Middle School Curriculum

How do you nurture a love of learning in middle-schoolers? Provide a curriculum that helps them make sense of their world. Give them assignments that involve technology, artistic creativity, and collaboration—and play to the strengths of different kinds of learners. Build up their skills and then ask them to show confidently what they know. The approach to teaching and learning in our Middle School emphasizes thematic grouping and the interconnectedness of disciplines, ideas, and phenomena. At Brimmer, we’re training our students to think about complex topics from a variety of perspectives and to demonstrate knowledge in many different ways.

List of 5 items.

  • Core Curriclum

    Integrated science classes give students a strong background in physics, chemistry, biology, and earth science. The math program advances through pre-algebra and algebra, where all Grade 8 students complete high school Algebra I. Our interdisciplinary humanities curriculum features the study of ancient and modern civilizations, related literature, critical reading, and creative and analytical writing. In World Languages, students may choose to study French, Spanish, or Mandarin Chinese.

  • Exhibitions

    Students in the Middle School regularly give exhibitions that demonstrate what they have learned in their humanities classes, such as the Greek Festival in Grade 6 and the Ambassadors for Social Change project in Grade 8.

  • Health and Wellness

    Physical activity, individual sports, and team athletic endeavors have benefits for the mind, the body, and the personal development of students. Grade 6 students participate in PE classes twice a week, and have the option to play team sports. Students in Grades 7 & 8 must play one season of a team sport. 

    Growth Education, which meets weekly in the Middle School, incorporates a character education curriculum with decision-making and problem-solving skills. Outside groups, like EducaHealth are also used to promote health, wellness, and positive peer relationships. Learn more about Health and Wellness at Brimmer and May.

  • The Arts

    Exposure to the arts, exploration of diverse cultures, and creative expression are important aspects of the Brimmer educational experience. All students in Grades 6-8 take classes in visual arts, music, and drama, while a variety of other learning experiences, in particular the humanities curriculum, integrates creativity.

  • Advisory Program

    Middle School students need engaging teachers. They also need supporters and advocates, mentors and role models. At Brimmer, the student’s advisor is all of that and more. Meeting with students weekly—with plenty of impromptu opportunities to touch base as well—the advisor is proactive in monitoring a student’s well-being and responsive to a student’s needs, academic or non-academic. Advisors meet with parents to review report cards, and they serve as the parents’ primary contact at the School.

Learn About Our Signature Programs

Our Signature Programs enhance the core curriculum and provide a multidimensional quality to student life. These programs include an experiential education component where students actively learn from direct experience. Teachers then instruct the students to use the experiences as a way to enhance their learning in the classroom.

Exploration Week

Exploration Week is a signature Middle School experience designed to take learning beyond the classroom walls. Through experiential learning focused on a particular city, students engage directly with the historical, cultural, scientific, and artistic resources available in our region and beyond. The week is intentionally structured to be developmentally appropriate, building students’ independence and confidence as they progress from local day-based exploration in Grade 6 to extended travel opportunities in Grades 7 and 8. This continuum of experiences also prepares students for future school travel programs in Upper School, such as the domestic and international Winterim offerings.
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Brimmer and May School

69 Middlesex Road
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
617-566-7462
As an inclusive private school community, Brimmer welcomes students who will increase the diversity of our school. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, or any other characteristic protected from discrimination under state or federal law, in the administration of our educational policies, admissions practices, financial aid decisions, and athletic and other school-administered programs.