Grades 6-8

Baker students collaborate to take on tough challenges through learning adventures
Spinning basketball

The Tools to Thrive

Young people crave purpose. Baker students deepen their understanding of the arts and sciences through inquiry-inspired projects that take them out of the classroom and into the community, where they grow as independent, capable advocates for themselves and others.

Wandering Wednesday Behind the Scenes

Transitioning to High School

Baker teachers provide the tools for students to thrive

In middle school, students develop skills that will help them thrive in later life: approaching collaborative work democratically, trusting their instincts enough to step into leadership, and advocating for themselves so they get the experiences they need to deepen their understanding.

In an experiential learning environment that invites creative design thinking and innovation – inside and out of the classroom – they develop prerequisite mastery of the subject areas they will study in high school:

  • Core Subjects: Language arts (English), mathematics, science, social studies and world languages (Latin and Spanish)
  • Arts Core (choice-based): music, drama, visual arts, dance, technology

What It Looks Like

6th Grade
  • At the Indiana Dunes Learning Center, 6th graders stay for three days (two nights) to get a hands-on science experience learning about the ecology and natural resources of the region.
7th Grade
  • At Camp MacLean, 7th graders take a day trip to build trust, learn to collaborate and grow stronger as a team on the Mt. MacLean Skyway.
8th Grade
  • In Baker’s Annual Boat Regatta, 8th graders race against classmates in life-sized cardboard boats across our indoor swimming pool. First, they must design the boats themselves, applying geometry and physics to this fun engineering project.
  • During their weeklong stay at the Angelic Organics Learning Center, 8th graders care for the farm’s goats, help take part in wood splitting, composting and more. Through this experience, they learn about soil composition, vermiculture (controlled growing of worms), and how to build a compost bin.
Inter-Grade Level
  • At the Latin Happening exhibit, 6th-8th graders explore the classical world through hands-on activities and in-depth exploration of myth and history.
  • On their trip to The Plant, 7th and 8th graders head to Chicago’s Back of the Yards neighborhood to learn about the carbon cycle, sustainability practices, and circular economies.  
  • The Buddy Program gives middle schoolers and students from lower grades opportunities to discuss important issues together in “buddy classes,” which meet during, before or after assemblies.

Middle School Curriculum Guide

 

At Baker, students deepen their understanding of the arts, humanities, languages, mathematics and sciences through inquiry-based learning, where they grow as independent, capable advocates for themselves and others. Learn more about our Middle School in our curriculum guide.

A Virtual Tour of Baker

Take a virtual tour of Baker Demonstration School and learn more about the school from the people who know it best — our teachers and students.

Take a Look Inside the Middle School Classroom

See students collaborating to take on tough challenges through more learning adventures. Check out our online student portfolio.