Academic Program

The fifth-grade curriculum is designed to move students into the expectations, opportunities, and vision of Seabury Hall. Emphasizing interdisciplinary activities and carefully structured challenges that tap student interest and enthusiasm for learning, fifth grade lays the foundation for the major disciplines to be pursued throughout a Seabury career. 

In addition, fifth graders are encouraged to build essential study skills, including listening, note-taking, and organizational strategies. Each fifth grader is encouraged to develop skills for effective collaboration in a group situation. Similarly, the fifth-grade program invites students to build strong bonds with their peers, build relationships with faculty and staff, and invest in the culture and values of Seabury Hall. Fifth grade is purposefully designed to ease the transition into our sixth-grade middle school program. 

In order to establish a solid beginning, fifth grade uses standards-based grading on a proficiency scale. Through student-led conferences, each family will review a work portfolio and share their student’s strengths and areas for improvement. This allows the student to develop appropriate routines and foundations without the pressures of grades. 

While fifth grade is a self-contained elementary-based classroom, students also integrate into the wider Seabury Hall community. Fifth-graders actively participate in Assembly, Spartan Day, Winterim, and Athletics. Students also partner with older students for fun, mentorship, and collaboration. Fifth grade builds academic success and Spartan pride that will last a lifetime!

Typical Schedule:

Integrated English Language Arts and Social Studies

Math

Science

Music

Art

Physical Education/Health & Wellness 

STEM

As the entry-level experience, the sixth-grade curriculum is designed to move students into the expectations, opportunities, and vision of Seabury Hall. Emphasizing interdisciplinary activities and carefully structured challenges that tap student interest and enthusiasm for learning, sixth grade lays the foundation for the major disciplines to be pursued throughout a Seabury career. In order to establish a solid beginning, the first quarter is not graded. Although progress is documented and not reported we will have an extensive conference with each family to share strengths and areas for improvement. This provides the student with a period of time to develop an appropriate routine and foundation without the pressures of grades. An interdisciplinary learning portfolio completes the year, including a reflection evaluating the sixth-grade journey and establishing seventh-grade goals.

The seventh-grade curriculum reinforces the study habits introduced in the sixth grade and teaches students the basic ¨habits of thought¨ associated with the different disciplines they will encounter in their upper school college-preparatory program in a developmentally appropriate context.

The eighth-grade curriculum provides a transition into the upper school by reinforcing the fundamental skills and concepts necessary for success in Upper School coursework in all disciplines. In addition, a final synthesis of research skills is provided in the second-semester eighth-grade interdisciplinary project centered around a student's chosen subject of personal interest. This project is required for graduation from the Middle School.

Typical Schedule:

Sixth Grade:
Science
Arts Rotation (Music, Drama, Art)
English
Math
Geography
PE (General PE, Yogalates, Hula, Dance)
Technology Foundations
Communications

Seventh Grade:
Science
English
Math
Social Studies
PE (General PE, Yogalates, Dance)
Spanish Language and Culture
Elective #1
Elective #2

Eighth Grade: 
Science
English
Math
Social Studies
PE (General PE, Yogalates, Dance)
World Language (Hawaiian, Japanese or Spanish)
Elective #1
Elective #2

To earn a Seabury Hall diploma, students must obtain at least 26 credits. Each semester a student must carry a minimum of six classes (not including Physical Education), including a minimum of four classes in the following departments: English, History & Social Studies, Mathematics, Religion & Philosophy, Science, World Language, and Advanced Placement courses.

(Applies to Class of 2025 and beyond, for Class of 2024 other requirements apply)