As students move through the middle grades they gradually develop a greater sense of independence and autonomy. Students are growing as independent readers and thinkers and they are eager to explore new ideas and reach outward into the world. Throughout these years students develop their own interests and hobbies and learn the importance of self-acceptance vs. peer pressure.
Advancing through these grades, students interact with a greater number of teachers because their homeroom teachers now specialize in one/more of the core subjects. This allows for strong, comprehensive teaching as well as ability grouping when feasible. Students also continue to have special teachers for PE, Library, Spanish, Music, Art, and Gifted/Enrichment.