Middle School

Our middle school emphasizes and develops 6 core values:

• Strong academic habits 

• Respect

• Compassion

• Integrity

• Self-discipline

• Intellectual curiosity

These values help provide safe, supportive opportunities for children to grow, flourish, and learn. 

Marshall's Middle School's core curriculum is designed to be developmentally appropriate and skill-based, integrating appropriate rigor and exploration to foster critical thinking, collaboration, and personal growth. Middle School students follow a liberal arts academic program that includes English, mathematics, science, social studies, world language, fine arts, health and physical education in our seven period day. In alignment with our core value of strong academic habits, students focus on building key skills like how to form arguments, algebraic thinking, scientific investigative skills, strong social studies habits, fundamental art skills, healthy movement, and much more. The curriculum not only prepares students academically but also equips students with the skills and mindset necessary to successfully transition to Marshall's college preparatory Upper School program.

At Marshall, learning is not one-size-fits-all. Students are encouraged to explore their interests, ask meaningful questions, and take ownership of their learning through individualized and project-based experiences woven throughout the curriculum.

Whether diving into a passion during Genius Hour, collaborating on real-world challenges at Sustainability Fest, or engaging in hands-on classroom projects, students learn by doing. From designing experiments and launching weather balloons to creative explorations like book tastings and community traditions like Apple Day, learning comes to life in meaningful and memorable ways.

These experiences build more than knowledge. They develop curiosity, creativity, problem-solving skills, and confidence, empowering students to see themselves as capable learners and thinkers.

In Middle School, social development is critical to the development of healthy, confident young people. Crew is an advisory program that focuses on supporting positive identity formation, includes meaningful learning experiences, and builds a positive school culture within the school community. Our Middle School Crews meet twice a day and provide a supportive structure to student development. 

“The purpose of Crew is to help students become ethical people and effective learners who contribute to building a more just and equitable world.” 

In every season, Hilltoppers at all grade levels get outside during the day to take advantage of our beautiful campus and the healthy benefits of being connected to the outdoors. When the snow falls, you will catch our middle school students out on our ski trails making use of the moment. Beyond the numerous experiences on our 42-acre campus, students access two formal outdoor experiences as a part of the middle school program.  Each winter, the 7th grade class travels to the edge of the Boundary Waters for 3 nights/4 days at the YMCA Camp Widjiwagan's Northwood Resource Center and in May of each year the 6th grade class travels up the North Shore to the Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center for a 2 night/3 day class trip.

Middle school students have a chance to participate in a variety of school sponsored clubs and activities.  Opportunities to choose from several athletic teams, STEM groups like Lego Robotics, or optional music ensembles.

The arts are an important part of the middle school experience.  Students can choose to participate in music or visual arts as a part of their regular class schedule.  Each year the 5th and 6th grade classes prepare and perform a class play on the Fregeau stage.  7th and 8th grade students have the opportunity to participate in the Fall Musical and Spring drama productions.

Our middle school is built around developing a shared sense of community between teachers and students across all grade levels. The entire middle school gathers weekly to celebrate individual and team achievements, share updates, and see examples of the school mission in action. Throughout the year, special activities like spirit weeks and house cup competitions celebrate and build a vibrant middle school community.