A Thoughtful Transition into Independent Learning
The Journey
Middle school is one of the most important periods of growth in a student's educational journey. Students are becoming more independent, their interests are expanding, and they begin developing a stronger understanding of who they are as learners and individuals.
Our middle school program provides the balance of challenge, flexibility, mentorship, and encouragement that students need during this exciting stage of development. As expectations increase, students develop confidence, responsibility, and the skills needed to thrive in high school and beyond.
Learning
Every student follows an individualized academic pathway designed around their strengths, interests, and goals. Learning takes place through a combination of one-to-one instruction, collaborative seminars, discussion-based classes, and experiential learning opportunities. Students are challenged at an appropriate level in every subject, allowing them to accelerate where they are ready while developing deeper understanding and confidence across the curriculum.
Students who are prepared for advanced coursework in mathematics and world languages may begin earning high school credit, and all students complete Washington State History—the first course toward high school graduation.
Discovery
Middle school is a time to explore widely and discover new passions. Students study mathematics, science, language arts, social studies, and PE while participating in a rich variety of electives including visual arts, drama, fashion design, graphic design, photography, electronics, computer applications, video game asset design, and world languages.
Our social studies program extends beyond the classroom through weekly field-based learning experiences. Students spend half a day each week exploring museums, historic sites, businesses, civic institutions, and communities, connecting classroom learning with the world around them.
Students are encouraged to pursue interests in depth, experiment with new ideas, and even design courses that reflect their own passions as they discover who they are as individuals and within their community.
Belonging
As friendships and identity become increasingly important at this stage, Chrysalis provides a community where students feel genuinely known and valued. Every student is paired with a consulting teacher who serves as mentor, advisor, and advocate throughout the year. Through this meaningful partnership, students receive guidance in academics, organization, goal-setting, and personal growth.
Students also build school community through clubs, leadership opportunities, field trips, dances, movie nights, spirit weeks, ski trips, and student government. Together, these experiences help students develop confidence, resilience, empathy, and a strong sense of belonging.