Middle School Academics

English Language Arts

The Middle School ELA curriculum is an integrated study of literature, composition, grammar, and vocabulary, designed to deepen students’ skills as readers, writers, and critical thinkers. Students engage with a wide range of literary genres—including novels, poetry, short stories, plays, drama, and nonfiction—analyzing texts through historical context, literary elements, and authorial style. Class discussions and journaling provide springboards for both analytical and creative expression, as students compose personal narratives, descriptive and analytical essays, poetry, and more.

Writing instruction emphasizes clarity, organization, and precision, with focused work on revision and editing strategies such as sentence combining, paragraph development, elaboration, and word choice. Grammar study reinforces knowledge of parts of speech, sentence structure, phrases, clauses, and usage, while vocabulary is developed through close engagement with texts and the use of digital tools. Throughout middle school, students also practice public speaking skills through individual and group presentations, cultivating confidence in their ability to articulate ideas across multiple modes of communication.

Math

The middle school mathematics program builds a strong foundation in core concepts while preparing students for advanced high school coursework. Students develop a deep understanding of the real number system, probability, and geometry, including area and volume of geometric figures. Algebraic reasoning is emphasized, with exploration of open sentences, relations, functions, exponents, polynomials, rational and radical expressions, quadratic equations, and systems of linear equations and inequalities.

Advanced opportunities are available for highly motivated students, offering a fast-paced and enriched course of study. These students explore additional topics such as matrices, inverse functions, exponential and logarithmic equations, trigonometric functions, conic sections, probability and statistics, binomial expansion using Pascal’s Triangle, and an introduction to symbolic logic.

Through this comprehensive program, students gain the skills, confidence, and habits of mind necessary for success in higher-level mathematics.

Social Studies

The middle school social studies program helps students understand the complexity of human society, culture, and history while building the critical thinking skills necessary for engaged citizenship. Through the study of geography, civics, economics, and history, students explore how people, places, ideas, and events shape the world around them.

Emphasis is placed on developing analytical and communication skills: students examine primary and secondary sources, compare perspectives, engage in thoughtful discussion, and express their ideas through writing and presentation. Topics of study include ancient civilizations, world religions and cultures, the foundations of government, U.S. history, and the forces that continue to shape global society.

By the end of middle school, students are prepared not only with a strong understanding of historical and social concepts but also with the skills to think critically, engage respectfully with diverse perspectives, and participate thoughtfully in their communities.

The Jewish Middle School division at Kehilla Upper School is built around the unique needs and opportunities of early adolescence. In both general studies and Judaic Studies, students are challenged to think deeply, analyze complex texts, and express their ideas with clarity and confidence. They write with purpose, engage in spirited discussion, and explore the worlds of science and mathematics through inquiry and discovery.

The Middle School years at Kehilla are also a time of creativity and self-expression. Rooted in a warm and supportive environment, our students celebrate Jewish life with joy and pride, taking active roles in holiday observances, Tefillah, and community events that strengthen their connection to Jewish peoplehood and Israel.

Science

The middle school science program nurtures curiosity, critical thinking, and a deep appreciation for the natural world. Students engage in hands-on investigations, lab work, and inquiry-based learning that build a strong foundation in life science, physical science, and earth and space science. Key areas of study include ecosystems, cellular biology, genetics, chemical reactions, forces and motion, energy, astronomy, and Earth’s systems.

Emphasis is placed on developing scientific literacy and problem-solving skills, with students encouraged to ask questions, design experiments, analyze data, and communicate their findings. Technology and lab equipment are integrated throughout the curriculum to enhance exploration and support authentic scientific practices.

For students seeking greater challenge, advanced opportunities allow for deeper study and enrichment, including extended laboratory investigations, independent research, and exposure to higher-level topics.

By the end of middle school, students have not only gained a broad and connected understanding of scientific concepts but also developed the skills, confidence, and curiosity to thrive in high school science and beyond.

Hebrew

Our Middle School Hebrew program is designed to meet students exactly where they are and help them grow into confident, capable Hebrew speakers, readers, and thinkers. Because our students arrive with a wide range of backgrounds and levels of fluency, we offer a fully leveled program that provides every learner with the structure, support, and challenge they need to thrive.

Students build foundational skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking, while also engaging with modern Israeli culture, current events, and authentic Hebrew texts. As they progress, they learn to express themselves with increasing nuance and confidence, gaining the tools to navigate conversations, analyze texts, and connect more deeply with Jewish life and Israel.

Our approach emphasizes joyful, meaningful learning rooted in real-world use of the language. Whether a student is decoding Hebrew for the first time or discussing literature and media in Hebrew, each learner is guided along a clear path of growth. The result is a strong, individualized learning experience that cultivates fluency, pride, and a lifelong connection to the Hebrew language.

Jewish Studies/Soulful World

Our Jewish Studies and Soulful World curricula work together to give students a deep, thoughtful framework for understanding who they are, who they hope to become, and the responsibilities they carry toward their community and the wider global village. Through the Neshama La’Am program, students immerse themselves in the core narratives and big ideas of classical Jewish literature and living. They develop the skills and literacy to engage meaningfully with Tanach and Torah She’be’al Peh, while also learning the art of purposeful dialogue inspired by the great debates of the Talmud. These experiences cultivate a Jewish life filled with meaning, joy, and moral clarity.

Soulful World introduces students to the major religious and philosophical traditions that have shaped human understanding, from Vedic scriptures to Aristotle’s ethics. This exposure nurtures empathy, insight, and the ability to understand differing perspectives.

This curriculum also nurtures the development of the tools necessary to understand different perspectives with a sense of empathy and empowered dialogue.