Middle School Teams

The first year in Middle School is a pivotal time where students emerge from the Lower School to build strong academic and social-emotional foundations for years to come. RPCS provides a nurturing learning environment equipped with experienced faculty, a dean of students, and other necessary supports that empower fifth graders to rise to higher levels of responsibility, independence, and achievement while seeing first-hand that mistakes provide opportunities for growth. Herein students build strong habits and core skills that prepare them to engage successfully with rigorous academics, more complex social interactions, and leadership opportunities. Our program encourages students to follow their curiosities, develop their passions, and widen their perspectives as they begin to take their seats at a larger table where each young presence emerges into a more compelling, confident voice.

An overnight trip to Genesee Valley adds a greater sense of unity, cooperation, and spirit to our fifth grade class! While away, students experience multiple bonding exercises, including roasting marshmallows, hiking at night, playing flashlight tag, and dropping from a zip-line wherein fifth graders take on different roles and responsibilities to ensure each classmate’s safety.

Each spring, our fifth graders design elaborate projects for an annual Reading Fair held in our Faissler Library! After reading a book and exploring the storyline, themes, favorite characters, and more, students create a trifold and iMovie digital trailer to present to lower schoolers, families, friends, and the greater community! 

Towards the end of the school year, our fifth graders write and recite an original poem to classmates, faculty, families, and friends with topics ranging from childhood, pets, and sports to the wonders of nature and the loss of loved ones. 

Through wayfinding, our sixth grade students gain a sense of independence both personally and academically as they begin to develop a deeper connection to the larger world. This is the year we focus particularly on the RPCS core value to live healthy and be well. Sixth graders start the year with a roller skating mixer with other Baltimore independent schools as a way to connect with peers far and wide. They will end the year with an overnight camping trip to Echo Hill as a way to put their wayfinding skills to the test as they orient themselves by navigating new and different environments.

Taking those wayfinding skills that have been developed throughout the year, the sixth grade embarks on an annual camping trip to Echo Hill in the spring. In addition to learning about the Chesapeake Bay and studying trashology and aqualogy, the girls also "scanoe" (swamp canoe), go ziplining, and complete a ropes course, and trust exercises. They love trying new things, challenging themselves, and supporting their classmates during this much anticipated annual trip. 

In social studies class, students begin to find their way in the world by looking inwards to explore their own unique identity and culture. With this foundation, students then examine the daily life and culture of early humans, observing how they adapt, change, and modify their environment to meet their needs as they progressed towards building the first civilizations. Throughout the year, students gain a deeper understanding of how the history of human development and the environment are inextricably linked.

Every RPCS sixth grader takes a MindPrint Assessment at the beginning of the year to see exactly how they learn best. This hour-long assessment is a strength-based approach to intervention and acceleration that allows students insights into how they learn. It provides students and teachers a profile of each student's strengths and vulnerabilities so teachers can provide the tools and learning resources that allow them to flourish.

In the seventh grade, we focus on belonging, while teaching students increased self-advocacy. We have a curricular focus on identity and community and students are encouraged to take on student leadership roles. We also focus on social-emotional learning and how to work with others, as well as the core values of building each other up and seeking and embracing diversity. Students go camping at Calleva in the fall, and RPCS hosts the first area school mixer.

Every year, the seventh grade spends a few nights camping, bonding, and experiencing outdoor activities, such as paddle boarding, horseback riding, ziplining, completing a ropes course and more at Calleva. On this camping trip, our students push themselves outside of their comfort zones by overcoming challenges in an outdoor setting to gain confidence, resilience, and compassion. They also learn teamwork and leadership skills.

A favorite science project in the seventh grade is when students design and build their own air powered dragster racers. The students use engineering skills, such as problem solving, spatial awareness, and time management. They also apply many physics concepts, including Newton’s Law of Motion, energy transformation, and aerodynamic principles and then test their cars to see how fast they can go!

Whether hanging out and catching up with friends in the halls and outside courtyards, or participating in a wellness class, at RPCS we understand how critical a vibrant student life environment is for our girls. 

As leaders of the Middle School, our eighth graders are
challenged to answer the question: how will you create positive changes in the world? Through our eighth grade speech program, students use their voices to amplify their own research and understanding of important issues facing them as global citizens. Through this, the girls gain confidence in themselves and each other as they prepare for Upper School. 

During this important year in their leadership development, eighth graders serve in leadership positions in our student clubs and organizations. They learn how to internalize and synthesize new information to develop empathy that will allow them to lead for the greater good of themselves and their community. Eighth graders are encouraged to try out for leadership roles and activities, including starring in the spring musical!

The Eighth Grade Capstone Program is a wonderful introduction to The Gore Leadership Institute. It offers students valuable opportunities to gain real-world experiences by shadowing professionals in their fields of interest after conducting research and gaining background knowledge in that field. RPCS is the only school in Baltimore to offer this experience, and the students love learning more firsthand about medicine, law, finance, politics and more. They then present their findings at a showcase in the spring.

In eighth grade, the girls are offered the chance to become an Eighth Grade Singer in which they pursue this passion, develop their vocal skills, and learn how to harmonize as a group.  The Eighth Grade Singers perform at concerts and other events throughout the year.