Aiken Preparatory School’s Middle School provides the perfect transition from the lower school program to the high school program. It offers a safe, nurturing, family-style environment in which the students learn the value of integrity, responsibility, self-discipline, and respect for others.
The faculty instills a love for learning and celebrates students not only for academic excellence, but also for sportsmanship, citizenship, and leadership, while paying attention to their individual needs. The academic program is rigorous and globally competitive, and it prepares students for the challenges of high school, college, and “the real world”. Aiken Prep’s middle school curriculum consists of 5 core courses plus physical education and a selection of exploratory courses.
Sixth Grade
Students that enter the sixth grade have previously received the necessary information to experience a smooth transition from lower school self-contained instruction to the demands of departmentalized teaching. The middle school faculty works very closely with parents and students to help them both adjust gradually to the social, emotional and physical changes that take place during the middle school years. The core curriculum for sixth grade includes:
- Language Arts
- Mathematics
- Earth Science /Life Science
- Ancient History/World History
- Beginning Spanish
Sixth graders attend Physical Education classes two to three times a week. This class includes a health and wellness component that is age-appropriate.
Seventh Grade
The seventh grade participates fully in the middle school’s departmentalized teaching program. The core curriculum for seventh grade includes:
- Language Arts
- Advanced Math or Pre-algebra
- Earth Science/Life Science
- Ancient History/World History
- Intermediate Spanish
Seventh graders attend Physical Education classes five times a week. This class includes a health and wellness component that is age-appropriate.
Eighth Grade
In the eighth grade students begin the transition to high school by participating in advanced classes and earning high school credits. The core curriculum for eighth grade includes:
- Eighth Grade English/English 1*
- Pre-algebra*/ Algebra I*
- Physical Science *
- South Carolina History
- Advanced Spanish* /Spanish I*
- Physical Education*
*Students have the opportunity to receive a total of five high school credits upon successful completion of these courses.
Students enrolled in Pre-Algebra are eligible to receive one high school elective credit.
Exploratory Courses For All Middle School Students
Two periods per day are devoted to exploratory courses. These courses can be semester or year courses. Selections may vary based on student interest and faculty availability. Recent offerings include:
- Introduction to Latin
- Studio Art
- Genealogy
- U.S. Constitution
- Wireless Technology
- Lego League (students participate in region competitions)
- Research & Writing Skills
- Study Skills
- Computer (various courses on MS Office components)
- Drama (students participate in a spring performance)
- Beginning Band (students do not require previous knowledge of music)
- Concert Band (students participate in community performances and in region competitions)
- News Bowl
- Future City
- Introduction to Classic Movies
- Ancient Civilizations
- Declamation Prep (students acquire public speaking skills to prepare them for the Annual Declamation Contest)
Co-curricular Activities
Middle school students participate in a variety of school wide programs that supplement the curriculum and build a sense of community, leadership and service. These programs include the Spanish Fair, the Declamation Contest, Sports Day and the Science Explosion.
Students also represent the school in local, state, or regional competitions, such as: the SCISA Math Meet, the SCISA Literary Meet, the SCISA Music Festival, the SCISA Regional Spelling Bee, and the National Geography Bee. Field trips are a very important complement to the curriculum. Students participate in one major field trip and several short day trips during the school year.
Recently our middle school students have traveled to Orlando, Williamsburg, Tennessee, Myrtle Beach and Washington, D.C. In addition, the middle school students are involved in various community service projects throughout the school year.
Extracurricular Activities
All middle school students have the opportunity to participate in the school’s athletic program. Depending on the sport, they can participate at the middle school and/or the varsity levels. Membership in the National Junior Beta Club and Aiken Junior Leadership programs is also open to qualified students.