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Grades 7 and 8

Two young women, one wearing a pink top and the other a patterned shirt, are standing in a classroom-like setting with shelves and colorful decorations in the background.

The program for Grades 7/8 fosters civic participation and leadership as critical components of our all-girls middle school education. Building on the excellent work done in the lower grades, we continue to support students as they develop their own voice and perspective through our commitment to our core values of collaboration, empathy, inclusivity, integrity and resilience. 

Students in Grade 7 assume increasing responsibility for their individual learning and contributions to the life of the school. The goal of the Grade 7 year is to solidify students’ academic, artistic, and athletic skills and interests; to deepen their love of learning; to enhance their appreciation for and understanding of the world beyond Nashoba Brooks; and to strengthen their voices. 

Our Grade 8 students approach the future with confidence and enthusiasm. They feel well prepared for their secondary schools and life beyond Nashoba Brooks. Grade 8 students are the leaders of our student body. During their Grade 8 year, students become more self-aware, hone in on their critical thinking and problem solving capacities, and become more reflective citizens. Their academic work allows them to consider the world outside of our School and the broader perspective helps to shape them as learners and leaders. 

A hallmark of these years at Nashoba Brooks School is the advisory program, which allows students to develop strong connections with faculty members who support students throughout their Grades 7/8 experience. Character education goals of autonomy, belonging and competence are woven into all aspects of the program; as well as our core values. All are integral in fostering strong community within the groups and in support of each student’s personal growth and excellence. Taking responsibility for oneself and caring for our community as empathetic leaders are vital aspects of the program.

Curriculum Highlights

C-SPAN StudentCam

C-SPAN StudentCam

During the winter term, Grade 8 students are tasked with creating a 5-6 minute documentary as part of the C-SPAN StudentCam national competition that encourages students to research issues that affect local and broader communities across the nation. Each year, this competition asks students to explore and analyze matters of personal, local or national importance by addressing a yearly theme. Thousands of middle and high school students from around the country submit entries, and Nashoba Brooks is proud to recognize our students who are annually awarded national recognition.

Throughout this project, students must demonstrate resilience through the completion of challenging research and filmmaking; collaboration through group work; and empathy, as they expand their knowledge to incorporate diverse viewpoints and opinions aside from their own. We are incredibly proud of our entire Grade 8 class for their incredibly hard work throughout this process!

 

National Latin Exam

National Latin Exam

Every year, our entire Grade 7 class takes the National Latin Exam (NLE) along with thousands of Latin students across the United States and the world. The NLE is an opportunity for students to stretch themselves and receive reinforcement and recognition for their progress with the language. Depending upon their score in relation to the national average, students may earn certificates and medals. Each year, we are proud of all the Grade 7 students for their hard work and effort, and we celebrate our certificate and medal recipients! Great work, Latin scholars!

 

Overnight at Chewonki

Overnight at Chewonki

To start the school year, Grade 8 students travel north to Camp Chewonki in Maine for four nights of camping and bonding. This trip has been a staple of the Grade 8 experience at Nashoba Brooks for nearly 50 years! The trip provides a place for the new Grade 8 class to come together, bond, and think about the year ahead of them. Chewonki is a transformational and valued experience as it launches our Grade 8 student leaders into a year of seeing new horizons, embracing new challenges, and discovering more about themselves and their strengths.

This I Believe

This I Believe

Throughout their last year at Nashoba Brooks, we balance a rigorous writing and research-based curriculum with developing tools for effective self-expression and reflection. In the fall term, Grade 8 students complete a writing project called This I Believe, which is an international organization engaging people in writing and sharing essays describing the core values that guide their daily lives. The project is based on the popular 1950s radio series of the same name hosted by Edward R. Murrow. Grade 8 students compose their own “This I Believe” personal narrative essays, describing the values that guide their daily lives and motivate them to pursue their personal goals.

 

  Sample Schedule

7:30-8:15

Optional enrichment clubs and groups (including: Nashoba Notes a capella group, Jazz Band, World Music Ensemble, String Chamber Ensemble, yoga, Youth In Philanthropy, Yearbook, and more)

8:00-8:25

Arrival and homeroom

8:25-8:40

Advisory

8:40-9:25

Musical Rehearsal (collaborative work in music and drama classes)

9:25-10:10

Musical Rehearsal (collaborative work in music and drama classes)

10:10-10:25

Outdoor snack and recess

10:25-11:10

P.E. (other specials include Art, Chorus, Health & Wellness)

11:10-11:55

Math

11:55-12:40

Science

12:40-1:15

Lunch and outdoor recess

1:15-2:00

World Language (students take both Latin + Spanish)

2:00-2:45

English

2:45-3:30

Study Hall

3:35

Dismissal

Students engage in each special listed above one to three times per week. Their core content classes meet daily. Not listed above, students in 7/8 also take Social Studies class an average of four times a week each trimester.

Grade 7/8 students are dismissed at 3:35 PM on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, and at 12:30 PM on Tuesday. The School offers a number of fee-based Auxiliary Programs after school that can run until 5:30 PM. 

Interscholastic athletics begin in Grade 5 and practice after school 3:35-4:55 on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Please see our Athletics page for further details about seasonal offerings.
 

Sample areas of focus:

  • How do theatre artists develop character, belonging, and community when working on a musical?

  • What influences how I perceive the world? How do social forces condition individual lives?

  • What are rational numbers, algebraic expressions and inequalities, Algebra and Geometry? What is a direct and an indirect proportion? 

  • How are current events connected to the (physical and human) geographical characteristics of places? What is our responsibility as global citizens? 

  • What are stereotypes in our society and how are they perpetuated in mainstream media and social media?

  • What is identity and why is it important? Where do I fit in and what do I believe? How does society influence our identity and the choices we make?

  • Why is Latin relevant today? How can we gain an understanding of the size of and diversity within the Roman Empire? How can we compare and contrast this with our own society and culture? 

  • How do we, as scientists, understand our universe? 

  • How can we best use technology as a resource and tool to demonstrate what we have learned?

  • How do we develop and express our voices?