Howley Middle School classes are designed for students to develop and practice important skills needed for success in the classroom and beyond. Through project-based learning experiences, students will develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills while reading and writing across the curriculum. In addition, there is an emphasis on study skills, organization, and time management. Throughout the Middle School experience, students build confidence as they create meaningful relationships with the faculty and their classmates.
Program Highlights
• Grade Level Experiences
Project-based experiences and field trips are intentionally designed for each grade level, fostering student connections with peers and the greater community while upholding a commitment to the Common Good.
• Community Block
Community Block is a daily time allotted for students to explore their interests beyond the core curriculum, and build connections with their peers and faculty. Opportunities during this time consist of study hall, Ensemble (Chorus and Jazz), and special programming including pop-up events, and microcourses. At the end of the week, all Middle School students and faculty come together for a celebration and recess.
• Counseling Class
Students are supported throughout their Malvern career in a myriad of ways, including formal counseling classes all three years of Middle School. These sessions allow students to surface and discuss relevant topics in a small and supportive environment. Utilizing The Social Institute Curriculum, the class addresses age-appropriate topics such as executive functioning skills, stress management, social/emotional learning, relationship management, and decision-making.
• Learning Specialist (LS)
The LS provides students with an understanding of their learning profile while offering strategies and accommodations at an independent and classroom level. Learning support offers differentiated instruction using curricular goals that align with student’s specific learning styles. Parent partnership and team collaboration become an essential part of this process. Areas covered include the development of literacy skills, study habits, time management, organization, and self-advocacy skills.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
• Ensemble (Jazz and Chorus)
All Middle School musicians have the opportunity to join an Ensemble. Ensemble occurs within the school day, so students can participate in other activities before or after school. Middle School Jazz Ensemble and Chorus perform two concerts throughout the year, including a Winter and Spring Concert. All sixth-grade students are required to participate in Ensemble during their first year.
• Eighth-Grade Electives
Eighth-grade students have the opportunity to select two electives during their final year of Middle School. Electives include Spanish, Latin, Media Production, Music Recording and Technology, Studio Art I, Introduction to Computer Science, and Introduction to Guitar. All eighth-grade electives mirror Upper School courses and will allow students to advance in those disciplines of study.
• Keystone Courses
Sixth and seventh-grade students participate in one Keystone class every term. Keystone classes include Visual Arts, Music, Media Production, Life Skills, and Foundational Habits of Learning.
ASSESSMENT ICONS
While navigating the curriculum guide you will notice courses labeled with the icons below. This is meant to be a simple visual reference to recognize courses that have largely been designed around an assessment of a particular skill or process.
Major Writing Evaluation
Courses with this tag will focus largely on student writing. Students should expect a significant writing assignment as a summative experience in this course.
Summative Traditional Test
Courses with this tag will prepare students for a traditional style summative test.
Collaborative Project
Courses with this tag will provide students with the experience of working on a long-format collaborative project with peers. Students entering these courses should expect to build communication skills, both among peers and through public presentation.
Public Performance/Showcase
Courses with this tag will result in some form of public performance or showcase of student work. This could vary from a scheduled group performance to the publication of an individual student’s work.
Creative Design & Production
Courses with this tag will provide students an opportunity to design and create through varying methods and the use of various media.
Service Opportunities
Courses with this tag will provide service opportunities, related to the coursework, to students enrolled in the course.
GRADE LEVEL COURSE OFFERINGS
SIXTH GRADE CORE CONTENT
Course Description
English
Social Studies
Math
Science
Introduction to Spanish
Sixth-grade English uses literature and a variety of modes of writing to explore deep questions about the world, develop creative thinking skills, and make students’ voices heard throughout the greater community. The study of grammar, literary devices, and vocabulary derived from literature inform students’ mastery of reading comprehension skills and writing skills - providing them with a strong foundation as they move forward in Middle School.
Sixth-grade Social Studies looks to examine the origins of the United States of America, from our very founding to our existence in the 21st century. The course will address the American Revolution, our Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the U.S. Civil War, the origins of our election system, and our system of limited government. Students will study the influences of past leaders and address topics and issues including war, politics, immigration, and government. Enhancing writing, research, critical thinking, and presentation skills is a focus throughout the year.
The Math I course focuses on the pre-algebra curriculum. In the course, students will focus on number sense mastery, integers, and expressions. They will learn through teacher instruction, collaborative work, and inquiry-based lessons. The purpose of using this model is to help the student take ownership of his learning experience and learn how to best work both individually and collaboratively, understand that mistakes are valuable learning tools, persevere when challenged, learn to apply concepts to higher-level questioning, and most importantly, develop his curiosity of the world and be able to use skills learned when he leaves the classroom. The Advanced Math I course takes a deeper dive into the pre-algebra curriculum.
Sixth-grade Science is an integrated course designed for students to better understand the world around them. Throughout the course, students explore Life and Earth Sciences while developing their scientific skills and building on their understanding of the scientific process. Hands-on explorations are a key part of the curriculum that allows students to collaborate with their peers and develop their problem-solving skills.
In sixth-grade Spanish, students will be expected to be able to perform various tasks pertaining to the Spanish language. The four basic language skills of reading, writing, listening, and speaking will be demonstrated through the practice of oral, written, and reading activities on a daily basis. Students will also gain knowledge of different cultures of the Spanish-speaking world and conduct research about various cultural themes. As we advance through the curriculum, students will be assessed multiple times per unit of study in order to track their progress.
Theology
Sixth-grade Theology invites students on a journey of faith, exploring the foundational beliefs, and traditions of the Catholic Church. Through Scripture, the teachings of St. Augustine, and core tenets of the faith, students will deepen their relationship with God and learn to integrate their beliefs into daily life. Emphasizing community, reflection, and prayer, this course highlights key topics such as Revelation, the Holy Trinity, the Sacraments, and the liturgical year. Special emphasis is placed on the Sacrament of Confirmation, preparing eligible students to receive the Sacrament and deepen their commitment to their faith. By the end of the course, students will develop a deeper understanding of Catholic teachings, recognize the Holy Spirit’s presence, and draw inspiration from St. Augustine’s call to interiority.
GRADE LEVEL COURSE OFFERINGS
SIXTH GRADE KEYSTONE COURSES
All sixth-grade students take a different Keystone Course each term.
Course Description
Art
Media
Production
In sixth-grade Art, students learn to understand and apply the elements and principles of the visual arts. Students will create and maintain a digital portfolio that displays images of all their work and can be accessed and updated through each year of Middle School into the Upper School. Art classes will introduce the student to techniques and skills required for creating Art in 2-D and 3-D mediums. Students will learn art techniques through the study of Art History.
Sixth-grade Media Production is an introductory class that exposes students to various forms of media. Students will experiment with sound, image, and video. Through the completion of mini-projects, students will learn about the foundational ideas of pre-production, production, and post-production.
Life Skills
Foundational Habits of Learning
Students are introduced to the fundamentals of physical fitness while building essential motor skills. Through team sports, games, and classroom activities, they develop executive function skills, teamwork, sportsmanship, stress management, and social-emotional learning. These activities also help students strengthen relationship management and decision-making abilities. The class fosters positive attitudes toward physical activity and emphasizes the importance of staying active for overall well-being. Additionally, students receive an introduction to water safety and basic swimming skills, as well as an overview of Malvern’s athletic offerings, preparing them for future sports participation.
Foundational Habits of Learning provides our sixth-grade students with an opportunity to discover and develop themselves as learners. This course is structured around an executive functioning curriculum specific to building organizational skills, time management, and learning tools to develop strong study habits.
GRADE LEVEL COURSE OFFERINGS
SEVENTH GRADE CORE CONTENT
Course Description
English In seventh-grade English, literature and a variety of modes of writing are used to probe more deeply into questions about the world, to expand creative thinking skills, and to make students’ voices heard throughout the greater community. The course helps students build on and further skills mastered in sixth-grade English, including reading comprehension, writing process, grammar, and vocabulary skills.
Social Studies
Seventh-grade Social Studies focuses on global issues that will challenge students to consider various contemporary issues (poverty, famine, immigration, civil war, politics, pollution, health/ disease, education, population, urbanization, genocide, religion, terrorism, etc.) while considering the role of the United States and the United Nations across the globe. Ultimately, the course aims to teach us all how to think globally. Research, writing, critical thinking, and presentations of learning are at the core of this course. The course will address themes across the globe, and address their root causes, often expanding generations.
Math
Spanish I
The Math II course focuses on the first half of the Algebra I curriculum. In the course, students will focus on simplifying expressions via the order of operations, solving equations and inequalities, and graphing equations. Mastery of solving equations will be assessed throughout the year. Students will learn through teacher instruction, collaborative work, and inquiry-based lessons. The purpose of using this model is to help the student take ownership of his learning experience and learn how to best work both individually and collaboratively, understand that mistakes are valuable learning tools, persevere when challenged, learn to apply concepts to higher-level questioning, and most importantly, develop his curiosity of the world and be able to use skills learned when he leaves the classroom.
The Advanced Math II course takes a deeper dive into the first half of the Algebra I curriculum. The Extended Advanced Math II course covers the full Algebra I curriculum in seventh grade. The topics of study include properties of equality and inequality, solving and graphing linear equations and inequalities, ratios and proportion, laws of exponents, exponential functions, polynomials and factoring, and quadratic equations. Students will use application-based problems while learning how to represent data algebraically, graphically, and verbally. The prerequisite for this course is a teacher recommendation and a placement assessment.
Seventh-grade Spanish offers students an opportunity to develop authentic Spanish language communication skills that they can use in everyday situations. This course will deepen and broaden the student’s foundation in basic Spanish grammar and vocabulary, as well as the skills and strategies necessary for communication in authentic contexts at the novice level.
GRADE LEVEL COURSE OFFERINGS
Course
Science
Theology
SEVENTH GRADE CORE CONTENT
Description
Seventh-grade Science is an integrated course designed for students to explore processes that have shaped our Earth and beyond. Throughout the course, students explore physics and its connection to Earth and space science, while developing their scientific skills and building their understanding of the scientific process. Students will develop their problem-solving skills as they participate in hands-on explorations to build their understanding of the world around them.
Seventh-grade Theology provides a comprehensive exploration of Catholic beliefs, traditions, and moral teachings, with a special emphasis on the Eucharist as the source and summit of the faith. Students will study the covenants of the Old Testament, recognizing how they foreshadow the New Covenant in Christ and shape our present worship. They will also be inspired by the life of Saint Carlo Acutis, a model of Eucharistic devotion and digital evangelization. Through prayer, reflection, and study, students will deepen their faith and understand their call to live as disciples of Christ in the modern world.
GRADE LEVEL COURSE OFFERINGS
SEVENTH GRADE KEYSTONE COURSES
All seventh-grade students take a different Keystone Course each term.
Course Description
Art
Music
Media
Production
In seventh-grade Art, students learn to understand and apply the elements and principles of the visual arts using a choice-based approach. Students will create and maintain a digital portfolio that displays images of all their work and can be accessed and updated through each year of Middle School into the Upper School. Art classes introduce the student to techniques and skills required for creating Art in 2-D and 3-D mediums. Students will learn art techniques through the study of Art History.
Seventh-grade Music furthers the students’ understanding of music theory and harmony through the introduction to songwriting and song form. Students will be introduced to the technology aspect of music and will use the program Logic Pro X to explore different musical sounds and genres. Each student is provided the opportunity to do the following: pick a genre of music from the 20th Century, research that genre, re-create a song from that genre using Logic Pro X, and present their research and song to the class.
Seventh-grade Media Production is a continuation of learning about the various forms of media. Projects will become more complex and more creative. Students will have a good understanding of how to use media in other classrooms to demonstrate learning.
Life Skills
Students continue to build on the foundation they established in sixth-grade while focusing more on refining their physical skills and increasing their fitness levels. Key areas of focus include learning how to properly hinge and squat for strength training, practicing basic tumbling and gymnastics skills for balance and coordination, and developing jump rope techniques for cardiovascular fitness. Additionally, students will engage in calisthenics-based strength training exercises to enhance overall body strength and endurance. The basics of freestyle swimming technique and water polo will be introduced. Team games will also be played to improve motor skills and cooperation. Emphasis is placed on proper form, injury prevention, and the importance of consistent practice. As students develop these foundational skills, they are encouraged to set personal fitness goals and understand how these skills contribute to a healthy, active lifestyle.
C
GRADE LEVEL COURSE OFFERINGS
EIGHTH GRADE CORE CONTENT
Course Description
WritingEvaluation
English In eighth-grade English, students continue to grow as writers and readers as they prepare to move into the Upper School. By reading classic and contemporary literature, students will develop their vocabulary and reading comprehension skills. Through academic and creative writing, students will master writing conventions, develop analytical skills, and experience writing as a vehicle for selfexpression. Students will focus on writing as a process, including brainstorming, drafting, and peer editing.
Social Studies
Math
Science
Theology
Eighth-grade Social Studies focuses on Post-Civil War American History (Reconstruction, Westward Expansion, the Industrial Revolution, World War I, the 1920s and 1930s, and World War II). Students closely follow social issues during these time periods. Students will gain an understanding of how the past shapes the present while developing empathy and becoming better readers, writers, and thinkers. Students will collaborate, problem-solve, and analyze while connecting real-world issues of the past and present.
The Math III course focuses on the second half of the Algebra 1 curriculum. In this course, students will continue to improve their level of mastery and will work to be able to solve linear equations, solve linear inequalities, graph and write linear functions, solve systems of equations, explore and apply properties of exponents, evaluate expressions containing radicals and rational exponents, solve exponential equations, perform operations with polynomials, factor and solve polynomial equations, and graph and solve quadratic equations. Students will learn and develop skills according to their own pace and learning styles. Assessments will be differentiated according to each student’s level of mastery in each content area. In this way, students will begin to understand and appreciate Algebra as seen through their own eyes and experienced using their own unique talents.
Students who successfully complete and show mastery of a full Algebra 1 course in seventh grade will have the option to take Geometry during their eighth grade year.
Eighth-grade Science is an integrated course designed for students to explore the world around them and develop a better understanding of how humans are connected to their environment. Throughout the course, students explore chemistry and the environment, while developing their scientific skills and building on their understanding of the scientific process. Students will look at real-world problems from a local and global perspective, use technology to gather and analyze data, and apply problem-solving skills.
Eighth-grade Theology explores the leadership of the Apostles and early Church, the challenges faced by early Christians, and the Book of Revelation’s vision of heavenly worship and hope. Guided by the New Testament letters, students will examine the Church’s mission, human dignity, and the call to heroic virtue and sainthood, both past and present. The life of Saint Augustine—particularly his transformative leadership after his conversion— will serve as a powerful model for growth in faith, wisdom, and brotherhood. Students will examine the Sacraments of Commitment and Healing as vital sources of grace to strengthen the faithful in their journey. Throughout the course, sacred art will be woven into the study, offering students a rich encounter with beauty as a pathway to truth, goodness, and the divine inviting students to be inspired to seek what is good, true, and beautiful in their own lives.
GRADE LEVEL COURSE OFFERINGS
EIGHTH GRADE CORE CONTENT
Course Description
Life Skills
Students build on their physical skills with an introduction to basic strength training exercises using a barbell. They will continue developing strength and endurance through calisthenics and jump rope exercises while focusing on proper technique. Students will also learn and refine freestyle swim technique, with evaluations to track their progress and skill development in the water. As part of the health education curriculum, students will engage in nutrition lessons, including a series of at-home cooking assignments that teach them how to prepare healthy meals using everyday kitchen tools and ingredients. These assignments emphasize the importance of balanced nutrition and self-sufficiency in meal preparation. To reinforce teamwork and coordination, students will participate in games that require cooperation, strategic thinking, and skilled physical coordination. By the end of the year, students will have gained valuable knowledge in fitness, strength training, nutrition, and working as part of a team, preparing them for the physical demands of high school PE and lifelong wellness.
GRADE LEVEL COURSE OFFERINGS
EIGHTH GRADE ELECTIVES
Eighth-grade students will select two of the following courses.
Course Description
Studio Art
Music
Recording and Technology
Spanish II
Media Production
Introduction to Computer Science
& Producti
Introduction to Latin
The arts in the classroom are always striving to develop and enhance a student’s creativity through art production and through solving design problems. Students will learn to understand and apply the elements and principles of the visual arts. Students will create and maintain a digital portfolio that displays images of all their work and can be accessed and updated through each year of Middle School into Upper School.
Art classes will introduce the student to techniques and skills required for creating Art in 2-D and 3-D mediums. Students will learn art techniques through the study of Art History.
Music Recording and Technology introduces students to the art of contemporary recording techniques using Logic Pro X. The students are required to learn and develop the skills and creativity necessary for song composition and recording. Through exploration of different genres of music, students will have the opportunity to establish their own unique ‘sound’ and produce a professional sounding final composition.
Spanish II offers students an opportunity to develop authentic Spanish language communication skills that they can use in everyday situations. This course will deepen and broaden the student’s foundation in Spanish grammar and vocabulary, as well as the skills and strategies necessary for communication in authentic contexts at the novice high to intermediate level.
Students will learn about and develop the skills associated with the design, creation, distribution, and analysis of digital media. Through a focus on marketing and communication, students will identify content worthy of publication, determine the appropriate media (audio, video, etc) to connect with the desired population, and use the appropriate technical processes to create digital communication, deliver it, and measure the impact on the community.
Students will select guided project pathways that will allow them to learn and create simultaneously. Projects may focus on them physically, such as robots or automated devices, or live completely in the digital world, like video games or web applications. Students will have access to curated resources, including tools and materials such as 3D printers, RGB lighting/LED displays, Raspberry Pi/Arduinos, and assorted electronics. Upon completion of the course, students will have developed computational thinking skills and will have a completed project that demonstrates what they can do with those skills.
Introduction to Latin is a multidisciplinary course designed to immerse students in the world of the ancient Greeks and Romans through language, vocabulary, mythology, and culture. The course will provide students with a basic grounding in Latin, help them deepen their knowledge of English roots and etymology, and allow them to explore the stories of gods, heroes, and adventures that form the basis for the Western tradition.
Introduction to Guitar
This course will provide students an introduction to the fundamentals of guitar playing, including note reading, chord progressions, maintenance, tuning, and reading tablature. No previous guitar experience is necessary; guitars will be provided in class.
MIDDLE SCHOOL ENSEMBLE
All Middle School musicians have the opportunity to join an ensemble. Ensemble occurs within the school day so students can participate in other activities before or after school. All sixth-grade students are required to participate in Ensemble during their first year at Malvern and will select either Jazz or Chorus.
Jazz
The Middle School Jazz Ensemble is an organization for the purpose of learning, practicing, and performing different styles of Jazz music. The course offers two on-campus concerts, Winter and Spring Arts Festivals, opportunities to audition for All-Catholic Jazz and Concert Band as well as District and Regional Concert bands. Grades will be based on participation, preparation for class and concerts, and general musical improvement.
Chorus
The Middle School Men’s Chorus performs at a variety of public events including the annual Winter and Spring Arts Festivals, school liturgies, and other public functions. Students will refine sight-singing skills and learn proper vocal techniques.
COUNSELING COURSEWORK
Sixth Grade
The goal of sixth-grade counseling class is to lay the foundation for a successful educational experience at Malvern Prep. In sixth-grade counseling, students will build on their social and emotional skills by covering topics like growth mindset, empathy, conflict resolution, and social media. In addition, students will also improve upon their academic skills by focusing on key elements of executive functioning which include topics such as time management and organization.
Seventh Grade
During seventh grade counseling, students continue to improve upon social, emotional, and academic skills, while diving deeper into their own individual interests and talents. Students work to strengthen concepts of themselves while also learning to understand the effect they have on those around them. Topics covered include the multicultural self, decision making, the use of language, stress management, and career exploration.
Eighth Grade
Eighth grade marks the transition phase for students as they prepare to enter into the Upper School. They continue to build on the social, emotional, and academic skills that form the backbone of success in school and in life, and also focus on topics that are age appropriate for eighth-grade students. Topics covered in eighth grade counseling class will include identity (who you are), healthy vs. unhealthy relationships, drugs and alcohol, and diversity, equity and inclusion.
