Middle School
In Grades 7 and 8, we place a strong emphasis on foundational skill-building in literacy and numeracy and developing future- ready competencies like teamwork, problem-solving and innovative thinking.
Our Middle School academic programs extend beyond the Ontario curriculum and foster creativity, critical thinking, and a passion for knowledge. A continued emphasis on organization, time management, and study skills helps prepare learners for the eventual demands of Senior School. Hands-on and real-world challenges deepen systems thinking, problem-solving, and application skills while nurturing a joy of discovery.
Caring homeroom teachers, subject tutorials, peer tutoring, after-school study and explicit teaching of the ethical use of AI round out our programming for accelerated learning growth.
A Team Approach
Collaboration is key at Trafalgar Castle School. Our teachers and staff work together across all disciplines to ensure academic and social-emotional success.
Our School is small by design, which means that every student is seen, heard, and known. Our teachers and staff collaborate to support each student both inside and outside of the classroom.
Mathematics:
Our mathematics program is informed by research and pulls from influential leaders in the mathematics space like Jo Boaler, Marian Small and Singapore Math to thoroughly ground our students in the fundamentals of mathematics and better prepare them for higher learning.
Science & Social Science:
With frameworks of inquiry, design thinking, exploration, design and project-based learning, our Science and Social Sciences program builds each student’s personal understanding of topics through relevant, real-world learning and helps her apply her knowledge to new situations and challenges.
Robotics & Design Technologies:
Building upon Future-Ready competencies such as systems thinking, designing, critical thinking and innovating, Middle School students are empowered to conceptualize, experiment, and iterate technological solutions that address real-world problems. This course harnesses a range of robotics, including Lego Spike and Sphero, along with other applied technologies to broaden students’ coding proficiency. It emphasizes computational thinking strategies like algorithm debugging and exploratory learning in an environment where innovation and courage thrive.
English Language Arts:
Our English Language Arts program takes a researched approach to reading and writing and we integrate this scientifically-based research into our program and focus on explicit instruction around spelling, literature and vocabulary.
French:
French studies allow students to rapidly achieve levels of oral and written proficiency. Our French program is scaffolded to support students in being prepared for the globally-recognized standard set by DELF (Diplôme d’Etudes en Langue Française).
Integrated Arts
We believe in the transformative power of the Arts. Our Integrated Arts program, staffed by subject specialists, provides students with opportunities to develop their confidence, reflect on their evolving identities, and embrace the power of creation through instrumental and vocal music, drama and visual arts. We believe that the Arts are fundamental to each student’s emotional, social and academic well-being as they deepen relationships and build connections across the classroom, the school and the community. Our Arts program is also one part of Trafalgar Castle School’s strong STEAM program.
Health & Physical Education:
For Middle School students, we continue our robust physical and health literacy program that includes a low ropes program on our outdoor low ropes course.
Traf Steps:
Traf Steps, is designed for Grades 7-8 to develop readiness for Senior School and beyond. At the heart of Traf Steps is the emphasis on Social-Emotional Learning Skills. We believe that emotional intelligence is integral to academic excellence and wellbeing. Our program prioritizes key areas of conflict resolution, self-compassion, confidence and growth mindset to support students in navigating interpersonal relationships, managing their emotions, and facing challenges with resilience and adaptability. Traf Steps also focuses on essential academic learning skills. We equip our students with effective time management strategies, digital literacy, robust study skills and much more.
Traf Steps:
Traf Steps, is designed for Grades 7-8 to develop readiness for Senior School and beyond. At the heart of Traf Steps is the emphasis on Social-Emotional Learning Skills. We believe that emotional intelligence is integral to academic excellence and wellbeing. Our program prioritizes key areas of conflict resolution, self-compassion, confidence and growth mindset to support students in navigating interpersonal relationships, managing their emotions, and facing challenges with resilience and adaptability. Traf Steps also focuses on essential academic learning skills. We equip our students with effective time management strategies, digital literacy, robust study skills and much more.
Entering Adolescence is Tough; We Make it a Little Easier
The middle years are a time of social, emotional, physical and intellectual change. They’re also a time in which girls begin to explore different ways of being as they develop their personal identity and when values, beliefs and attitudes take hold.
Attention to the social and emotional needs of middle school girls is embedded in our Grade 7 and 8 program to ensure that learning and life skills extend beyond the classroom. Strengthening friendships, growing healthy life habits, developing future-ready competencies, navigating social media and AI and nurturing overall well-being are hallmarks of our program.
