A GREAT MIDDLE SCHOOL

Middle School is an opportunity for students to explore new ideas, develop friendships, prepare for the challenges of high school and college, and discover their unique talents, attitudes and abilities. Spring Hill School is a great place for these transitional years. Our differentiated program is nationally recognized for its integration of challenging academics, hands-on learning, leadership training and outdoor educational opportunities. We offer an array of individual and team sports, arts, languages and personal attention to each student.
 
At Spring Hill, students have opportunities for learning and personal growth:
 
Individual Attention
Our classes are small and teachers know each student.
 
Expansive Curriculum and Facilities
Our students take full courses in the arts, physical education, world languages, and computer science— along with their other academic subjects. Many courses integrate multiple subjects as well as research, writing, public speaking and critical analysis.

   Language Arts & Social Studies

   Math Curriculum

   Science Curriculum

   The Arts & Languages

Field Trips, Hands-on and Outdoor Learning
Education is built on inquiry-based learning in our classrooms. We utilize our campus, as well as surrounding facilities including tennis courts, the beach, Pacific Edge climbing, state parks and more.

Annual Trips
This year, as in previous years, the school year began with a three-day bonding trip to Pinnacles National Monument. 7th & 8th grade trips are varied from year to year with a visit Washington DC, The Channel Islands or Catalina. For the 2012-2013 School Year, the middle school students will be traveling to Oregon to attend the Ashland Shakespeare Festival.

After School Activities
We offer an array of activities, including our Team Sports, Rock Band, Typing Class, Middle School socials, and more.

Preparation for High School and College
Upon graduation, Spring Hill Middle School students are well prepared and confident. Students are accepted into outstanding high school programs and honor programs including Georgianna Bruce Kirby Prep School, Bellarmine College Prep, Archbishop Mitty, York Academy and The Math Academy at Santa Cruz High. 

Middle School Math

At Spring Hill, mathematics is an extremely interesting and exciting pursuit. At the Middle School level, students have the opportunity to reinforce and extend their understanding of concepts learned in previous mathematics courses as well as to learn more sophisticated skills.

Throughout each course, emphasis is placed on the processes used to find solutions, not just on the solutions themselves. It is necessary to learn different problem solving strategies and to be able to explain the methods used to find solutions to problems both in oral and written form. Mathematics is a skill that requires practice. Also, students have opportunities to apply mathematical knowledge and skills to real life situations.

Students primarily work together in groups with the teacher discussing new mathematical ideas. Together through discussion and examples, concepts are developed. The end result is a thorough understanding and better retention. Students also meet with study groups outside of class. Working together is a more efficient and meaningful way to learn difficult mathematics. Students are still expected to demonstrate individual mastery on quizzes, tests, and their portfolio.

7th Grade Marine Ecology

The 7th grade Marine Ecology class consists of a brief history of Marine biology, learning about the sea floor and its topography, and the chemical and physical properties of the ocean such as sea water, ocean circulation, waves, and tides. Various marine communities, including benthic communities, intertidal communities, coral reefs, and pelagic communities are then explored. Primary producers and the major factors that shape the pattern of marine primary productivity are examined. A survey of the nekton including fish and mammals are discussed in great detail. Throughout the class, time is devoted to understanding the effects of the human presence upon the marine ecosystem, including fishing and pollution.

Experiments, demonstrations, and discussions form the basis of the daily classes, with an emphasis on developing mastery of content as well as scientific inquiry skills. Guest speakers and field trips are an integral part of the class. The year ends with a class trip to Catalina Island Marine Institute.

8th Grade Physics

The 8th grade Physics course at Spring Hill School revolves around the lab. Physics is a science that is best understood by doing - asking questions, performing procedures, collecting data, analyzing data, answering questions, and thinking of new questions to explore. The labs that are presented to the students all have a purpose, and perhaps a question.

Students write down the Title and Purpose of the lab as the teacher discusses the question and introduces the big idea. The means by which the equipment can be used is discussed (especially if it is equipment which is unfamiliar to students) and the information which must be in the lab report is also discussed. From that point on, students are on their own - devising a procedure which is capable of answering the question posed in the Purpose. All observations, data, calculations, and graphs are organized by the student in their lab notebook. Their conclusions and discussions answer the question posed in the Purpose and cite the evidence from the lab which supports those conclusions.

In this manner, students learn how scientists work - how they control variables, make alterations of procedure, repeat measurements, organize data, analyze data, compare data with other scientists, display the results and report the findings. They also gain a much deeper understanding of the physics concepts.

Important resources for the class include:

            The Physics Classroom – physicsclassroom.com

            The People’s Physics Book by James Dann

            Conceptual Physics by Paul Hewett

            The Cartoon Guide to Physics by Larry Gonick