Expanding on the program from the lower division, the middle years are challenging ones, full of new dreams, hopes, and issues.  NGFS Middle Division recognizes each student as an individual with that of God within. Working to meet each young person where s/he is, our teachers offer support as they challenge each one to reach just a little bit farther academically, physically and emotionally.  Since we are “growing” whole persons and using the process methods, the venues for learning include such activities as small group hands-on work, challenging debates and prepared speeches and monologues, community service, extracurricular sports, high and low ropes challenge activities, team work and individual work, research projects and scientific field work, and middle school dances among others. The goals of building responsibility, teaching patience and care for one another and the wider world, and helping students learn to access and process information undergird all those experiences.  We approach most academics thematically.

One important emphasis in the Middle Division is the importance of developing independent responsibility in our students.  This is apparent in Galaxy contracts and Middle School Curriculum Guides. These are published for each thematic unit and clearly specify required work and expectations and offer additional projects if a student wishes to probe more deeply into a subject or interest area.

Social Curriculum

The social curriculum based on the book Teaching Children to Care by Ruth Charney is continued throughout the Middle Division.