Middle School
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The Middle School at Green Hedges, which comprises Grade 6 – 8, builds on the rich and challenging educational program in the Lower School while offering new experiences and learning challenges. The curriculum offer students exciting and rewarding opportunities to explore an expanding world of knowledge and perspective in all subject areas. Students draw on their accumulated knowledge and develop into sophisticated thinkers. The program is designed to address the specific needs demonstrated by middle school students, and consistent with research findings, our program promotes a sense of connectedness that is so important to young adults as they navigate adolescence. To ensure that students evolve into effective communicators, we place a strong emphasis on writing and public speaking. Of course, students also have plenty of opportunities to explore their emerging talents in the arts and athletics.
The Middle School is discipline-based with teachers specializing in their respective subjects and students moving from class to class across the day. To ensure continued adult advocacy and to support the students’ intellectual, social and moral growth, students work closely with grade-level advisors. Grade-level advisors also closely monitor and support student progress across all realms of school life and conduct parent-teacher conference twice annually.
Responsibility and independence are fostered through the rigorous academic program.
Experiential Learning
In addition to local field trips, the Middle School has expanded opportunities for experiential learning. The entire middle school participates in an off-campus “wilderness-style” retreat in September, Grade 6 explores DC over several days, Grade 7 visits Philadelphia, and Grade 8 takes on New York City. Additionally, there is an optional Spring Break trip for middle school students.
In recent years, travels have taken students on science excursions to Costa Rica and Puerto Rico, French and History immersion in Quebec City, Canada and for some good ‘ole fashion outdoor recreation on the slopes of Killington Mountain in Vermont. Further, each class participates in day trips throughout the year, taking advantage of the School’s proximity to the DC metropolitan area and all it has to offer. Author, artist, musician, storyteller and speaker visits to School round out the experiential learning experiences offered to students. “Trips have been one of the best opportunities I have had at Green Hedges – from Music in the Parks band trips, city trips to Philadelphia and New York or spring break trips to Quebec City, Canada and Killington, Vermont – they were all a blast and I have enjoyed every single one of them.” Gregorio Sapia, Class of 2011
Character Education Leadership Project (CELP)
CELP trains middle school student volunteers to work with younger students. The focus of these sessions is character development, with particular emphasis upon tolerance, empathy, inclusion, leadership and action.
The focus of these sessions is character development, with particular emphasis upon tolerance, empathy, inclusion, leadership and action.
Athletics
In addition to encouraging a healthy, active lifestyle, team sports foster social relationships, promote important lessons on sportsmanship and fair play and enhance school spirit.
While team sports are optional at Green Hedges, we encourage all students to participate, regardless of experience or level of ability.
Fall: Soccer, Cross Country (both co-ed)
Winter: Basketball (boys & girls teams)
Spring: Softball (co-ed)
Green Hedges School is a member of the ABC Athletic League of Greater Washington which is comprised of 7 area independent schools.
The interscholastic athletic program is held after-school from approximately 3:30 – 5:30 pm.
Band
Our award-winning band program strives to help students develop a sense of individual expressiveness, to encourage the development and enjoyment of espirit de corps through participation in the group; and to acquire knowledge of fundamental music theory concepts as well as music performance skills. All middle school students participate in the concert band while jazz band is an added elective. In addition to school concerts, the band performs at local venues throughout the year including, but not limited to the Town of Vienna Halloween Parade, Church Street Stroll, Book Fair Night at Barnes & Noble, Vienna Historical Society’s Walk on the Hill, and the Music in the Parks band competition.
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