As DGS students prepare to enter middle school we are focused on helping them expand their horizons. We’ve already touched on how our principles come to life for our youngest learners, but what does this look like for our middle schoolers? We constantly ask ourselves, how can we make education even more authentic? How can we create opportunities for creative, out-of-the-box thinking? And most importantly, how can we ensure our 8th graders have become leaders, have developed self-efficacy, and are prepared for success in high school?
Our program at DGS builds upon itself. Each classroom, and each year, supports the next evolution for our students' growth personally and academically. It’s only fitting that Middle School—the culmination of our program at DGS—offers extra and unique opportunities that make it truly stand out.
If you know a family who might be interested in Davidson Green School or know of a student who would thrive in this type of learning environment, we invite you to share this article with them. We’d love the chance to welcome them to the DGS community!
We Take Field Trips to Another Level
Extended Learning Field Trip (ELFT)
Want to know who plans the best trips at DGS? Our students, of course! For the Extended Learning Field Trip, Middle Schoolers fundraise with events like Bake Sales and Pizza Lunch, then use their earnings to build a full itinerary.
From choosing activities to picking where to eat and how to travel, students are involved in every step of their ELFT. This year, 6th graders will explore Raleigh, while 7th and 8th graders head to Washington, D.C. These trips aren’t just fun (though they definitely are!); they’re a hands-on way for kids to take ownership of their learning and build lifelong skills that will serve them well into adulthood.
See How We Turn Field Trips into Lifelong Memories
Overnight Adventures
Ever wonder what it’s like to hike all day, raft the rapids, or sleep under the stars? DGS Overnight Adventures are full of moments like these. Students step outside their everyday routines and discover what they’re capable of. Besides the fun and friends, these trips teach skills that stick with them forever—like courage, teamwork, and a love for the outdoors.
Discover How Learning Comes to Life
Authentic Science & Engineering
Here, science and engineering are all about getting your hands dirty (sometimes literally) and having fun while learning. Our Middle Schoolers take on projects that go way beyond textbooks—from experimenting with solar ovens to testing Newton’s Laws by turning skateboards into rolling physics lessons.
During the annual Problem Solved Expo, students get to follow their passions, whether that means designing an engineering solution, diving deep into questions with inquiry-based experiments, or creating a contraption just for the joy of seeing it work. By 8th grade, they’re ready to take it up a notch, competing at the UNC State Science Fair or showing off their creativity at the Rube Goldberg Competition (and yes, we’ve got a pretty impressive history of wins!).
What makes it extra awesome are the challenges they face—and solve—along the way. How do you get a gummy bear across a 40-foot gap so it lands upright in a hula hoop? Or send a Pringle through the mail without it crumbling to dust? These kinds of puzzles stretch their creativity and teach them to think outside the box.
See the Spark of Curiosity in Action
Immersive Global Perspective
Encouraging students to think beyond themselves and look at the world more broadly is at the heart of what we do, and Middle School is where students get to bring it to life. Rooted in the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), our program helps them explore some of the world’s most pressing issues with curiosity and a desire to take action.
Our 8th graders take part in opportunities that few schools offer, like attending the World Affairs Council. It’s a rare chance for them to meet influential leaders and better understand their place in shaping the world. And when they present their ideas to the Charlotte International Cabinet, they see how their voices can spark real-world change. Watching them step up with confidence and purpose is something truly special.
How Our Students See the World Differently
Leaders in Our Community
Our middle school students love being leaders, and it shows in everything they do! They organize fundraisers like Kids Night Out and Pizza Lunches, not only raising money but also creating fun, memorable events for the rest of our students. They’ve turned Halloween into a fun-filled carnival with games they created themselves, and organized a Festival of Lights fair where all our students learn about celebrations/traditions from around the world.
It’s amazing to see our middle schoolers take charge, get creative, and turn their ideas into something that brings everyone together while learning the value of teamwork.
Empowering Students to Lead With Purpose
Service to the Wider Community
Serving the community is one of our core values, and we bring it to life through hands-on projects that make a real difference. For instance, our Middle School students stepped up by designing and building recycling bins for the annual Christmas in Davidson event—bins that continue to serve thousands of attendees each year.
This sense of civic responsibility extends to individual passions as well. One Middle Schooler, inspired by their “action-plan” project with Ms. Patricia and Ms. Emily, developed a tree-planting initiative that led them to work with the Davidson Lands Conservancy. Her hard work didn’t stop there—she continued her efforts over the summer and even had the honor of reading a poem at the inauguration of the Conservancy’s 100th Treasure Tree. These projects show students how their actions can impact the world, fostering a lifelong commitment to service and sustainability.
How Our Kids Are Giving Back
Social Emotional Learning in Middle School
Social-emotional learning (SEL) is so important in middle school. It helps students deal with the increasing academic demands, social pressures, and emotional challenges they’ll face in high school. With more teens struggling with anxiety, depression, self-harm, and risky behaviors, it’s critical to give preteens and teens the tools they need to handle these issues before stepping into the stressful world of high school.
In middle school, we provide dedicated SEL instruction and support. Each week, Ms. Kathleen works with students to build resilience, self-awareness, and emotional regulation. Along with SEL lessons, we know how important outdoor time is for social well-being and emotional balance. Unlike many middle schools, we want students to explore nature, play, and just enjoy being kids. There's no rush for them to grow up! We even take schoolwork outside sometimes, creating a supportive space where they can build self-confidence and emotional intelligence to get ready for high school and beyond.
See How We’re Supporting Emotional Growth
Make Middle School Count
Middle school is a pivotal time in your child’s life, where years of learning, exploration, and growth truly come together to shape their future. At DGS, our curriculum is designed to build leaders—empowering students with confidence, critical thinking, and a sense of purpose as they prepare for what’s ahead.
Know a Middle School Student who would thrive at Davidson Green School?
Be sure to pass this article along to friends and family and share all the great ways DGS is working to cultivate a bright future for our students.
Want to learn more? Join us for an upcoming information session to see what a day in the life of a Davidson Green School student is actually like.
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