Middle School

The Montgomery Academy faculty and staff welcome you to The Montgomery Academy Middle School located on the Vaughn Road Campus.  The Middle School includes grades 5-8, with grades 5-6 modeled in part like the Lower School and grades 7-8 patterned like the Upper School.  Grades 7-8 are housed separately from Grades 5-6 to better facilitate the acclimation to more independence and responsibility that students must learn for the rigors of Upper School.  These transitional years are marked by significant changes in a student’s emotional, physical, personal, and intellectual growth, and the Middle School Faculty is trained extensively to address the diversity of the students’ learning styles, to foster the positive relationships so necessary for this age group, and to help students find a balance between structure and boundaries and their increasing need for independence.

Students in grades 5-6 have a block schedule and change classes during the school day.  In addition to their core subjects, they also during the course of the year have classes in Spanish, Latin, Computer, Drama, Music, and Learning & Life Skills.  A major focus of grades 5 & 6 includes writing, organization and study skills.  Grades 7 & 8 have the same rotating schedule as the Upper School.  Each subject is taught by a teacher who is specialized in the particular discipline.  Students begin formal study of a foreign language in 7th grade.  Writing, research, and good study skills are strongly emphasized, and basic computer skills, as well as knowledge of more advanced technology, are heavily integrated into the curriculum.  Seventh and eighth graders can choose from a variety of electives and extracurricular activities, including chorus, forensics, art, drama, computer, athletics, and community-service projects.  All middle school grades take numerous field trips that are part of interdisciplinary study units, such as the sixth grade trip to Jekyll Island and the eighth grade trip to Washington, D.C.

The success of the Middle School program is evidenced by numerous local, state, and national art awards; writing awards; recognition for community service; and the students’ outstanding record or recognition each year by Duke University’s Talent Identification Program.  The teachers of The Montgomery Academy Middle School have likewise been recognized with numerous awards, and several are noted presenters at state and national conferences.

Jerry Brewer
Middle School Director