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Middle School

Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy Middle School serves students in grades 6-8. Teachers, students, and families work together to create an atmosphere that is developmentally appropriate and supports healthy academic, social, and emotional growth. Students are taught to be academically responsible and self-reliant within a nurturing environment, and are supported in their individual self-discovery and their growing responsibility to the greater community through mitzvot, tzedakah, and tikkun olam.

Middle School is a time of significant change - mentally, physically, socially, and emotionally. Our program balances academics with play, guided exploration with direct teaching, and skill development with reflection, so students can navigate this stage with confidence.

Social Emotional Learning is woven throughout the Middle School experience through RULER, an approach that helps students Recognize, Understand, Label, Express, and Regulate their emotions.

 

Curriculum


Language Arts

Students build reading, writing, and critical thinking skills through a variety of texts and small-group discussions. Writing grows from the 3-5-paragraph essay toward more complex thesis statements, culminating in 8th grade with a teacher-guided research essay and a persuasive speech, both using MLA formatting. HBHA students read well above the national average, completing 12-15 full books a year.

Mathematics

Students are placed according to individual achievement, progressing through Math 6, Math 7 (Pre-Algebra), Math 8 (Algebra), Geometry, and Algebra 2, with the opportunity to join Star Challenge for accelerated learners.

Jewish Studies

Sixth grade is a bridge year, building on the foundation from Lower School to develop text skills and Rabbinic understanding through a full year of Rabbinics and a semester of BaMidbar with a focus on Rashi's commentary. Beginning in 7th grade, students learn in a combined cohort with the grade above or below them, rotating through core courses in Chaggim and Kashrut, and choosing a semester-long Jewish Studies elective each year to explore their own interests through a Jewish textual lens. Learn more about Jewish Studies at HBHA.

Hebrew

Hebrew instruction builds reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and speaking skills through dual-language immersion.

 

Beyond the Classroom


Mentoring

Mentoring meets three times a week and strengthens the emotional, intellectual, spiritual, and social development of each student through non-academic programming and relationships with faculty members. The Middle School Principal works closely with the School Counselor, Director of Jewish Education, and Middle School Mentors to help students develop leadership skills, improve relational skills, and build the reflective skills needed to make good decisions. Topics integrate Jewish values and include communication and conflict resolution, healthy relationships and sexuality, identity development, drug and alcohol education, mental health education, safety awareness, study skills, and team building. 

Dual-Language Immersion

Learning in Hebrew strengthens students' connection to Jewish peoplehood and the State of Israel, and exposes them to both historical and current texts. HBHA graduates regularly test out of college-level Hebrew.

Experiential Learning

Learning extends beyond the classroom through a beginning-of-year team-building trip, an annual 6th- and 7th-grade Mitzvah Trip, a 6th-grade spring camping trip in Western Kansas, an 8th-grade camping trip in the Scenic River area, a Middle/Upper School Shabbaton, and community field trips, including work with the Food Pantry and our partnership with Village Shalom. 

Electives & Extracurriculars

Students choose from a variety of electives, including art, drama, PE, music, and Jewish Studies. Starting in 5th grade, students have the opportunity to be part of a team with our no-cut sports. Students interested in leadership opportunities are encouraged to run for Student Council.