramatic play, with past productions including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Once Upon a Mattress, Mary Poppins, and more. Early grades build foundational skills in Project Arts, Acting I, and Dance I, focusing on improvisation, character creation, choreography, and ensemble performance. As students advance, they tackle monologues, scene study, dance improvisation, original choreography, and backstage roles such as directing, stage management, and technical design. 8th Grade courses are specialized and responsive, including acting, dance, playwriting, directing, and media projects like dance video, helping students refine technique, collaborate creatively, and integrate multiple disciplines.

The Visual Arts program allows students to explore a wide range of media and creative processes while building technical skills and personal expression. In 6th Grade, students develop foundational skills, experiment with materials, and learn to give and receive feedback. In 7th Grade, students follow a set rotation of Visual Arts, Model Building, and other arts courses like Graphic Communications, exploring two- and three-dimensional projects. By 8th Grade, students choose from courses including Digital Art, Drawing and Painting, Printmaking, Photography, Film Lab, Sculpture, and Ceramics, meeting three times per week in eight-week Across all grades, the program emphasizes experimentation, critique, and self-directed learning, giving students increasing freedom to prepare for Fieldston Upper, where they can pursue a visual arts major.