Preparing students for success
Middle School is a time of big changes academically, physically, socially, and emotionally. At York Prep, we understand how important these years are as students grow from children into young adults, learning more about who they are and how they learn best. That’s why we’ve designed our middle school to be both supportive and challenging, meeting students right where they are and helping them build the skills and confidence they’ll need for high school and beyond.
With intentionally small classes and a 4:1 student-teacher ratio, our middle school creates space for strong relationships, personalized instruction, and a deep sense of belonging. Our program focuses on developing critical thinking, strong study habits, and a spirit of curiosity and collaboration. As students begin to take more ownership of their learning and grow more independent, they are guided by caring educators who know when to step in and when to step back.
Whether students are navigating a tough math concept, participating in a class debate, or learning how to work through conflict with a peer, they are gaining tools that will serve them for years to come.
A curriculum designed to motivate students
York Prep middle school’s curriculum goes beyond academics and supports children to explore the community around them. Rooted in skill-building, students create a toolbox of skills and strategies that support their executive functioning development and understanding of metacognition.
Grounded in a culture of warmth and care, students are taught how to build and sustain social connections, engage in community service projects, and interact with the greater New York Community.
Middle School Curriculum
English
In 6th grade, students engage with literature, and receive instruction in grammar, vocabulary, and writing.
Students focus on discovering common themes among different literary works, making connections between literature read in class and our society today. Students are guided through the writing process and develop skills for communicating effectively.
In 7th grade, students examine themes of identity. They are encouraged to discover their own voices through writing assignments and projects. Students gain understanding of how storytelling shapes people’s personal and collective histories.
8th grade focuses on character development, symbolism, themes, and other literary devices. Students read fiction and nonfiction, and are guided through notetaking, annotating text, and responding to literature throughout the writing process. Students think about main ideas, sentence structure, paragraph formation, and inference topics.
History
History in 6th grade is a survey of the people and places of the world with the purpose of providing a broad global overview.
History in 6th grade is a survey of the people and places of the world with the purpose of providing a broad global overview.
In 7th grade history, students study the early ages of human history through the dawn of modern civilization. Students begin in the pre-historic era with a look at human origins, examining with an “archaeologist’s eye view,” how humans migrated around the world and built societies. They explore the world’s first civilizations that developed in Egypt, the Middle East, India and China, concluding with an exploration of the classical societies of Greece and Rome.
8th grade history focuses on U.S. history, beginning with the establishment of the original thirteen colonies through the Reconstruction period after the Civil War. Students will examine the different movements and revolutions before the Civil War and their impact on the nation. Finally, they will study the causes and events leading up to the war, its importance, and the significance of Reconstruction.
Math
Math in 6th grade is a course of assessment for mathematical readiness and preparation for future mathematics, as well as expanding student knowledge of foundational concepts and procedures.
Students will improve their understanding of operations, data and graphs, patterns and variables, number theory and fractions, ratios, rates, percentages, numerical equivalency, equations and inequalities, geometry, integers, probability, and data analysis.
In 7th grade math reinforces middle school problem-solving concepts such as ratios and proportional analyses, operations with fractions, equivalency, geometry, and statistics while introducing the foundations of algebra.
8th grade math provides preparation for Algebra 1. Learners encounter the fundamentals of Algebra through middle school math concepts such as integers, rational numbers, the coordinate plane, proportionality, percentages, equations and inequalities, geometry, measurement, and statistics. Students learn the fundamentals of parent functions while improving numeric reasoning, cooperative learning, and real-world problem-solving methods.
Science
In 6th grade, students explore Earth Science, delving into geology, meteorology, astronomy, and environmental science, learning about Earth's dynamic processes and celestial phenomena.
In 7th grade, the focus shifts to life science, where students study genetics, human biology, and the diversity of living organisms through hands-on activities and investigations.
In 8th grade, students dive into physics and chemistry, exploring the properties of matter, laws of motion, energy transformations, and atoms, building a solid foundation for future scientific studies. Throughout all grades, we emphasize the development of scientific literacy skills.
In all grade levels, our students learn to read and interpret scientific articles, analyze graphs, and use evidence-based reasoning to draw conclusions. These essential skills prepare them not only for academic success but also for informed citizenship in a world increasingly shaped by science and technology. Middle school students will also have the opportunity to integrate these scientific concepts with math skills in their STEAM class each week.
Writing Studies
In 6th grade students learn core language concepts that will enhance their ability to effectively read and write at a developmentally appropriate level.
Targeted instruction for writing skills includes learning sentence level skills like incorporating conjunction words, appositives, combining and expanding sentences. Students will learn skills and strategies to enhance their written expression guided by methods from The Writing Revolution (Hochman, Wexler 2017).
In 7th grade, students master the concepts of key words and phrases, abbreviations, and symbols when annotating text, while also building on their sentence expansion skills. While mastering their sentence skills, students learn how to effectively use the SPO (Single Paragraph Outline) to plan and organize their writing for different text structures. As a skills-based class, students will become stronger readers and writers through the examination of expository texts.
In 8th grade, students prepare for high school using a variety of strategies starting at the sentence level and working toward multiple paragraph written compositions. Students master the concepts of key words and phrases, abbreviations, and symbols when annotating text, while also building on their sentence expansion skills to apply to written compositions.
Art
All 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade students receive classes in all 3 of the performing arts: Music, Drama, and Dance.
The programs include digital songwriting, choreography, dance performances, theater games, dramatic writing exercises, and dramatic scene work. All middle schoolers can perform in various school-wide events, including The Halloween Dance, and are free to audition for any middle or upper school performing arts productions.
Middle school art introduces the basic language of two-dimensional design through the mediums of drawing, painting and collage. The goal is to have a foundation level understanding of elements of design with assignments based on line, shape and mass, space, texture, color, harmony and variety, balance and rhythm, proportion and scale as well as composition.
The second year of this class builds on elements of two dimensional design allowing students to become comfortable using watercolor and developing composition. Perspective is also visited as students work from observation of life including the human form and use references to complete a variety of assignments.
STEAM
Have you ever wondered how we built the Brooklyn Bridge, sent a human to the moon, or how your Bluetooth speaker connects to your phone? Our weekly middle school STEAM class allows students to apply the skills learned in their math and science coursework to hands on projects and exploration.
Students will learn basic coding skills, the fundamentals of electrical and mechanical engineering and walk through the design process.
Spanish
In Spanish students will be introduced to the basics of communication and builds towards comprehension.
Grades 6-8 will have the opportunity to use the skills learned in class to communicate and develop proficiency in conversation, communication and basic storytelling by vocabulary building, grammatical structures, and conversational proficiency. In-depth studies on culture, beliefs and history are explored through readings, lectures, projects, field trips and guest speakers.
Physical Education
Sportsmanship, cooperation, and teamwork are at the heart of the PE department. In grades 6-8, the focus is on building appropriate skills for successful participation in PE.
Executive Functioning
Executive functioning skills are intentionally woven into every aspect of the academic experience to support student growth and independence.
Across all subjects, students consistently use planners, checklists, and graphic organizers. A single-paragraph outline for writing is implemented, helping students internalize a structured approach to written expression.
This integrated approach is further strengthened through collaboration with our Jump Start faculty—our dedicated learning specialists—who provide targeted support and partner with classroom teachers to ensure strategies are effective and accessible for all learners. By embedding these tools into daily routines, we help students build essential habits that set the foundation for long-term academic success.
Middle School Advisory
The focus of the middle school advisory program is on looking within to learn more about yourself as a learner and a citizen, building & sustaining social connections, community service projects, and on exploring and interacting with the community around York Prep.
Each grade level has a different central focus in their advisory class. These foci build on each other as students move through their middle school years, culminating in their final preparations for a smooth transition to the Upper School.
Built into the advisory program are opportunities for students to leave campus, explore their city, and build lasting friendships that go beyond the classroom.
6th Grade: Self & City
Self-Exploration: Students begin 6th grade by exploring who they are as learners and build a personal learner profile.
Student Reflection: Students reflect on how they learn best, which strategies help them learn effectively, how to communicate their learning needs to teachers, and to identify their strengths and challenges as a foundation for self-advocacy.
Community Participation: Through field trips and community events, students: explore the local neighborhood, develop a sense of place as New Yorkers, and understand their role and impact within the greater community.
7th Grade: Discovering Passions & Deepening Purpose
Deepening the Learner Profile: In 7th grade, students build on their self-awareness by setting personalized learning goals based on how they learn best. Advisors help identify gaps in skills and develop actionable plans to support growth.
Expanding Executive Functioning: Students continue to strengthen their executive functioning toolkit, developing strategies for organization, time management, and self-monitoring that apply across all subject areas.
Empowering Self-Advocacy: Through a dedicated self-advocacy curriculum, students learn to speak up for themselves and others in both real-world and digital spaces, preparing them to navigate life confidently in the classroom, the city, and online.
8th Grade: Leading by Example, Learning by Doing
Cultivating a Forward-Thinking Mindset: In their final year of middle school, students reflect on their skills, strengths, and passions to envision their future and begin shaping it with intention.
Engaging in Real-World Experiences: Students choose to participate in either a mini-internship or a service-learning project, gaining hands-on experience that connects their interests to potential future paths in high school and beyond.
Preparing for Upper School and Beyond: Advisors, in collaboration with the college guidance team, introduce students to resume building, goal setting for 9th grade, and opportunities for community engagement, equipping them to enter high school with confidence and clarity.
Electives
Students have the opportunity to explore their creative passions and try new things through a year-long, rotating arts elective program.
Dance
Music
Studio Art
Visual Art
Digital Art
Middle School Extra-curricular Activities
Come and discover York Prep
We would be delighted to have you visit our wonderful diverse school community in the heart of Manhattan.