Middle School
The impact of a Congressional education is perhaps most apparent in Middle School. Middle School students continue to use above grade-level texts, learn time management skills, gain self-confidence and ultimately are prepared in every way for quality high schools.
In Middle School, students move to separate classes for instruction by subject specialists. Middle School students continue to pursue accelerated curricula in math, science (laboratory courses), and English. All 7th graders take Algebra I and all 8th graders take Geometry I. Special events include a Science and Technology Fair, which features exhibits created exclusively in class, and a career fair where students learn about a diverse range of professions. Technology integration is achieved through project-based learning.
In language arts, students learn to apply and refine writing, critical thinking and analytic skills across academic studies. They also write original stories, poems and essays, welcome for submission to our literary magazine. Social sciences are studied in year-long themes: American history in 5th grade, world culture and geography in 6th, world history in 7th, and American government and the Constitution in 8th. In foreign language, 5th graders begin a four-year sequence in their choice of French or Spanish. Covering national culture, custom and history, as well as language, these language programs are considered the equivalent of two years of high school instruction.
Students entering the 7th grade have the option of taking Latin I, a two-year course in which students study the five declensions, read cultural and narrative passages, write guided compositions, and learn about the Roman empire and culture. During the 8th grade year, students participate in the National Latin Exam.
"The children at Congressional are the types of kids you want your children to hang around with. Parents have shared values and send their children to Congressional for similar reasons."
-- Daisy Bhagowalia