Art
The Middle School Visual Art program fosters a sense of freedom and ownership, empowering students to control their workflow and engage in joyful making. Through three studio classes, students develop core skills in drawing, painting, and creative thinking.
Students actively create artwork by applying the 8 Studio Habits of Mind, allowing them to refine their unique ideas and artistic vision. The program emphasizes exploration, experimentation, persistence, and conceptualization.
Students work with core art media such as clay, pastels, and printmaking tools while also exploring digital media, animation, and mixed media.
Music
In Middle School Music, every class feels like a jam session, where students come together to play, create, and explore music in a collaborative environment. The program is designed to equip students with the skills needed to play the music they enjoy, taking a holistic approach that integrates performance, reading, composition, and musical analysis. Students learn basic song structures and develop foundational skills in playing the drum set, piano, and ukulele, as well as singing along to popular melodies. Their talents shine beyond the classroom through performances in the Winter and Spring Showcases, the after-school choir, and the annual Talent Show, giving them opportunities to share their musical growth with the community.
PE
Students in grades 5–8 participate in Physical Education (PE) twice per week, with the option to join after-school athletics. The program emphasizes sportsmanship, teamwork, and collaborative play while developing skills in a variety of sports, including soccer, flag football, and volleyball. Middle school students can also participate in organized after-school sports such as golf, indoor climbing, and cross-country, providing additional opportunities for athletic growth and skill development.
Spanish
Spanish courses provide a dynamic and immersive learning experience, enabling students to acquire the language through real-life situations. The primary goal is to develop confident communication while fostering an appreciation for the richness of Spanish as a global language, spoken by nearly 600 million people worldwide and over 50 million in the United States.
Students engage in listening, memorization, repetition, and conversation, developing higher-level thinking skills. Social and emotional relevance is emphasized through personalized learning strategies that connect language acquisition to students’ interests.
The Spanish 1 curriculum spans two years. In 6th grade, students use MAPAS 1A, progressing to MAPAS 1B in 7th grade. In 8th grade, students cover MAPAS 2A.
Heritage Speakers play a vital role as peer educators, fostering cultural understanding and enhancing classroom inclusivity. Their presence promotes empathy and collaboration while enriching the learning experience for all students. To ensure continued engagement, Heritage Speakers work on advanced grammar, writing, and literature, deepening their language proficiency.
Ultimately, the Spanish program not only builds language skills but also broadens students’ worldviews by highlighting the inseparable connection between language and culture.
Theater
The Middle School Theater program at St. Elizabeth’s School provides students with a comprehensive exploration of acting, screenwriting, and stagecraft, fostering self-expression and creativity.
The acting component introduces students to the fundamentals of performance while encouraging them to understand their character’s perspective as they prepare for a role. For those interested in screenwriting and stagecraft, the program offers opportunities to explore set, lighting, and sound design by engaging in the creative process of scriptwriting and technical production.
The program cultivates an appreciation for theater as an art form. As Oscar Wilde aptly stated, "I regard the theater as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being."
Middle School Clubs
At St. Elizabeth’s, middle schoolers have a variety of clubs to explore, each offering opportunities for self-expression, collaboration, and fun.
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Speech and Debate – Compete against other schools while developing public speaking and analytical skills.
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Newspaper Club – Unleash your journalistic spirit by creating and sharing stories that matter within our school community.
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Yearbook – Capture and preserve the unforgettable moments of the school year as part of the Yearbook team.
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Power Hour – Strengthen study skills, organization, and academic success in a supportive environment.
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Rainbow Alliance – Foster a sense of community, understanding, and acceptance for LGBTQIA+ students and their allies.
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Dungeons & Dragons – Embark on thrilling role-playing adventures filled with strategy and imagination.
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Math with a Pop & Literacy in Motion – Build foundational math and literacy skills through interactive games and movement-based activities.
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Black Girls Rock – Build community and address unique life experiences with other Black girls.
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Student Council – Hone leadership skills or work behind the scenes; Student Council is the place to make a difference.
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Snack Shack – Learn the basics of running a small business while satisfying your love for snacks.
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Book Club – Join fellow bibliophiles to read and discuss great books together.
More than just activities, our middle school clubs are pathways to discovery, creativity, and lasting friendships. Explore, learn, and grow!
