Middle SchoolJoyful Learning and a Foundation for Life
Life in middle school should be a combination of curiosity, exposure and limitless possibility! Students here benefit from a program steeped in our deep tradition of excellence in scholarship and character, while also having the agency to make thoughtful course choices that bring them joy.
As we’ve learned from our partnership with Challenge Success out of Stanford University, engaged kids are well kids, and students are engaged at Kent Denver. Our academic program begins with three years of English, history, math, science, world language and visual and performing arts. Each year, our incredible teachers continue to sharpen the curricula of these core courses and deepen their scope and sequence.
A Day in the Life
Every day at Kent Denver is full of adventure, discovery, growth, creativity and fun! Get a feel for what a day in the Middle School is like with our interactive schedule. Below is an example of a Monday A Day schedule for a Middle School student. To explore a full week, please view our Middle School schedule.
- 8:30 a.m.
8:30 a.m.
Period 0: Science
Our school day starts at 8:30 a.m.—9 a.m. on late start Wednesdays—so there’s time to get that very important adolescent sleep!
In science, middle schoolers begin with a focus on Earth and Environmental Sciences and an emphasis on the scientific method. That means lots of labs and experiments in and out of the classroom!
- 9:30 a.m.
9:30 a.m.
Assembly and Advisory
Meet with the entire Middle School in Kuntz Commons before splitting up into your advisory group.
- 10:05 a.m.
Period 1: Math
We believe all students are mathematicians, and our flexible course sequencing places students in the right level to match their learning needs.
Math at Kent Denver inspires curiosity and imagination—creating problem solvers, collaborators and creative thinkers.
- 11:05 a.m.
11:05 a.m.
- 11:45 a.m.
11:45 a.m.
Period 3: Art
In 6th grade, students are introduced to the Arts at Kent Denver through a yearlong rotation that provides a sampling of what 7th and 8th grade students experience in more depth—including dance, instrumental and vocal music, theater and visual arts classes.
- 12:45 p.m.
Period 4: English
Our English program encourages critical and appreciative reading, eloquent writing and imaginative thinking.
The theme at the start of middle school, explored through daily reading and writing, is “Who am I?”. The goal is for students to hone their skills for understanding and analyzing literature, while connecting it to themselves and their community.
- 1:45 p.m.
1:45 p.m.
Recess
Move, play, recharge and reconnect!
You might want to throw a ball around outside, play cards in the Centennial Center or work on a custom ‘recess project’ in our Impact Studio.
- 2 p.m.
2 p.m.
Period 5: World Language
Kent Denver offers French, Spanish and Chinese, starting in 6th grade.
We believe knowing a language other than your own is an essential skill in our changing world, and it's a key part of a well-rounded education. Our language students gain proficiency in a fun and natural way with games, songs and other hands-on activities.
- 3:05 p.m.
3:05 p.m.
Sports Practice
Every Middle School student gets to participate in a sport or activity every day during the fall, winter and spring seasons.
Middle School Choices
We let our middle school students answer the questions: What do you want to study? Who do you want to be? In addition to a wide array of semester courses available in the Visual and Performing Arts, students in Middle School are able to choose which World Language—Chinese, French or Spanish—they’d like to study. Take a look at some of the other options students can choose from in Middle School.
Arts
The Middle School arts curriculum encompasses a broad sampling of both visual and performing arts and nurtures artistic growth at all levels. In 6th grade, students are introduced to the Arts at Kent Denver through a yearlong rotation that provides a sampling of what 7th and 8th grade students experience in more depth.
In 7th and 8th grade, students are able to choose their art specialties from dance, music, theatre and visual arts.
Athletics
After classes end for the day, Kent Denver middle-schoolers meet for sports or other activities. This is an important time that allows students to try new things, deepen friendships, develop athletic skills and challenge their minds and bodies!
Middle School athletics also give students an opportunity to preview the sports offered in the Upper School, meet their future coaches and create relationships with teammates that will last through high school.
Electives
Each semester, Middle School students get to choose from more than two dozen offerings designed to get them out of their seat, make something new and have fun in the process. Over the course of a student's middle school years, they can take up to six different elective offerings!
What Our
Sun Devils
Say.
Why attend Kent Denver? Let some of our middle school students explain what they love about our campus, teachers and curriculum.
Connor C. '29
Student
Connor C. - Class of 2029
Reagan W. '30
Student
Reagan W. - Class of 2030
Lewis R. '30
Student
Harper L. '30
Student
Harper L. - Class of 2030
Harper L. - Class of 2030
Middle School Traditions
A student's three years at Kent Denver Middle School are marked by exploration, growth, self-discovery and, of course, fun! Our graduates look back fondly on their time, which involves some unforgettable traditions unique to Kent Denver.
Meet Your Middle School Support Team
We know middle school can be both an exciting and turbulent time, and we have many structures and systems in place to ensure our students are known, seen and cared for. Browse the friendly faces below to see who works alongside our students throughout their three years at Kent Denver Middle School.