Middle School

The years from fifth grade through eighth grade are an important time for self-discovery. They are a time when students develop their interests, learn new talents, and face challenges that are unique to their age group. At Latin, middle school students are introduced to a world of new concepts and ideas.

Our middle school curriculum covers all the traditional core subject areas—math, science, English and language arts, social studies and language—but we use a range of innovative, creative ways to present the material. Middle school students learn best when they are engaged with the subject matter through concrete experiences like role playing, simulations, lab work or exploration outside the classroom. Dynamic discussions and interactive lectures are designed to relate to issues and ideas we know middle school-aged kids are thinking about.

I think Latin has one of the most challenging curricula out there, and one that helps my child reach her full potential as an academic and a person.

Take a look at Our Curriculum

Around the Middle School

Middle School Builder Day - Experience, Explore, Engage

What is Builder Day, you ask?
The middle school held an event in '17, '18, and '19 called "Builder Day." On that day, all middle school students signed up for 3 "not typically offered in school" classes during the first 3 blocks of the day. During these classes, students experience school in a different way, explore topics they're interested in, and engage in hands-on activities. Some classes offered in the past were "Intro to DJ'ing," 'String Art," "Button Design," and more. Classes were taught by 8th graders, US students, and fellow faculty members.

There are so many aspects of the Portrait of a Latin Learner that Builder Day embodies. Statements like, "Develop resilience by taking on new challenges and using mistakes to further their learning", or, "Use a variety of methods to creatively express themself to others" perfectly embody the work of Builder Day. I hope that events like Builder Day give life to the Portrait of a Latin Learner.

What did Builder Day look like this year?
This year, Builder Day was held on Friday, February 10. Students choose 2 classes from 21 different courses offered this year! Take a look at the offerings & descriptions here:

5th grade
6th grade
7th grade
8th grade

Academics
Features
middle school

2023 Math Contest - 8th grade team winner

Latin Math Contest: "Together we’ll be in 2023"

The 2023 Latin Math Contest: “Together we’ll be in 2023” was a success!

For the first time in three years, Latin's math department hosted the Middle School Math Contest in person on Saturday, January 28. A total of eleven schools from across Chicago competed in the annual contest. Wrigley Theater was full of students, coaches, and families for the awards ceremony.

Latin's middle school students performed extremely well with five teams earning team awards across all four grades and four students earning individual awards. The top three individuals and top five teams per grade receive awards. Congratulations Romans!

5th Grade Individual
1st Place Tie: Ivy
2nd Place Tie: Steven

6th Grade Individual
2nd Place Tie: Eli
2nd Place Tie: Ryan

5th Grade Team
4th Place: Math GOATs (Mia, Aarav, Ivy, Steven)

6th Grade Team
2nd Place: Root to Success (Ryan, Eli, Nivi, Sybella)
4th Place: Math Pi-Rates (Graham, Devan, Rudi, Nathan)

7th Grade Team
5th Place: Algebros (Kaitlyn, Sonya, Arlo, Milo)

8th Grade Team
2nd Place: Wait a secant (Jiaxin, James, Rohin, Ashym)

Academics
Around School
middle school

Endless options for learning in Middle School Science Olympiad Club

Watch and learn the different ways middle school students learn and explore in-depth topics in the Science Olympiad club.

Around School
Student Life
middle school

Alexander S. and Stella Tate R., middle school students heading to the ILMEA

Eighth Grade Choir Students Selected for Illinois Honor Choir

Eighth grade choir students, Stella Tate R. ’27 and Alexander S. ’27, were recently selected for the 2022 Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) District 1 Junior Chorus, an auditioned and highly selective honor choir.

Students went through a rigorous and competitive audition process where they sang different prepared selections as well as demonstrated their tonal skills and overall vocal tone with other middle school students in Chicago and most of the south and west suburbs.

This experience will culminate in a music festival that will take place on Saturday, November 5, at 3 p.m. at Lincoln Way Central High School in New Lenox, IL, where these two students will get to work with a fantastic collegiate choral clinician and sing with more than 250 talented students from over 60 surrounding schools.

Arts
Student Life
middle school

How We Approach Teaching and Learning

Middle School Director Deb Sampey talks about our energizing and demanding curriculum and how it prepares students for the rigor and challenges that lie ahead in high school.

our Curriculum

Middle School Virtual Tour

middle school students with Syrian Refugee project

When learning resonates with the students' own values and beliefs, the content is seen as relevant and tied to real-world concerns and projects.

Scratching beneath the surface of the syrian refugee crisis

Seventh grade students in the Global Perspectives course researched the lives of individual Syrian refugees and told their stories using a programming language called Scratch. The project takes users on the journey of a real-life Syrian refugee, the choices they face, as well as the realities of the refugee experience.

Students are well versed in the "power of yet" and the value in continuing to grow, defying expectations or limitations.

Latin should never change how comfortable it makes us feel. Which means that we aren't afraid to make mistakes.

I understood the value of this education first hand when I went off to college. My persistence and strong desire to learn and connect with my professors was a reflection of the close relationships I made with my teachers at Latin.

FAQ

How do Latin students respond to the arrival of new students?

Given that the school is academically rigorous, do you encourage students to participate in extracurricular activities such as clubs or team sports when school starts in the fall?

Absolutely, get involved. We encourage all students to join a co-curricular activity. The middle school offers a wide range of extracurricular activities with time commitments varying from once a week to daily. Students have time to make friends, pursue an interest, and exercise their mind and body and still do the homework. The new students who tend to have the easiest time adjusting to Latin are those who participate in after-school activities.

My child was moved ahead of his peers at his old school. Will you do the same?

Our goal is to keep students challenged in courses with their peers. The curriculum, pedagogy, and assessments are designed to challenge different kids at different levels with the same topics. Math is the one exception, and math ability groups begin in sixth grade. We are committed to the development of the whole child, and this is best accomplished when students are with their peers.

What are the extracurricular activities available to middle schoolers?

My child does not live in the neighborhood; will this have any impact on his Latin experience?

Latin's middle school strives to adopt the school-as-community-center concept. The building buzzes with kids from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. daily. Students are encouraged to utilize the many resources Latin has to offer before and after school, whether it is the cafeteria, library, or the common areas. Teachers often can be found meeting with students, playing a pick-up game of chess, watching a movie, or talking about yesterday’s game. Students are able to meet in classrooms or the library to work on group projects. The goal is to have all students feel like Latin is where they enjoy being before, during, and after school!