Program

Middle School (5-8)

Grades 5-8: Developing Student Voices

The Middle School years

are when young minds hone their critical thinking and analytical skills to make strong connections between their knowledge and the world around them.

Middle schoolers question, debate, explore, invent and engage with more depth. Students are ready to take on more rigorous academic challenges and more responsible leadership roles. The Graland approach guides them to learn how to navigate and self-advocate as they experience individual growth and maturity. These are children who graduate from Graland ready and prepared for high school.

Rise To Challenge

MESH
Math-English-Science-History

At the core of our Middle School program is MESH where students own their learning as they continue developing critical thinking skills to process and analyze increasingly complex information.

Math

Our math program is a well-articulated course of study that challenges students to build new knowledge through problem-solving, hands-on activities, and direct instruction. Graland uses Math in Focus curriculum, a Singapore Math approach, and guides students to confidently participate in mathematical discourse.

Science

Science is a cool, fun and interactive way to grow critical thinking skills as students examine the natural world. Our program encourages curiosity, creativity, leadership and risk-taking.

English

English students explore literature that expands their perpectives by analyzing, annotating and discussing written works. They develop persuasive and creative writing skills that allow them to articulately express their ideas.

History

A knowledge of history helps students understand how societies develop and evolve over time. By studying past and current events, they learn to be active thinkers who empathize with others and communicate their opinions competently.

Language

World language teaches listening, writing, speaking and reading skills, along with an appreciation for different cultures, preparing our French and Spanish students to test into upper level courses in high school.

Athletics

Athletics in the Middle School includes physical education in Grade 5 and team and sport teams in Grades 6-8. With all students participating on teams, we focus on teamwork, cooperation, sportsmanship and respect. Multiple options are available to students.

Arts

Music

Music students develop a range of skills in dance, songwriting, music tech, guitar and ukulele, world music ensembles, and vocal and music theater and focus on 21st-century musicianship & lifelong engagement. Students interested in band have the opportunity to take conservatory lessons and participate in before and after-school enrichment ensembles.

Visual Arts

Art instruction allows students to express ideas using various media as they broaden their range of skills and develop their talent. Graland artists go on to earn local awards, scholarships and national recognition. We inspire creativity!

Drama

There’s no such thing as stage fright at Graland! Our drama program explores still-image work, pantomime, Shakespeare, improvisation, sketch comedy, monologues and scene work as well as filmmaking. Drama and music often team up on musicals and other performances.

Character and Personal Growth

Students start each day in advisory, a small group of peers, where they have a place to make connections and build relationships. Meetings include announcements, greetings, meaningful conversations and an activity based on a topic such as acts of kindness, compassion and working together.

Wellness class covers a range of coming-of-age topics relating to the physical and emotional development of young teens. Students learn good decision-making skills and develop attitudes and beliefs towards a healthy lifestyle. With an emphasis on character development and ethics, they practice being respectful towards self, the community, and the world around them.

Innovation and Technology

A simple motto starts a year of discovery for inventors in the Gates Invention and Innovation Program: Tinker, create, innovate. Motivated middle schoolers have the opportunity to invent a new product and possibly earn a U.S. patent in a year-long program that leads with empathy.

Leadership and Citizenship

Middle School experiences become more impactful as students dive deeper into developing ideas and finding their voice. They grow into strong leaders and engaged citizens through public speaking, service learning and leadership roles on student council, service council, peer leadership, the buddy program, clubs and other opportunities.

More Choices for Discovery

Middle schoolers love choices! Trying new things and focusing on personal interests are themes that drive clubs. Faculty members lead clubs to share their passions and hobbies with students: Ukulele, sculpture, filmmaking, music studio, coding, show choir, TIDES, woodworking, choreography, graphic design... the possibilities are endless!

Our signature programs give students trips, traditions and service learning opportunities to look forward to and memories to last a lifetime.

Scroll through to take a peek at the Middle School journey

Math Cookies

Adjusting a cookie recipe's ingredients for various servings is a sweet lesson in multiplication and division, and cooking show skits demonstrate student work.
Cyanometer

For a lesson on data collection, students make their own cyanometers and use them to hypothesize why the sky’s color changes in response to different variables.
Filmmaking

Documentary filmmakers develop and create short films before screening them for an audience of their peers.
Liquid Nitrogen

Liquid nitrogen helps scientists understand the extreme temperatures in outer space following a debate on whether there is life on other planets.
U.S. Amendments

U.S. history students learn about constitutional amendments and head to the Gates Lab to design a creative project that represent their knowledge.
Recycled Cars

Scientists design creative vehicles from post-consumer materials in the annual Recycled Road Show. Go race!
Sheep Brains

Scientists learning about the effects of Alzheimer's examine sheep brains to see the concepts in real life.
Skype an Author

English students learn directly from book authors, like when they discussed setting and achieving goals with an author who was 13 when he became the youngest person to hike the seven summits.
Woodworking

Electives offer the chance for middle schoolers to learn new skills like woodworking. Many other choices from games to music to art and more are among the options each year.

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Middle School Curriculum

Our curriculum is comprehensive to educate the whole child and includes the following areas.

Math
English
Science
History
World Language
Trips

Wellness
Visual Arts
VAPA (Visual and Performing Arts)
Drama
Advisory
Signature Programs

Physical Education (Grade 5)
Athletics (Grades 6-8)
Clubs
Gates Innovation and Invention Program
Service Learning

Middle School Curriculum

Our Educational Approach

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Graland Country Day School

55 Clermont Street | Denver, CO 80220 | 303-399-0390

Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.