New Middle School Electives
What’s behind the expansion and why it matters
This fall, St. Andrew’s Middle School rolled out a bold new elective program, giving students more opportunities than ever to explore their passions and deepen their learning. We sat down with Alec Warn, St. Andrew’s Assistant Head of Middle School for Academics, to learn more about what’s new, why it matters, and how students are already responding.
More choices, more depth
“In the past, Middle School students had about six elective options,” says Warn. “Now, they can choose from more than 20 courses ranging from Taekwondo and Modern Greek Culture to Music Production, Fashion Design, Film History and Creative Writing.”
Under the newly expanded elective offerings, each Middle School student will take six electives across their Middle School years — one per semester — allowing them to both explore new areas of interest and dive deeper into subjects they love. In the past, they were only able to take three.
Connecting electives to practical learning
Many of the new electives intentionally link to what students are learning in their core classes. For example, an elective on math and money ties math to financial literacy, whereas the Geo Bee elective supports a deeper dive into geography alongside opportunities to compete. In addition, Leadership 101 fosters the habits of a leader while emphasizing service.
“These courses allow students to explore their passions in a deeper and more impactful setting beyond the core curriculum,” says Warn.
Specials that strengthen core skills
Alongside electives, the Middle School has expanded the "Specials" courses - required classes designed to build and support academic foundations.
“These courses fold in the skills students will need later—whether that’s AP-level writing, public speaking, applied research, community and spiritual engagement, or health and wellness,” says Warn.
This year’s Middle School Specials courses include grade level specific focus areas to support academic skill building and growth:
Aligned with the Upper School
The revamped Middle School schedule shifts from three daily blocks to four and, not only does the new schedule allow for more instructional time, it also mirrors the Upper School schedule. This paves the way for mentorship opportunities and lays the groundwork for collaboration in shared spaces like the STEM Center in the years to come when the two divisions will call St. Andrew’s Southwest Parkway Campus home.
“Middle School students who excel in certain areas will be able to directly take Upper School courses during their time in middle school,” says Warn. “Eventually sharing spaces like the STEM Center will expand mentorship and inspiration across divisions.”
Students are already all in
A few weeks into the rollout, Warn says the transition has been exciting and smooth.
“Teachers and students both appreciate that their time is being being repurposed for new and innovative opportunities,” he reflects. “Since electives are built around student choice, the interest and buy-in is there on day one.”
What’s more, these new electives are another way to encourage connection across the Middle School.
“Students are connecting with new teachers and peers across grade levels who share their passions,” says Warn. “In middle school, it’s all about gaining new experiences, loving the process of learning and connecting with others - that’s at the heart of it.”
Looking ahead
As new faculty join the ranks of St. Andrew’s Middle School, the elective catalog will continue to evolve. Warn envisions eventually being able to offer advanced levels of popular elective courses such as coding or design. He sees electives as an outlet for teachers to bring their own passions to students.
“When Middle Schoolers get to explore, experiment, and go deeper in their own interests, it sets them up for success in Upper School and beyond,” says Warn.
Learn more about the new Middle School and STEM Center
Back
More choices, more depth
“In the past, Middle School students had about six elective options,” says Warn. “Now, they can choose from more than 20 courses ranging from Taekwondo and Modern Greek Culture to Music Production, Fashion Design, Film History and Creative Writing.”
Under the newly expanded elective offerings, each Middle School student will take six electives across their Middle School years — one per semester — allowing them to both explore new areas of interest and dive deeper into subjects they love. In the past, they were only able to take three.
Connecting electives to practical learning
Many of the new electives intentionally link to what students are learning in their core classes. For example, an elective on math and money ties math to financial literacy, whereas the Geo Bee elective supports a deeper dive into geography alongside opportunities to compete. In addition, Leadership 101 fosters the habits of a leader while emphasizing service.
“These courses allow students to explore their passions in a deeper and more impactful setting beyond the core curriculum,” says Warn.
Specials that strengthen core skills
Alongside electives, the Middle School has expanded the "Specials" courses - required classes designed to build and support academic foundations.
“These courses fold in the skills students will need later—whether that’s AP-level writing, public speaking, applied research, community and spiritual engagement, or health and wellness,” says Warn.
This year’s Middle School Specials courses include grade level specific focus areas to support academic skill building and growth:
- 6th Grade SET class - Study Skills, Executive Functioning, Technology
- 6th Grade RPT class - Research, Problem Solving, Typing
- 7th Grade - Health & Wellness/Religious Studies
- 8th Grade - Speech & Research Skills/Project Citizen
Aligned with the Upper School
The revamped Middle School schedule shifts from three daily blocks to four and, not only does the new schedule allow for more instructional time, it also mirrors the Upper School schedule. This paves the way for mentorship opportunities and lays the groundwork for collaboration in shared spaces like the STEM Center in the years to come when the two divisions will call St. Andrew’s Southwest Parkway Campus home.
“Middle School students who excel in certain areas will be able to directly take Upper School courses during their time in middle school,” says Warn. “Eventually sharing spaces like the STEM Center will expand mentorship and inspiration across divisions.”
Students are already all in
A few weeks into the rollout, Warn says the transition has been exciting and smooth.
“Teachers and students both appreciate that their time is being being repurposed for new and innovative opportunities,” he reflects. “Since electives are built around student choice, the interest and buy-in is there on day one.”
What’s more, these new electives are another way to encourage connection across the Middle School.
“Students are connecting with new teachers and peers across grade levels who share their passions,” says Warn. “In middle school, it’s all about gaining new experiences, loving the process of learning and connecting with others - that’s at the heart of it.”
Looking ahead
As new faculty join the ranks of St. Andrew’s Middle School, the elective catalog will continue to evolve. Warn envisions eventually being able to offer advanced levels of popular elective courses such as coding or design. He sees electives as an outlet for teachers to bring their own passions to students.
“When Middle Schoolers get to explore, experiment, and go deeper in their own interests, it sets them up for success in Upper School and beyond,” says Warn.
Learn more about the new Middle School and STEM Center
