Middle School
Middle School at OHDS gives students rich opportunities to build independence as they take strong ownership of their learning. In both General Studies and Judaic Studies, students in grades 6-8 hone their academic skills while being challenged to encounter complex ideas, to articulate their thoughts, to collaborate as they solve tough problems and explore and express their unique perspectives.
Middle schoolers play an important leadership role within the OHDS community, planning all-school events, connecting with and supporting younger students and taking advantage of the many opportunities to publicly share their learning.
OHDS middle schoolers know the value of community and are supported to grow in their sense of connection to and responsibility for others, both within the school and as part of the larger world. Middle schoolers benefit from weekly small group advisory meetings that focus on personal reflection, goal-setting and relationship-building. From participation in the school’s sports teams and annual musical theater production to creating the school’s yearbook or participating in the student council (SPLASH), OHDS middle schoolers delight in the chance to bring their unique gifts to the larger community.
-
Middle School General Studies
The OHDS middle school general studies program gives students the opportunity to hone their skills in reading, writing, math, science, and social studies, while igniting their curiosity and interests as they deepen their knowledge and understanding of our complex world. Whether working with a partner to analyze primary sources, explaining the quadratic formula to a peer, or being part of a collaborative team to build a roller coaster, students learn to make close observations, listen well to others and bring their unique perspective to every aspect of their general studies learning.
-
Middle School Judaic Studies
Winner of the 2014 Jewish Education Innovation Challenge grant, the OHDS Workshop-Based Beit Midrash program (WBBM) was created to nurture meaningful, personal connections to Jewish learning within a differentiated student-centered setting.
Much like in high school or college, middle school students are able to choose from a variety of Judaic Studies classes based on interest while also fulfilling certain core requirements. These mixed-age courses provide connections between students across middle school grades. In addition to classes, WBBM students select independent study projects that allow them to explore areas of personal interest within Jewish studies.