Middle School
A Learning Environment Where Every Student is Known
At Vermont Commons School, our middle school program (grades 6-8) is designed to cultivate curiosity, independence, and confidence in young learners. With small class sizes, strong student-teacher relationships, and hands-on learning experiences, our students develop the academic and social-emotional skills needed to thrive in high school and beyond.
Middle school is a time of transformation, and our program is designed to support and challenge students as they develop their identities as learners and community members.
Academic Excellence & Innovation
Middle school students take core academic courses in English, science, math, Spanish, social studies and the arts. Our curriculum balances rigor and creativity, ensuring students are both supported and pushed to grow during their Middle School years.
Academic highlights include:
✔ Hands-on science in our campus labs, the great outdoors, and our Outdoor Education Center
✔ Building essential executive functioning skills through guided instruction and practice
✔ Creative and performing arts opportunities, including music, theater, and visual arts
Encounter Weeks: Experiential Learning Beyond the Classroom
Three times a year, students step out of the classroom and into the world for week-long, immersive learning experiences. Middle school students gain confidence, teamwork skills, and a love of learning through adventures like:
✔ Canoeing and outdoor leadership
✔ Mock trial and debate
✔ Studio art and fiber arts
✔ Ecology and environmental stewardship
A Community of Connection & Belonging
Middle schoolers at VCS are part of a small, tight-knit community where they feel valued, included, and supported. Through morning meetings, advisory groups, and multi-age experiences outside of the classroom, students form meaningful connections with peers and faculty.
✔ Small class sizes (12:1 student-teacher ratio)
✔ Dedicated advisors for academic and personal growth
✔ A welcoming, kind, and inclusive school culture