Academics

Middle School | Gr. 6–8

Middle school is a time for discovery, growth, and courage—a chance for students to take big leaps, become their authentic selves, and stretch their potential in ways they never imagined.
At Shipley, we embrace that. Grades 6–8 are years of bold discovery, where students figure out who they are, what excites them, and how they want to engage with the world. We don’t ask them to play it safe; we encourage them to explore, stumble, reflect, and try again.

But what makes the Shipley Middle School experience so unique is how we live our mission. That means blending academic excellence with character education and creating a culture where students are challenged, supported, and known. We see middle school as a launchpad: not just for Upper School, but for life.

Our Curriculum

Made to Inspire Middle Schoolers

Shipley’s Middle School curriculum is designed to spark curiosity and build confidence. Here, students dive deep into subjects through hands-on, inquiry-driven projects that encourage critical thinking and personal connection.

In science, students explore physics as early as 6th grade and work through experiments that emphasize creativity and reasoning. In English and history, they tackle high school-level texts and lead class discussions on powerful works like Macbeth, Fahrenheit 451, and Warriors Don’t Cry. They write with purpose, research using primary sources, and learn to question deeply and think independently.

We offer leveled, non-track math courses and a rich selection of world languages, ensuring each student is both challenged and supported. Whether it’s building robots, creating capstone projects, or exploring interdisciplinary connections, students don’t just learn content—they learn how to learn.

Field Trips & Experiential Learning

In Middle School, learning comes alive in the classroom and beyond.
  • Bringing History to Life Bringing History to Life
    Visit a history classroom in West Middle School and you’ll hear the hum of engaged students who are not merely learning about the past, but stepping into it. Teachers bring engagement and creativity to the curriculum, transforming historical events and concepts into dynamic, participatory experiences that inspire students to think critically, connect emotionally, and develop a lifelong curiosity for history.
  • Grade Level Trips Grade Level Trips
    Stepping beyond classroom walls, middle schoolers embark on overnight trips where lessons come alive. Whether walking the monuments of Washington, D.C., visiting the United Nations and catching a Broadway show in New York, or exploring science and community in Virginia, these experiences spark curiosity, strengthen friendships, and give students new perspectives they carry back into the classroom.
  • Capstone Projects Capstone Projects
    During Capstone Week you’ll find students immersed in discovery—building rockets, curating family histories, and designing solutions to global challenges. With creativity and independence, they bring their studies to life through hands-on, interdisciplinary projects that celebrate both voice and choice. Capstone inspires students to think critically, connect personally, and apply their learning in meaningful, lasting ways.

CO-CURRICULARS

Everyone Plays, Everyone Shines

At Shipley, students do more than go to class—they get to explore what lights them up. Every student participates in sports, arts, music, STEAM, and more, which are all integrated into the school day.

With a no-cut policy across athletics and the arts, every student finds a place to thrive. Want to try squash or join the school play? You can. Prefer track, fitness, or backstage crew? We’ve got your spot ready. 

Students participate in after-school activities like Science Olympiad or Gardening, join service projects, and lead clubs. There’s room for every interest and ability. Because when students feel safe to explore and express themselves, they grow in ways that last well beyond middle school.

Exploration Everywhere

In Shipley's Middle School, opportunities to explore abound, and mentors to guide students are eager to open up worlds of possibility.

    • Athletics

      With the chance to try a new sport every season, Middle School athletes experience the joy of being on a team, developing skills and confidence as they compete against other schools.

    • STEAM

      Through hands-on projects in design, coding, robotics, and engineering, Middle Schoolers gain confidence as makers and problem-solvers. Using tools from 3D printers to laser cutters, they learn to dream, create, and inspire.

    • Music & Drama

      From choir and band to orchestra, percussion, and theater, students bring their talents to life through performance. With concerts, productions, and private lessons, they discover confidence, collaboration, and joy on stage.

    • Art

      All students explore their creativity through art, building skills in drawing, painting, and design. The program culminates in a vibrant Middle School art show each spring, celebrating imagination and expression.

    • Friday Clubs

      Weekly Friday Clubs spark curiosity and camaraderie, with options ranging from drawing and coding to Dungeons & Dragons and service projects.

    • After-School Clubs

      Beyond the school day, after-school clubs give students more ways to explore their passions—whether in the arts, academics, or hands-on activities.

    • Winter Musical

      Each year, students bring the stage to life in a full-scale musical, discovering the joy of performance, teamwork, and creative expression.

    • Languages

      Middle Schoolers study French, Mandarin, Spanish, or Latin, developing a strong foundation in communication and culture. By grade 9, most advance to second-year language study, prepared to thrive in global conversations.

CHARACTER EDUCATION

Celebrating Who You Are

Middle school isn’t just about what you learn; it’s also about who you’re becoming. That’s why we teach character development with as much intention as we teach math or writing. 

Our Pre-K through Grade 12 SEED (Social, Emotional, Ethical Development) program helps students build self-awareness, manage time and stress, and develop healthy habits. Students learn how to navigate friendships, advocate for themselves, and reflect on their values. They’re encouraged to lead, listen, speak up, and lift others as they grow. 

Here, students are seen, heard, and valued for exactly who they are. We celebrate each student’s individuality and help them develop the confidence to show up authentically, in school and beyond.

SEED: Growing Minds, Building Character

In Middle School SEED, students develop the skills to learn confidently, lead with integrity, and build strong, healthy relationships.

    • SEED Grade 6

      In sixth grade, SEED builds a foundation of self-awareness, responsibility, and relationships. Students explore executive functioning, study habits, academic integrity, and mental health while also practicing communication skills and beginning to take greater ownership of their learning.

    • SEED Grade 7

      In seventh grade, SEED expands students’ independence by blending academic skill-building with social-emotional growth. They strengthen research and study strategies while also exploring trust, honesty, boundaries, healthy relationships, sexual health, and the influence of technology and social media.

    • SEED Grade 8

      In eighth grade, SEED prepares students for the transition to Upper School by emphasizing leadership, values, and personal responsibility. Lessons include growth mindset, financial literacy, inclusion, drug and alcohol prevention, and goal-setting—equipping students with confidence and integrity for the years ahead.

ADVISORY

Support & Connection, Every Day

One of the most noteworthy things about Middle School at Shipley is our Advisory Program. Every student is part of a small group that meets twice a day—morning and afternoon—with a dedicated advisor who knows them, guides them, and becomes their biggest supporter. 

Advisory is where students check in, slow down, and connect. It’s a time for honest conversations, encouragement, and community-building. Whether celebrating a win, working through a challenge, or just needing someone to listen, students know they have a trusted adult in their corner.

Advisory: More than Homeroom

Shipley’s Middle School Advisory Program anchors each student’s experience, providing daily connection, guidance, and support that extend far beyond a traditional homeroom.

    • Community & Belonging

      Advisories foster a close-knit crew where students build trust, share experiences through Shipley Circles, and feel a genuine sense of belonging.

    • Guidance & Growth

      Advisors serve as the primary point of contact, supporting students’ academic, social, and emotional well-being while partnering with families.

    • Leadership & Reflection

      Through student-led conferences and meaningful recognition at 8th Grade Closing, students take ownership of their learning and celebrate personal growth.

OUR COMMUNITY

A Place of Compassion & Connection

At Shipley, students are never just a face in the crowd. We believe in compassionate participation, where every person has something to give and something to learn. And that’s important, because Middle School can be a whirlwind of emotions and changes.

Our weekly assemblies celebrate student work and milestones, and our “Five Minutes of Wisdom” moments from teachers and peers bring honesty, humor, and inspiration to all. Gator Games—our yearlong, grade-spanning competitions—build community, spirit, and friendly rivalry.

Students here form real bonds with each other and with the adults who guide them. They’re part of something bigger, and they know it.

Middle School Spotlight

Be Part of Something Bigger at Shipley

In Middle School, we’re not just preparing students for the next academic step—we’re helping them grow into the people they’re meant to be. Find out how: schedule a tour to explore what it’s like to be a Shipley Middle Schooler!
814 Yarrow Street
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010

Phone: 610-525-4300
Fax: 610-525-5082
The Shipley School is a private, coeducational day school for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students, located in Bryn Mawr, PA. Through our commitment to educational excellence, we develop within each student a love of learning and a desire for compassionate participation in the world.