MIDDLE SCHOOL
an OVERVIEW Who will your child become? Let’s find out together. Our Middle School program thoughtfully stewards our students’ transformation from children to teens. We love this important stage in a young person’s life, with all the intellectual, physical, and social-emotional changes it brings. The burst of neural activity during this window makes Middle School a prime time to embrace new experiences and pursue bigger challenges. As we continue to build a strong academic foundation, we also offer myriad opportunities for your child to explore—on the sports field, in the arts studio, behind the camera, in the Maker Space, and on stage. You will watch your child blossom in our well-planned balance of nurture and challenge, responsibility and support. At ROBS, we are devoted to preparing children for all that comes next.
SCHEDULE The ROBS Middle School experience models Mind, Brain & Education (MBE) science research with a rotating schedule that balances prime learning time among subject areas, interspersed breaks, daily variety, and unstructured time for social exchanges.
ROTATING SCHEDULE FEATURES 1-hour classes 7 classes each trimester Individualized schedules Weekly chapel Weekly advisory Daily tutorials & study halls
➡
FIFTH GRADE English Language English Literature Mathematics Social Studies Science Spanish or Academic Seminar Elective Rotation SIXTH GRADE English Mathematics Social Studies Earth Science Spanish or Academic Seminar Elective Rotation 1 Elective Rotation 2 SEVENTH GRADE English Algebra or IMAGe Western Civilization Life Science Spanish or Academic Seminar Elective 1 Elective 2 EIGHTH GRADE English Algebra or IMAGe II American History Integrated Physics and Chemistry Spanish or Academic Seminar Elective 1 Elective 2
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT & SPIRITUAL LIFE Every facet of our programming is designed to support your child’s healthy development—intellectually, socially, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Character lessons based on the biblical “fruit of the Spirit” infuse socialemotional lessons throughout the day. Bible class, daily devotionals, prayer, and weekly Chapel services support children’s spiritual formation. Wellness lessons based on the latest research teach students about stress management, responsible device use, and other socially relevant issues. Our small-group advisory program provides a safe haven of structured downtime for students to connect and for caring adults to monitor their wellbeing.
CHAPEL Students in grades 5-8 gather weekly for chapel. Regardless of religious affiliation, students relish the time to reflect, worship, and learn. Each month, one student from each grade is recognized with a character award for exhibiting the “fruit of the Spirit.”
ADVISORY Approximately 10-12 students are grouped into an advisory, which meets with a dedicated advisor at least three times during the week. Mindful Monday advisory time is a space for students to hone their executive functioning skills as they prepare for the week ahead. Wednesday advisory lessons complement the chapel message and weave in social-emotional curricula. Fridays are reserved for fun and connection.
Fifth GRADE ENGLISH LANGUAGE Emphasis on vocabulary, grammar, and composition. Students study Greek and Latin root words and context clues to improve vocabulary, and they practice writing for different audiences and purposes such as making a brochure as a “kid entrepreneur.” ENGLISH LITERATURE Introduction to classic and contemporary high-interest novels. Application of comprehension and critical thinking skills to self-selected literature choices. MATHEMATICS A blend of Everyday Mathematics, the core of our Lower School program, and more traditional math curricula builds strong foundational skills. Students develop fluency in geometry, multiplication and division, measurement, decimals and fractions, percent and probability, interpreting data, integers, exponents, negative numbers, predicting outcomes, and algebraic reasoning. SCHOLASTIC MATHEMATICS Course content parallels Mathematics with a faster pace and increased complexity. Students are expected to demonstrate strong conceptual understanding, apply skills in multi-step problem solving, and communicate mathematical reasoning with precision. SOCIAL STUDIES Study of major themes in American History such as the country’s founding, constitutional rights, immigration, expansion, commerce, wars, and global leadership—topics that still dominate today’s headlines. SCIENCE Introductory study of Earth Science (sixth grade), Life Science (seventh grade), and Physics and Chemistry (eighth grade) through hands-on, interactive experiments and investigations. SPANISH Preparatory course for high-school level Spanish, which begins in sixth grade. Students build foundational proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing through engaging lessons while exploring the cultures and perspectives of the Spanish-speaking world. Middle School Spanish curriculum follows a progression of year-long courses— Spanish 1A, Spanish 1B, and Spanish II Honors. ACADEMIC SEMINAR Students may be placed in Academic Seminar as an alternative to the Spanish foreign language requirement. Course designed to reinforce content from core classes using research-based strategies. Students practice and develop executive functioning, study, and metacognitive skills.
ELECTIVE ROTATION Fifth graders take each of the following electives on a half-trimester basis (approximately six weeks).
BEGINNING CHOIR Beginning course for vocalists focusing on healthy singing, ear training, and singing with accuracy of pitch and rhythm. Ensemble lessons on harmony and blending with other voices. BEGINNING STRINGS Introduction to orchestra instruments and basic note reading. Students learn violin fundamentals in this hands-on course. VISUAL ART Exposure to creative strategies, skills, and concepts in wide variety of traditional and new media (i.e., drawing, painting, sculpture). Historical and cultural heritage woven into lessons. THEATRE Introduction to the Middle School theatre program, encouraging students to find their individual voices as both human beings and performers. BIBLE An interactive curriculum titled “Echo the Story” guides a study of the overarching narrative of scripture along with its structure and how to navigate it. DIGITAL LITERACY Digital citizenship, keyboarding, file management, and Microsoft 365 skills.
✽ 6 core yearlong classes ✽ Double dose of language arts ✽ Recess and P.E. every day ✽ Elective rotation provides entrée to the advanced electives available in seventh and eighth grades ✽ Overnight, team-building field trip to Camp Allen
5
Sixth GRADE ENGLISH Storytelling takes center stage through study of diverse literary genres like mystery, memoir, and poetry. Students develop writing portfolios, conduct poetry readings, give book presentations, and discuss literature with peers. SCHOLASTIC ENGLISH Course content parallels English with a higher workload and faster pace. Students will exhibit a superior command of grammar and writing mechanics. MATHEMATICS A bridge from fifth grade mathematics to seventh grade Algebra IA. Beginning use of variables to represent numbers. Introduction to proportionality and its relationship to probability and statistics, graphing on a coordinate plane, two- and threedimensional geometric figures, and problemsolving and application. PRE-ALGEBRA Content mirrors the sixth grade Mathematics course, but the pace of Pre-Algebra is faster and includes work with additional concepts and higher-order critical thinking skills. SOCIAL STUDIES Study of ancient civilizations founded along river valleys, including Mesopotamia, Egypt, West Africa, Central/Meso-America, China, Japan, and India.
EARTH SCIENCE Exploration of the processes that have shaped the earth, with attention to the role humans play in caring for the planet. Use of technology and web-based science activities to bridge the science and classroom practice. SPANISH PRE-IA Preparatory course for Spanish IA, designed for students with little to no previous exposure to Spanish. Spanish curriculum follows a progression of year-long courses— Spanish IA, Spanish IB, and Spanish II. SPANISH IA Course covers about half the material of a high-school level Spanish I class. Goal for students to achieve novice communicative speaking and writing competence. ACADEMIC SEMINAR Students may be placed in Academic Seminar as an alternative to the Spanish foreign language requirement. Course designed to reinforce content from core classes using research-based strategies. Students practice and develop executive functioning, study, and metacognitive skills.
ELECTIVE ROTATION Sixth graders take each of the following courses on a rotating basis over two dedicated elective blocks.
VISUAL ART Students continue to build foundational art skills in drawing, painting, and ceramics, while furthering their creativity and abilities. THEATRE Building confidence in speaking and performing, students develop vocal and physical expression, learn stage movement, and practice working with scripts. BIBLE Students explore the question “Who is God?” by looking closely at the names and attributes of God in scripture, discovering Him as Healer, Shepherd, Provider, and more. DIGITAL FOUNDATIONS Continued work with digital citizenship, keyboarding, email etiquette, word processing, and design. CHOIR Students continue to develop healthy vocal technique, pitch accuracy, and harmony skills as they perform a variety of music styles in concert and in the community. ORCHESTRA Designed for beginner string players, students focus on instrument basics, reading music, and ensemble performance. MAKERSPACE Introduction to creative technology and design. Students explore digital tools like Tinkercad, Cricut, and WeVideo.
✽ Five core yearlong classes ✽ Recess every day ✽ Choice of athletics or P.E. every day ✽ Elective rotation provides entrée to the advanced electives available in seventh and eighth grades ✽ Overnight, team-building trip to Camp Olympia
6
Seventh GRADE ENGLISH Introduction to literary analysis, including examination of the hero’s journey, through core and choice literary works. Literary selections also parallel history curriculum. Writing skills strengthened through a combination of personal experiential writing and formal critical writing, with a focus on the multi-paragraph, literary analysis thesis essay. ENGLISH HONORS Content areas mirror the level English course, but the pace of English Honors is faster. Students read additional literature and complete more writing assignments. ALGEBRA IA The first half of a high-school level algebra I program. Functions-based course covering operations with integers and polynomials, solving multi-step linear equations and inequalities in one and two variables, graphing and analyzing linear functions, and limited topics in probability, statistics, and geometry. ALGEBRA IA HONORS The first half of a high-school level algebra I program, while applying rigorous higherorder thinking skills to the same content areas covered in Algebra IA.
IMAGE I HONORS Integrated Mathematics: Algebra and Geometry. An abstract, accelerated course assimilating fundamentals of algebra and geometry, including transformations, congruence, constructions, and proofs. Second half of this course—IMAGe II Honors—is offered in eighth grade, positioning students for algebra II/ trigonometry in high school. WESTERN CIVILIZATION Highly experiential study of the trajectory of European history—including ancient Greece, the Roman Empire, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the Age of Enlightenment, and the Age of Discovery. LIFE SCIENCE Exploration of the exquisite, complex, and interconnected systems of the human body. Seventh grade scientists engineer simple prototypes using the design-thinking process pioneered by Stanford’s Design School. Students conduct a series of dissections and delve into lab work by extracting DNA from wheat germ, for example, or growing fruit flies in a petri dish. BIBLE Students contemplate the question “Who is Jesus?” by looking at the different names and titles attributed to Christ in scripture, as well as how the kingdom of God depicted in Jesus’ parables differs from the world we know.
SPANISH IA Course covers about half the material of a high-school level Spanish I class. Goal for students to achieve novice communicative speaking and writing competence. SPANISH IB Course covers the second half of the material in a high-school level Spanish I class. Goal for students to achieve comfortable speaking competence and intermediate writing skills. ACADEMIC SEMINAR Students may be placed in Academic Seminar as an alternative to the Spanish foreign language requirement. Course designed to reinforce content from core classes using research-based strategies. Students practice and develop executive functioning, study, and metacognitive skills.
✽ 5 core classes ✽ 2 elective periods ✽ 20+ elective choices ✽ Choice of athletics or P.E. ✽ 3-day class trip to T Bar M Christian camp
With two full elective periods on our trimester calendar, seventh graders can take as many as five classes of their choice in a single year.
7
Eighth GRADE ENGLISH Examination of social issues with profound moral implications through the study of various genres—memoir, poetry, literary analysis thesis essay, and persuasive research paper. Harkness-style discussions develop students’ ability to analyze and converse about literature without teacher intervention. ENGLISH HONORS The overarching theme of “The American Experience” permeates English Honors in tandem with eighth grade U.S. History. Students in English Honors read additional literature, complete more writing assignments, and work at a faster pace than students in level English classes. ALGEBRA IB The second half of a high-school level algebra I program that begins in seventh grade. Functions-based course covers factoring polynomials; simplifying and solving rational, radical, absolute value and quadratic expressions, and equations in one variable; quadratic and exponential functions with applications involving vertical motion and growth/decay models; and statistics to model real-world data. ALGEBRA IB HONORS The second half of a high-school level algebra I program, while applying rigorous higher-order thinking skills to the same content areas covered in Algebra IB. Algebra IB and Algebra IB Honors position eighth graders for geometry or honors geometry in high school.
IMAGE II HONORS Integrated Mathematics: Algebra and Geometry. The second year of an abstract and accelerated course integrating algebra and geometry curricula. Completion of Honors IMAGe I (seventh grade) and II (eighth grade) is congruent with completion of high-school level algebra and geometry, positioning students for algebra II/ trigonometry in high school. AMERICAN HISTORY Intensive study of American history from colonization to September 11, 2001, with an emphasis on branches of government, economic development, and America’s role and global responsibilities during wartime and peace, while considering the various experiences and perspectives of the many voices in our history. INTEGRATED PHYSICS & CHEMISTRY Hands-on, project-based course covers physics and chemistry principles of motion, energy transformations, properties of matter, changes in matter, and solution chemistry. BIBLE Students spend the first half of this course considering what it means to be made in the image of God. Then students turn their gaze to the future, to high school and beyond, and contemplate the spiritual takeaways they need to be ready for the journey.
SPANISH IA Course covers about half the material of a high-school level Spanish I class. Goal for students to achieve novice communicative speaking and writing competence. SPANISH IB Course covers the second half of the material in a high-school level Spanish I class. Goal for students to achieve comfortable speaking competence and intermediate writing skills. SPANISH II HONORS Commensurate with a full year of highschool level Spanish II, reinforcing reading, writing, and speaking, and introducing new verb tenses. Goal for students to achieve intermediate fluency. ACADEMIC SEMINAR Students may be placed in Academic Seminar as an alternative to the Spanish foreign language requirement. Course designed to reinforce content from core classes using research-based strategies. Students practice and develop executive functioning, study, and metacognitive skills.
✽ 5 core classes ✽ 2 elective periods ✽ Choice of athletics or P.E. ✽ 20+ elective choices ✽ 6-day class trip to Washington, D.C. and Williamsburg, VA
The majority of ROBS graduates place out of high school Algebra and Spanish I, with many placing into honors-level courses across all subject areas.
8
Elective COURSES Students in grades 7–8 may choose from the following list for two elective periods each trimester. One trimester of Bible is required in seventh and eighth grades.
PERFORMING ARTS PREMIER CHOIR (YEARLONG) Ensemble of singers that focuses on healthy singing, ear training, and singing with accuracy of pitch and rhythm. Students will learn harmony and blending with other voices. Students in the class represent the ROBS Choir which performs at various concerts, chapels, and community opportunities. INTERMEDIATE ORCHESTRA (YEARLONG) Instrumental ensemble designed for seventh grade students with prior experience playing an instrument. Students will focus on correct technique, sound production, music literacy, and playing in a group setting. The orchestra will prepare music for performances at different concerts and community events. ADVANCED ORCHESTRA (YEARLONG) Intended for the serious eighth grade orchestra student as a follow-up to Intermediate Orchestra. Includes a chamber music unit; students perform at different concerts and community events. MUSICAL (TRIMESTER) Designed for the singer/actor/dancer who enjoys musical productions. Class will culminate in a performance. Outside rehearsals are expected. ONE ACT PLAY (TRIMESTER) For student actors who enjoy non-musical productions. Smaller in nature than the large productions, students will hone their character development skills. Outside rehearsals are expected. THEATRE INTENSIVE (TRIMESTER) In-depth study of acting, including scene work, monologues, and character development.
SPEECH AND DEBATE (TRIMESTER) Introduction to public speaking and formal debate. Units culminate in performance assignments that require students to demonstrate their abilities within the classroom setting. STUDIO ARTS YEARBOOK (YEARLONG) Publication course that includes photography, graphic design, desktop publishing, and writing skills to produce the School’s annual yearbook. Ability to work independently and meet deadlines required. Placement determined by fine arts faculty. DRAWING INTENSIVE (TRIMESTER) Students build skills in observation, sketching, value and texture reproduction, and perspective application. Students will explore mediums such as graphite, charcoal, ink, and colored pencils. CERAMICS INTENSIVE (TRIMESTER) Study of hand building techniques to construct coil, pinch, and slab creations. Students will also explore glazing techniques. ARTFULLY MADE (TRIMESTER) Students explore the artistry and craftsmanship behind techniques like block printing, resin casting, polymer clay molding, and more. Students use those skills to create beautiful handmade objects like jewelry, accessories, and paper goods. PAINTING (TRIMESTER) Designed to build technical proficiency in painting, students will study color theory as they explore using watercolor, tempera, and acrylic paint.
TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
LEADERSHIP & SPIRITUAL GROWTH
MAKERSPACE TECHNICAL (TRIMESTER) Extension of sixth grade Makerspace, with a special emphasis on the more advanced features of Tinkercad, 3-D printing, and other software/ hardware programs. Also includes rocket building and launching.
LEADING THROUGH SERVICE (TRIMESTER) Designed to help students develop healthy relationships and leadership skills through service in and around our community. Students discuss how care and concern for the greater community exemplifies our Christian call to service.
MAKERSPACE DIY (TRIMESTER) Extension of sixth grade Makerspace, with a special emphasis on the hands-on design aspects of Cricut Design Space and Glowforge Laser Cutter. Also includes projects like candle-making, tie-dye art, and wood carving.
KROB BROADCASTING (TRIMESTER) Students learn how to gather information, organize ideas, format stories for various forms of news media, and prepare a daily broadcast for the school community.
CODING/ROBOTICS (TRIMESTER) Introduction to programming and game design. Students will make game controllers and use robots to operate games of their own design. GRAPHICS/MOVIE MAKING (TRIMESTER) Technical training on graphics programs, including Laser Cutter, WeVideo, and Pixlar, to create movies and animate characters. BUSINESS ENTREPRENEURSHIP (TRIMESTER) Cross-curricular, project-based learning course guiding eighth grade students to design and launch a small business. Areas of focus include product design, marketing and sales, financial stewardship, and work ethic through a Christian lens. PERSONAL FINANCE (TRIMESTER) Introduction to the stock market, money management, and financial literacy.
CHAPEL WORSHIP TEAM (TRIMESTER) Group of student musicians form a contemporary worship band to provide music for weekly Chapel services. The band includes singers as well as musicians playing instruments like the piano, guitar, bass, drums, ukulele, and other solo instruments. Previous musical experience is required. PASSION PROJECT (TRIMESTER) Students design their own learning journey, pursuing interests from creative arts to data-driven exploration. Guided by Google’s “Genius Hour” model, they’ll research, create, and problem-solve to transform passion into meaningful work. DISNEY & LIFE: LESSONS BEYOND THE SCREEN (TRIMESTER) Iconic stories spark meaningful conversations about courage, responsibility, and emotional intelligence—important skills that support both academic success and personal development.
ACTIVITIES STUDENT COUNCIL Student Council is comprised of representatives from each home base (grades 5-8) and led by six officers (grades 7-8 only) – a president, vice president, recording secretary, corresponding secretary, treasurer, and historian. Students in grades 5-6 elect a peer from their home base two times/year to serve as their student council representative. Fifth and sixth grade representatives meet with a faculty sponsor once a week to advance initiatives that improve student life on campus. Officers and home base representatives in grades 7-8 serve a yearlong term, working with administration and faculty to represent students’ concerns. The seventh and eighth grade council members also sponsor events each year. QUIZ BOWL If you have all the answers, Quiz Bowl is for you. Get together with fellow students to test your knowledge in a variety of subjects, including history, geography, literature, science, grammar, art, current events, general knowledge, math, and much more. Quiz Bowl meets weekly during tutorial period; official tournament play is optional. ODYSSEY OF THE MIND This creative problem-solving program gives students the chance to work collaboratively, think outside the box, and present innovative solutions through teamwork and competition. ROBOTICS TEAM Students on our Robotics Team are motivated, team-oriented, and ready to take their programming and coding skills to the next level. The Robotics Team meets weekly before school and during tutorial period, working on programming robots and creating innovative projects to compete in the First Lego League competition. SPANISH CAFÉ Spanish Café is a weekly club where students can build confidence using Spanish in a fun, relaxed environment. Each club meeting combines conversational practice with hands-on cultural experiences such as games, music, art, food, and traditions from across the Spanishspeaking world. Students of all Spanish levels are welcome—the goal is to take risks, connect with others, and discover new ways to use Spanish beyond the classroom. SPIRIT CLUB Spirit Club organizes and leads the fall, winter, and spring spirit rallies. Students choreograph their own dances, perform cheers, and orchestrate student-faculty competitions and other activities to energize the ROBS student body. Spirit Club members (grade 8 only) meet weekly before and after school. RAIDER AMBASSADORS Raider Ambassadors represent the School to prospective students and families going through the admission process. These eighth grade student ambassadors must have a positive attitude, excellent communication skills, demonstrated leadership, and a professional demeanor. Students participate in daytime and evening admission events—welcoming guests, directing tours, and serving as panelists.
ATHLETICS
At least one participatory sport is offered each season for students in grades 6–8 so that any student who wishes to join a team may do so. ROBS teams compete in the Houston Junior Preparatory Conference (HJPC). Students who elect not to participate in an organized sport engage in running, weight-lifting, and general fitness exercises.
Fall Football (boys) Field hockey (girls) Volleyball Cross-country
Winter Basketball Soccer Swimming
Spring Lacrosse Track and Field Golf Tennis (7/8 only)
Bellaire High School
The Awty International School
Middlesex School
BEYOND ROBS
Episcopal High School Phillips A (Alexandria, VA) ST. JOH
EPISCOPAL HIGH SCHOOL
The Kinkaid Schoo
CARNEGIE VANGUARD HIGH SCHOO KINDER HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE PERFORMING & VISUAL ARTS
The Thacher School (CA) IMG Academy (FL)
LAMAR HIGH SCHOOL IB St. Thomas High School
The transition to high school is exciting, and we’re here to walk alongside you each step of the way.
Academy Andover (MA)
HN’S SCHOOL
The Taft School (CT)
ol ST. GEORGE’S SCHOOL (RI)
SECOND BAPTIST SCHOOL
DUCHESNE ACADEMY OF THE SACRED HEART
Houston Christian High School
Phillips Academy Exeter (NH)
Lake Forest Academy
OL St. Agnes Academy
STRAKE JESUIT COLLEGE PREPARATORY
MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL
St. Francis Episcopal School
BAYLOR SCHOOL (TN)
ROBS graduates are consistently admitted to top-tier public and independent high school programs, as well as prestigious boarding schools across the country. Choosing the right school is a big deal. And we delight in supporting our soon-to-be graduates and their families throughout the process. Our Office of Enrollment Management partners with our families from start to finish. From hosting on-campus visits with area admission directors and conducting mock admission interviews with our students to sharing monthly emails with important reminders and upcoming deadlines, we equip our students and their parents to tackle the process with confidence and, dare we say, excitement.
STAY YOUNGER LONGER
BETTER ACADEMIC RESULTS
DEVELOP MIDDLE SCHOOL LEADERS
READY FOR CHANGE
ALL RESOURCES FOR PS-EIGHTH GRADE
GREATER SENSE OF BELONGING
SOLIDIFY STUDENTS’ FAITH
CHOOSE THE BEST FIT FOR HIGH SCHOOL
2300 WILLOWICK HOUSTON, TEXAS 77027 713.623.6938 | WWW.ROBS.ORG
GUIDANCE DURING TRANSITION