Middle School | Cascades Academy

Middle school is a time of profound transition, where students journey from childhood to adolescence, moving from familiar elementary classrooms to a more dynamic and demanding environment. During these pivotal years, a supportive and engaging community becomes essential in helping students navigate the changes and challenges they encounter.

The right balance of academic challenge, experiential learning, and personal growth.

A Place for Everyone

At Cascades Academy, we create a culture where students feel safe, included, and accepted. Within this nurturing environment, our students learn, develop a healthy identity, and become their best selves. We approach middle school differently, ensuring these years are some of the most memorable and transformative in our students' lives. Every day is an opportunity for exploration, growth, and building lasting relationships.

Challenging Academics

Our students thrive in an inspiring and dynamic learning environment that challenges and supports them. Here, we prioritize active participation, accountability, student agency, and critical thinking. Our competency-based learning approach identifies key content areas and vital transferable skills, such as resilience, curiosity, and communication.

Our dedicated teachers emphasize deep learning through meaningful curricula and utilize a variety of innovative pedagogical strategies, including experiential learning, project-based learning, and interdisciplinary projects. By providing personalized feedback, we ensure students understand their learning journey and develop the knowledge and skills they need to succeed.

Advisory & Character Skills

Middle school students need to feel seen, heard, and appreciated. Through our advisory program, we encourage students to show up as their authentic selves in a safe, inclusive environment. Each advisor meets with their advisory group of 10-12 students twice each week. Through these weekly meetings, students develop their social emotional skills, digital citizenship, and have a chance to discuss the topics that are on their minds.

6th grade focuses on personal identity, 7th graders explore diverse perspectives, and 8th graders develop a sense of agency and take action in their world. In addition to these grade-level advisory themes, academic program, and experiential learning, our middle school program continually emphasizes and develops three main character skills: work ethic, growth mindset, and social responsibility.

Experiential Learning

Learning is most engaging when students learn by doing and are actively involved in their education. Our middle school program is designed to immerse students in hands-on, experiential learning that’s rooted in both classroom-based activities and experiences that extend far beyond classroom walls.

Some programming is woven into our weekly rhythm and others occur periodically throughout the year. By blending academic rigor with real-world applications, we ensure that our students develop a deep, lasting understanding of the subjects they study. This approach reinforces core academic concepts and fosters a love for lifelong learning.

English Language Arts

6th Grade / Theme: Personal identity

6th grade is an exciting time for students as they transition out of lower school to the beginning of middle school. During this transition, students become more independent and make choices for themselves as they explore their personal identity. In 6th grade, the English Language Arts curriculum is integrated into their Humanities class.

The 6th grade Humanities course focuses on the central theme of Who Am I? The course will contain short stories, novels, and writing projects related to this theme. There will be an integration of grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and reading skills in each unit as well as an interdisciplinary connection to other core classes.

7th Grade / Theme: diverse perspectives

7th grade is a time for growth in the middle school as students continue to establish their personal identity while exploring their role in the larger world. During this time, students question the way things are in the world and feel empowered to make changes. The English classroom will reflect the passion that middle school students have for making a difference and focus on a central theme of Growth, Change, and Conflict. The course will contain short stories, novels, and writing projects related to this theme. There will be an integration of grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and reading skills in each unit as well as an interdisciplinary connection to other core classes.

8th Grade / Theme: Social responsibility & taking action

8th grade is an important year for students to explore their personal beliefs. Students are influenced by a number of outside factors. Literature and class discussions serve as outlets for addressing those factors while helping students establish a sense of personal responsibility, especially in making decisions. The English course will reflect this important year of adolescence and focus on a central theme of Social Justice. The course will contain short stories, novels, and writing projects related to this theme. There will be an integration of grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and reading skills in each unit as well as an interdisciplinary connection to other core classes.

Math

Our middle school math program acknowledges students' individual learning by providing courses that move at different paces. All middle school math courses are aligned with national standards, but beginning in 7th grade, students are placed in a course that matches how they best learn mathematical concepts. We strive to achieve a balance between inquiry and project based learning, direct instruction, and computational fluency.

math 6

The 6th grade math course solidifies and reinforces the arithmetic skills and number sense developed in previous years. With these foundational skills in place, students transition from the concrete mathematics of elementary school into abstract concepts. This course is designed to be a bridge from elementary mathematics to more complex and abstract reasoning through the use of problem solving strategies, recognition of patterns, and application of mathematical principles.

math 7

Math 7 follows a developmentally appropriate pathway which takes concepts from concrete to abstract. Concepts like unit rate and ratios are extended to proportional relationships and linear equations. 7th grade students learn fundamental algebra skills such as solving equations and writing expressions, and they develop their algebraic reasoning skills through geometric and statistical applications. Students who complete Math 7 matriculate to Math 8 in 8th grade.

Math 7/8

For 7th grade students who assimilate new skills and concepts quickly, the Math 7/8 course combines the entire Math 7 and Math 8 course into one school year. This course moves quickly through content and requires a strong commitment from students who love math and will work hard to compress two full years of content into one year. Students who successfully complete Math 7/8 are placed in Algebra I as 8th graders.

math 8

The Math 8 course is the final course in the standard middle school course pathway and offers students a combination of algebra, geometry, and statistics in preparation for high school mathematics. Topics include linear equations, radicals and exponents, functions, volume of solids, and interpreting bivariate data.

algebra 1

Students who completed Math 7/8 as 7th graders, will take Algebra I as 8th graders. Algebra I is a rigorous, high-school level course, which among other topics, includes functions, polynomials, quadratics, inequalities, vectors, matrices, and systems of equations.

Science

6th Grade / Earth Science

This Earth Science class covers the sciences of geology, meteorology, ecology, and oceanography. The course emphasizes inquiry-based research and laboratory activities, independent projects, and the use of a field journal.

7th Grade / Physical Science

This science course is one of exploration, appreciation and understanding of life processes. We study ecology, evolution, plant biology, zoology, cell biology, genetics and human anatomy and health. Students learn to solve problems using the scientific method, with a focus on inquiry-based research projects and outdoor observations.

8th Grade / Life Science

This class includes a study of astronomy, physics, and chemistry and seeks to explain the properties of matter and energy and how they interact. Classroom activities are augmented with field trips, laboratory investigations, and the use of a laboratory/field notebook.

History / Social Sciences

Throughout their middle school social studies courses, students are introduced to various historical themes, such as power and authority, revolution, exchange, cultural interaction, economics, and exploration to gain perspective on these early historical periods and to identify what these ancient cultures offered to the contemporary world. Students also examine how historical patterns relate to the five themes of geography (location, place, movement, region, and human-environmental interaction). Students are introduced to a wide variety of historical thinking skills, from distinguishing between past, present, and future time to comparing historical narratives to distinguishing between historical fact and fiction. Student learning is assessed using a variety of methods including traditional testing, oral argument, multimedia presentation, dramatic performance, speech and a variety of projects that incorporate course content and skills.

6th Grade / Ancient World History and Social Sciences

As part of their 6th Grade Humanities course, students develop reading, writing, and research skills as they explore a historical chronology beginning with the Paleolithic period and progressing up to the Middle Ages.

7th Grade / Modern World History and Social Sciences

Students in Year Two of the History and Social Studies series take on modern history by way of exploring a historical chronology beginning with the Italian Renaissance and progressing through the Russian Revolution.

8th Grade / Global Geography and Social Sciences

Students in Year Three of the History and Social Science series explore a range of topics related to Global Geography. The significance of geography lay not in the mere rote memorization of the place-names on a map of our nation or even the world. The significance is in the fact that it is nearly impossible to find any academic, real-world, or fantastical discipline that does not have a geographic context. Through the large scale themes of place, location, human-environmental interaction, migration and regions, an inquisitive mind can format some essential questions that illustrate strong connections between the curriculum and the real world.

Spanish

6th Grade / Spanish 6

Students are exposed to the Spanish language in this highly interactive class. Students build a solid foundation of basic listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills and are exposed to the cultures of Spanish-speaking people. Besides providing instruction in the use of the present tense in the Spanish language, students also become familiar with common functional vocabulary and expressions. Games, short dialogues, plays, and short writing activities complement conversation and formal instruction. Sixth grade students become more capable of grasping more complicated grammar and vocabulary as these concepts are introduced as the year progresses.

7th Grade / Spanish 7

In this course, students begin a more structured study of the Spanish language as they continue to learn the present tense. Building on the basic skills learned in sixth grade Spanish, students learn words and phrases useful in market, restaurant, and social situations. They also converse about traveling, chores, feelings, food, health, and nutrition. Major projects include designing a travel guide for a Spanish-speaking nation and creating Public Service Announcement about healthy lifestyles. In addition to the textbook, many audio-visual resources enhance the instruction in this class.

8th Grade / Spanish 8

In this course, students continue the study of the Spanish language, especially using verbs in the present tense. Using skills learned in 6th and 7th grade Spanish, students practice shopping vocabulary and buying and selling vocabulary. The students begin the study of the past tense through the themes of vacations and modes of transportation. The curriculum continues to reinforce the past tense and expands into ER and IR verbs and explores themes of television, movies, computers, and communication are presented.

IDEA Lab

The Middle School IDEA Lab is both a physical space and an academic course. The IDEA Lab is a hub of student creativity, which, over the three years of middle school, introduces students to a wide range of skills and technologies. At its heart, the IDEA Lab is a maker space–a place full of materials, tools, and technology that enables students to express their creativity and develop their capacity as makers. Additionally, the IDEA Lab course builds students’ STEM skills by weaving in science, technology, engineering, and math skills into the projects that students complete each year.

6th Grade Projects

Design thinking
3D Modeling and 3D printing
Augmented and virtual reality
Automata and mechanical engineering
Physical computing with micro:bits
Laser engraving
Game design

7th Grade Projects

Design thinking
Architecture
Electrical engineering and soldering
Coding and computational thinking
Battle bots
VEX robotics
Digital design and fabrication

8th Grade Projects

Design thinking
Digital design and fabrication
Laser engraver/cutter, 3D printing
Aruduinos and physical computing
Drones
Computer science
Woodworking
Graphic Design

Expedition

Expedition is a common block of time when all middle school students are effectively brought together to explore the opportunities inherent in the experiential realm. Our middle school Expedition blocks are used for students to plan and prepare for their fall and spring Traveling School trips. The lessons and activities during Expedition help allow students to deepen their knowledge and develop their skill sets prior to their travels. At other points in the school year, students are able to choose from Expedition options including: rock climbing, welding, robotics, environmental and social impact projects, mountain biking, hiking, and paddling. During the winter months, we use Expedition time for our winter sports program and ski and snowboard at Mt. Bachelor every Thursday from January to March.

Confluence and Traveling School

Confluence
Each year, our academic year launches with a three-day, overnight orientation program set in the beautiful Central Oregon wilderness. As we are each individual rivers merging for the new year, Confluence is designed to establish community norms, build trust, and open the school year with a strong sense of unity.

Traveling School
The Cascades Academy Traveling School Program includes two annual immersive experiences that transport students throughout the northwest and the world. Traveling School experiences are rooted in immersion. Students are steeped in new landscapes, new cultures, new experiences, and new friendships. When students are exposed to the unfamiliar within a small, supportive group of classmates and faculty they are more likely to lean into challenge rather than shrink from it. Such off-campus programming therefore facilitates growth. Students often return with a new sense of self, a broadened sense of the new places, and a richer understanding of the cultures that inhabit it.

In the fall, Traveling School is intentionally integrated into the academic curriculum so as to deepen students understanding of content and expand their ability to interact with subject matter. In the spring, Traveling School is designed to focus on the school’s core values and advance our social emotional learning curriculum.

8th grade project

The 8th Grade Project requires graduating middle school students, under the guidance of a mentor, to develop a project of their own design to be presented orally during graduation week to the greater Cascades Academy Community. This right-of-passage can take myriad forms and can draw from a host of inspirations, whether formally academic or otherwise. This project is carried out as part of the History and Social Studies classes in the Middle School. Recent examples have included developing an art show and donating the proceeds to a charity in Uganda, learning about solar energy and volunteering with an installation project in at Casa Chapi in Peru, and learning construction in order to build a treehouse.

Clubs

Middle school clubs are offered during the school day, and students are able to choose from options that include:

Eco-club
Chess Club
Dungeons and Dragons
Disc Club
Social Justice Club

We adjust our club offerings each year based on student interest. Clubs take place during the end of the school day each Friday and are an opportunity for students to pursue interests outside of the regular academic and experiential curriculum.

The Arts

Athletics

A Day in the Life of a Cascades Academy Middle Schooler

The weekly schedule for middle school students is packed full of a mix of traditional academics, hands-on experiences, and freedom of choice in electives, arts, and clubs. In addition, middle school students enjoy some of the hallmarks of our program that go beyond typical seat time, such as:

Expedition: 3 1/2 hours per week for off-campus adventures, community outreach work, and the winter sports program
Advisory: Dedicated time for connection with teachers, social-emotional learning, and academic support
Prep Time: Time set aside 4 days per week to work on assignments and reduce homework load

Sample 7th Grade Schedule

Time	course
8:30-9:20am	Math
9:20-10:10am	Science
10:10-11:00am	English / Language Arts
11:00-11:45am	Lunch & Recess
11:45-12:35pm	Spanish
12:35-1:25pm	Social Studies
1:40-2:20pm-	Advisory
2:20-3:00pm	P.E.
3:00-3:45pm	Prep

Profile: From Big Ideas to Fresh Greens

A spark of curiosity grew into something much bigger when middle school students researched, designed, and built their own hydroponics system as part of a cross-disciplinary Expedition. With herbs and greens thriving and many hands maintaining, the project is a living example of student-driven learning, sustainability, and creativity in action.

Read the Story