Our Middle School Academic Program
“We prepare students to take ownership of their learning through personalized support and a focus on social-emotional growth.” —Jess Chambers, Middle School Education Head
The middle school years are a time of profound growth—a time when students go through significant developmental changes that affect their emotions, cognition, and behavior. Middle school students need the compassion and customized curriculum West End Day School provides more than ever. Our holistic program builds upon our strong foundation of social-emotional support and customized academics, with an even greater focus on the executive functioning and self-advocacy skills that lead to success.
Ours is a middle school where no student “falls between the cracks,” feels lost, or is forced to sink or swim. Instead, every aspect of our program is designed to empower students with the skills and confidence to thrive as independent, lifelong learners.
What you can expect from West End Day School's Middle School Program:
- A highly personalized learning environment with small class sizes that allow for plenty of individual attention
- Small-group instruction for core academic subjects, designed to challenge and support each student’s unique strengths and needs
- A curriculum that evolves with our students, meeting the needs of our bright learners with diverse learning styles, including those with ADHD, executive functioning challenges, mild-to-moderate learning disabilities, dyslexia, and anxiety
- A greater emphasis on executive functioning, social-emotional learning, and self-advocacy to help students navigate the increasing demands of middle school
At West End Day, our middle school students don’t just learn—they grow into confident, capable individuals ready for the next step in their education and beyond.
STEM
Our STEM program centers on inquiry-based learning in which students explore scientific and mathematical concepts—cell theory, evolution, geology, and engineering design, to name a few—through collaborative, hands-on projects. Designed to develop their critical thinking skills, these projects and experiments sharpen students’ ability to ask questions, analyze data, and apply science and engineering practices.
LITERACY
Our literacy program encourages students to engage with novels and advanced texts that align with their personal interests, building confidence—and joy in reading!—through structured guidance. Students develop strategies to identify key themes, analyze plot structures, and evaluate texts critically. By mastering skills like inferencing, predicting outcomes, and analyzing cause and effect, students gain independence in their reading.
WRITING
Our writing program follows the Basic Writing Skills Curriculum, emphasizing clear communication and well-structured compositions. Students learn to develop strong thesis statements, write summaries, and critique texts effectively. As they progress, they strengthen their ability to support arguments with evidence and organize their ideas logically. Our structured approach empowers students to become more independent in their writing, helping them tackle more complex tasks with confidence and clarity.
MATH
Middle school is a transformative time when students have the opportunity to build a strong foundation in math and develop a positive mindset about their abilities. Our Math & YOU curriculum fosters a love for the subject by connecting concepts to students’ everyday lives and progressing at each student’s individual pace. The program also emphasizes executive functioning skills by taking a step-by-step approach to problem-solving, with increased independence over time. Students learn how to break down problems, stay organized, and approach complex concepts with confidence, preparing them for continued success in math and beyond.
HISTORY
In our history program, students explore the fascinating narratives of the United States and New York State, studying everything from Native American cultures to the evolution of the U.S. Constitution. Through inquiry-based projects, students practice their planning and organization skills while learning to think critically about historical events. Engaging with topics like the American Revolution and Civil War, students are encouraged to think independently and make connections between past events and contemporary issues.
