Middle School

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Middle School

An Experience That Sparks Intellectual Growth

TVT Middle School allows students to discover, explore, and pursue their academic and personal passions. Students thrive under the guidance of inspiring teachers they admire and respect. In grades 6–8 they learn what it means to have good character and a strong Jewish identity through meaningful service learning, experiential classes, and a balance of intellectual curiosity and moral conviction.

In Middle School, students are encouraged to take risks, make mistakes, and learn from the process. Through an innovative curriculum that connects meaningfully to their lives, students develop strong character, deepen their Jewish values, and prepare with confidence for the transition to high school.

Josh Adler, Middle & Upper School Division Head

Student-Driven Clubs

elevate each student’s co-curricular experience

Grade-Level Retreats

to begin the year building shared connections and experiences

Innovative Electives

including courses such as foundational engineering and broadcast journalism

Inspired to Learn, Grow, and Pursue

Engineering & Design Foundations

Students apply design principles, prototype ideas, and iterate on solutions as they develop practical problem-solving skills grounded in real-world challenges.

Multiple Math Pathways

Three distinct levels and targeted enrichment ensure students are challenged at the right level while growing confidence and mastery in essential mathematical concepts.

Hands-On Scientific Discovery

Inquiry-based labs invite students to experiment, observe, and draw conclusions that build scientific reasoning and spark genuine curiosity.

Project-Based Learning Across Disciplines

Through collaborative, multidisciplinary projects, students research, design, build, and present solutions that deepen understanding and foster creativity.

A Real Impact

R.E.A.L.® Discussions help students think critically, listen respectfully, and engage with diverse perspectives around meaningful, real-world topics.

Classrooms That Come to Life

The Middle School space is lively and transcendent. Our 7th graders grow their own plants, pollinate them with campus bees, and host a schoolwide plant giveaway. Leadership classes learn about food pantry operations, participate in a weeklong food drive, then visit and volunteer at the local food pantry. TVT students go all-in in all they do.

Jewish Values Fortify Deep Purpose

Jewish practices are integrated into learning, fostering values of intellect, compassion, and community. Middle School students become mensches and mentors to the younger grades: 6th graders lead the Simchat Torah schoolwide festival, and the 8th grade leads the Middle School Yom Hazikaron assembly.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Inquiry & Innovation
Middle schoolers sharpen their thinking by asking complex questions, testing ideas, and engaging in thoughtful discussion across subjects. Whether analyzing ethical dilemmas in the humanities or revising an argument based on new evidence, students learn to defend their thinking, consider multiple perspectives, and grow through inquiry. Learn More
Visual & Performing Arts
Whether learning to play music, make a film, or create a piece of visual art, the discipline of taking an idea to its artistic conclusion is vital. Middle Schoolers are challenged at all skill levels through trial and error, collaboration, revision, and execution. Learn More
Engineering & Computer Science
The Middle School Engineering and Computer Science program offers students three highly preparatory electives to choose from: Introduction to Engineering and Programming; Engineering Design and Modeling; and Physical Computing and Robotics. Learn More
Mathematics
As our Middle School students learn complex math skills like number theory and algebraic reasoning, they are working together to troubleshoot and find solutions. Thus, both their analytical and teamwork skills are strengthened, preparing them for a future of solving problems together. Learn More
Experiential Learning
Middle schoolers begin the year with three immersive retreats designed to build connection, confidence, and independence. Through shared experiences beyond the classroom, students strengthen relationships, reflect on personal growth, and develop leadership skills that support their academic and social development. Learn More

Middle School Course Catalog

THE MIDDLE SCHOOL EXPERIENCE

Clubs for Any and Every Interest

Interested in cleaning the beach? Learning about financial planning and investing? Watching and reviewing films? Yep, there’s a club for that. From Science Olympiad and Debate to Pickleball, TVT clubs reflect a wide range of interests. And if a student has an idea that doesn’t yet exist, they’re encouraged to start something new.

Athletics

The teamwork, resilience, and leadership that are cultivated through TVT athletics are inimitable; our goal is to develop positive role models, leaders, and citizens on and off the field. Whether classmates are cheering on the volleyball team in the CIF championship, or the Upper School basketball team presents to the Middle School during Kabbalat Shabbat, all students are included in TVT athletics and encouraged to try any and every interscholastic endeavor they are interested in.

Service and Tikkun Olam

The value of service and what it means to repair the world are best taught in practice. Shared experiences outside the classroom help students understand what it means to take responsibility for repairing the world. During dedicated tikkun olam days, students work together to create dog toys for local animal shelters, assemble skateboards for foster youth, and sew challah covers for community members in need.

photo of middle school students teaching/guiding Lower School students

Leadership in Practice

Our Middle School students forge meaningful connections with Lower School students, mentoring the next generation of TVT learners in their classrooms and through personal relationships. Students in grades 6–8 read Judaic books, teach lessons in altruism, and serve as inspiring role models and trusted friends to our youngest learners, creating a powerful legacy of leadership and care.

photo of guidance counseling lesson or students moving and learning together

Prioritizing Health and Wellness

These years are crucial in teaching the importance of health and wellness. Middle School students are taught valuable practices in safety, healthy living, and mental and emotional health. In collaboration with the school counseling department, students develop the skills and character to be an upstander and navigate real-world social situations both at school and in their personal lives.

Ready to Reach New Heights in Upper School

TVT Middle School students enter high school with the tools to thrive as open-minded collaborators and dedicated students in the highly experiential programming in Upper School. They are:

Intellectual, grounded thinkers
Scholarly mathematicians
Proficient writers
Confident, experienced leaders
Thoughtful global citizens

In the Middle School, students learn how history shapes the present and impacts current events. This understanding empowers them to face real-world challenges with confidence and a growth mindset.

Tal Harel-Marian, Upper School Faculty Member