Seventh Grade

In the seventh grade, student schedules include courses in humanities, mathematics, physics and engineering, spanish, art, computer science, and physical education. In all classes, students focus on collaboration through projects, presentations, and daily work while they also maintain individual learning and accountability.

Humanities

The curriculum for seventh grade humanities is an integrated course focused on American government, history, and literature through the lens of equality. Students learn to read and analyze both fiction and non-fiction including primary sources. The seventh grade history component is an in-depth study of key times in our history rather than a survey course drawn from a textbook. Structuring the curriculum this way allows the students to apply the knowledge and skills gained from their academic subjects to real-life situations. The work done throughout the school year culminates into a week long trip to Washington DC. Read more>>

Math

GMS students start the Algebra curriculum as seventh graders focusing on pre-algebra the first semester and Algebra the second semester. They complete the curriculum by the end of eighth grade. Read more>>

Science and Engineering

The science curriculum emphasizes "Great Ideas in Science," ideas that changed the way we understand the world. In seventh grade, students are introduced to engineering and science concepts that emphasize the structure and organization of life and matter. Read more>>

Computer Science

In seventh grade computer science, students continue to develop the skills they learned in sixth grade and also further their computer literacy with more advanced and complex skills. Some projects include programming small robots to creating complex website designs in Dreamweaver. Read more>>

Spanish

The three-year Spanish program, which starts at a basic level in sixth grade, continues in the 7th grade with more emphasis on building vocabulary in order for students to both communicate and comprehend spoken and written Spanish. Read more>>

Spanish for Fluent Speakers

An alternate program, provided for those who are fluent in Spanish, focuses on advanced writing and literature. Read more>>

Art

Art is an integral part of the educational experience at GMS for all three grades. The art program in 7th grade builds on the skills and concepts introduced in 6th grade, while continuing to expose students to a range of new styles, techniques, and ideas. In 7th grade, the girls focus more on who they are as artists and how they can infuse their art with a sense of their own individuality. Projects include a self portrait, digital image editing, and further exploration of artists and styles. Read more>>

Physical Education

The PE program focuses on creating and maintaining a healthy mental attitude about fitness for life. Emphasis is on non-competitive cooperative games in addition to acquiring skills in a variety of sports. Read more>>

Social & Emotional Learning

Also part of the curriculum is the Social & Emotional Learning program (SEL). Over the course of three years, the SEL program helps students develop such skills as communication, conflict resolution, listening, appreciation of differences, tolerance, self-appreciation, self awareness, and self-expression. SEL provides a supportive and safe atmosphere where the students can discuss many of the challenges that face adolescent girls. In this course they also learn accurate information about health, sexuality, and substance abuse that will help them make responsible decisions about their own bodies and their own lives.

Advisory

GMS students attend a weekly advisory meeting with a mentor teacher who helps monitor their academic progress and support communication between home and school. Also, there is time integrated into the class schedule for enrichment beyond the regular classes.

Rotation

Students rotate through a variety of enrichment opportunities including wood shop, pottery, and drama.

Entrepreneurial Program

An additional part of the seventh grade curriculum is the Entrepreneurial Program. This ground-breaking class offers seventh grade students the opportunity to experience firsthand the excitement of starting and running a business. The girls synthesize many areas of academic learning and apply them to a real world experience. In addition to more traditional academic skills such as teamwork, presentation skills, number operations, and graphing, students acquire and apply such nontraditional skills as budgeting, marketing, and the creation and sale of an original product. Using the venture capital model that has been so successful in connecting risk-taking investors with innovative idea people in the Silicon Valley, the Entrepreneurial Program guides students through the process of creating a business. Read more>>