Middle School
Middle School is a unique and critical phase of brain development. It is a time to increase demands, while also offering support structures that allow students to develop autonomy, self-advocacy skills, and respect for other viewpoints. Our students learn how to ponder open-ended questions, listen attentively, disagree respectfully, and communicate effectively. By the end of their PCDS career, our Middle School graduates are academically prepared for the rigors of high school and beyond.
"The only way we can create global peace is through not only educating our minds, but our hearts and our souls."
–Malala Yousafzai, Activist
Our middle school students' day is a vibrant mix of engaged academic study and robust social interaction. With core subjects in math, English literature, social studies and science and enjoyable specialist classes in visual and performing arts, wellness (PE), and Spanish, our students are creative, bright, and curious.
We believe students should be active participants in their learning and our middle school achieves just that. Our students love coming to school because our skilled faculty make learning fun as they facilitate collaboration and robust thematic projects. As in lower school, these projects are often integrated across subject areas, so our students can experience the interconnectedness of our world firsthand. Utilizing discussion-based Harkness circles and the Socratic method of teaching, our students learn how to listen attentively, disagree respectfully, and communicate effectively.
View the full Park City Day School K-8 Curriculum Guide here.
Middle school parents can expect:
- A safe community in which each child is known and deeply respected and celebrated for who they are.
- A robust and highly-engaging academic environment.
- A commitment to meeting your child's academic and social needs.
- In-depth student-led parent teacher conferences and comprehensive narrative assessments, each twice per year.
- Regular home communications and online access to assignments and grades.
- A constructive partnership with the team of middle school core subject and specialist teachers, led by your child's advisor.
- A commitment to nurture and preserve a joy of learning and a love of school.
Middle school students engage in:
- An inclusive community based on individuality and mutual respect.
- Weekly check-ins with the class advisor.
- Daily core subject classes in math, English literature, social studies, & science.
- Specialist classes in Spanish, wellness, visual and performing arts, and quarterly electives.
- Critical conversations around concepts in DEIB.
- Weeklong outdoor education trips.
- Student-led social events such as dances and retreats.
- Round Square conferences, international exchanges, and service learning projects.
- House challenges with 8th grade serving as house captains.
- Close interpersonal relationships with peers and trusted faculty members.
- Mentoring & leadership opportunities through the buddy class program.
Fast Facts
- Middle school classes average 15-18 students per grade.
- We maintain a school wide student-to-teacher ratio of less than 6:1.
- 6th through 8th grade students remain in grade groupings for core subjects but intermingle for specialist classes.
- Each class has the opportunity for weeklong outdoor education trips in both the fall and spring.
- Our graduates are highly successful at their chosen high schools. We currently have graduates attending The Waterford School, Rowland Hall, Judge Memorial, The Winter Sports School, and Park City High School, among others.