MIDDLE SCHOOL ACADEMIC COMPLEMENTS
Academic Complements are prescribed courses (options noted) in Academic Workshop, Art, Communications, Computers, Drama, Music, and Physical Arts. 
ART
Full year, 6th-8th grade
ART EXPLORATION 1, 2, 3 enables students to develop their talents and creative potential. The art, life, and times of the artist Vincent Van Gogh will be used as a basis for exploring and developing art skills and techniques in a wide variety of media and styles. Van Gogh was an artist who in the span of ten years taught himself how to draw and eventually paint in a very unique and expressive style. He was a very compassionate man and his artistic and literary works (his 800 letters) offer a rich opportunity for students to learn how to understand and use the language of art. —Carol Berry, Dave Wesley
DRAMA
Full year, 8th grade
DRAMA introduces students to the fundamentals of acting and teaches them basic stage terminology. Students participate in acting exercises, improvisational and theater games, and beginning scenework. —Tracey Wesley
MUSIC
Full year, 6th-8th grades
BAND 1, 2, 3 presents technique, theory, ear training, history, and repertoire for all instruments, some of which may be student selected. —Peggy D'Amour
Full year, 6th-8th grades
CHAMBER MUSIC 1, 2, 3 presents technique, theory, ear training, history, and repertoire for those with an interest and some private instruction background in classical music. By teacher recommendation, open only to traditional "classical" instruments. —Melissa Chesnut-Tangerman
Full year, 6th-8th grades
CHORUS 1, 2, 3 presents technique, theory, ear training, history, and repertoire with an emphasis on voice production and unison and two-part and three-part harmony. For all middle school singers and non-instrumentalists. —Melissa Chesnut-Tangerman
Full year, 8th grade (everyone not in Band, Chamber, or Chorus)
GENERAL MUSIC is a non-performance-based course for those who do not currently play an instrument or sing. Students actively explore principles of music and music history, incorporating keyboard lessons as an entry to music reading. —Melissa Chesnut-Tangerman, Peggy D'Amour
PHYSICAL ARTS
Full year, 6th-8th grades
MS PHYSICAL ARTS 1, 2, 3 utilizes the Presidential Fitness Challenge to benchmark endurance, speed, agility, strength, and flexibility. Students participate in a traditional physical education program. —Tony Kasulinous
ACADEMIC WORKSHOP
Full year, 6th grade
ACADEMIC WORKSHOP 1 develops individualized academic self-awareness and includes necessary study skills that relate to the student's coursework. —Peter Ahlfeld
Full year, 8th grade
ACADEMIC WORKSHOP 3
Peter presents A Taste of Upper School: awareness, planning, and preparing for what lies ahead. Second semester covers reading and research skills in Virginia's Book Club. —Peter Ahlfeld, Virginia Morgan
COMMUNICATIONS
Full year, 6th-8th grade
COMMUNICATIONS 1, 2, 3 helps students understand the process of communicating effectively with themselves and with others. Students become more familiar with the process of decision making and conflict resolution. —Wendy Herrick, Tony Kasulinous
COMPUTERS
Full year, 7th grade
COMPUTER OPERATIONS Students become familiar with the following: level 1 is keyboarding; level 2 is word processing and spreadsheets, desktop publishing, webpage design, and Internet research. —Todd Smith, Yvonne M. Payrits
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