Through elective courses, Middle School students explore many disciplines across the Fine Arts and STEAM.
WozEd Pathways put student exploration and discovery at the forefront. Designed by Apple’s Steve Wozniak, the program offers curriculum plans that immerse students in engineering, coding, animation, and more.
Students develop a mindset essential for future tech roles while honing soft skills that prepare them for success in life. Collaboration, problem solving, and critical thinking are central to every WozEd pathway, laying a strong foundation for success in fields set for exponential growth.
STUDENTS ARE NOT JUST LEARNERS — THEY ARE EXPLORERS AND CREATORS.
| FIFTH GRADE: CODING |
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| Fifth graders embark on a journey through coding and logical thinking. They learn the intricacies of binary commands and the importance of detailed planning in programming for Ozobots. By programming each step, students learn the value of patience and thoroughness. |
| SIXTH GRADE: ANIMATION |
| Students model the process of animation, from brainstorming to storyboarding to designing a prototype to crafting a final product. This hands-on approach not only nurtures new skills, but also instills a sense of pride as students share their creative endeavors with others. |
| SEVENTH AND EIGHTH GRADE: ENGINEERING |
| In the middle school engineering elective, students learn block coding, text coding, and manual control through drawing and movement. In class, they use Sphero Mini robot balls to navigate mazes, signal for communication, and simulate games like mini golf. |
BAND, DRAMA, ORCHESTRA, VISUAL ART
| 5TH GRADE: FINE ARTS WHEEL |
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There’s something special about this time of exploration that is crucial, not only for building the skills of future artists, but also for students’ creative potential. Although most schools’ programs lock students into their arts elective choice early, at MPCS, fifth-grade students rotate through band and orchestra classes (instruments provided). They have the chance to experience each discipline without the pressure of making a choice that has to last through 12th grade. In sixth grade, students are encouraged to switch disciplines at the start of the spring semester. Arts education is associated with academic success in math, critical thinking, reading comprehension, and more. During these developmentally critical years, students experience the joy of connecting with others and the world through art. |
| 5TH GRADE BAND |
| 5th Grade Band is an 8-week exploratory arts class in which students learn the basics of traditional band instruments, including flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, and percussion. The class meets three times per week. |
| 5TH GRADE ORCHESTRA |
| 5th Grade Orchestra is an 8-week exploratory arts class in which students learn the basics of stringed instruments, including violin, viola, cello, and bass. The class meets three times per week. |
| 5TH GRADE PERFORMING ARTS EXPLORATORY |
| 5th & 6th Grade Drama introduces students to the foundations of theatre through creative play, improvisation, storytelling, and ensemble-building. Students develop confidence in performance through theatre games and collaborative activities while exploring basic acting skills, including voice, movement, character, and stage presence. Creativity, problem-solving, and student choice are encouraged through guided performance experiences, and students are introduced to monologues and short scripted scenes. The course fosters communication, collaboration, empathy, and respect for diverse perspectives, while building foundational rehearsal habits and audience etiquette. Students culminate the semester with a performance that showcases their developing performance skills. |
| 5TH GRADE VISUAL ARTS EXPLORATORY |
| 5th and 6th Grade Visual Art introduces students to foundational art skills through drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, mixed media, and introductory digital art. Students learn the elements of art and principles of design while exploring a variety of materials and techniques, building confidence in their own artistic expression. Original artwork inspired by personal experience, imagination, and observation is paired with the study of famous artists and cultures from around the world. Students take creative risks in a supportive studio environment through both individual and collaborative projects. |
| 6TH GRADE PRE-SYMPHONY (WINDS AND PERCUSSION) |
| 6th Grade Pre-Symphony (Winds and Percussion) is a foundational ensemble class in which students choose a traditional band instrument to learn, including flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, horn, euphonium, trombone, tuba, electric bass, or percussion. With the exception of a few large instruments, students provide their own instrument, and may repeat the course in both the first and second semester. Students participate in an end-of-semester performance. |
| 6TH GRADE PRE-SYMPHONY (STRINGS) |
| 6th Grade Pre-Symphony (Strings) is a foundational ensemble class in which students choose a stringed instrument to learn, including violin, viola, cello, or bass. Students are not required to rent an instrument and may repeat the course in both the first and second semester. Students participate in an end-of-semester performance. |
| 6TH GRADE PERFORMING ARTS EXPLORATORY |
| 5th & 6th Grade Drama introduces students to the foundations of theatre through creative play, improvisation, storytelling, and ensemble-building. Students develop confidence in performance through theatre games and collaborative activities while exploring basic acting skills, including voice, movement, character, and stage presence. Creativity, problem-solving, and student choice are encouraged through guided performance experiences, and students are introduced to monologues and short scripted scenes. The course fosters communication, collaboration, empathy, and respect for diverse perspectives, while building foundational rehearsal habits and audience etiquette. Students culminate the semester with a performance that showcases their developing performance skills. |
| 6TH GRADE VISUAL ARTS EXPLORATORY |
| 5th and 6th Grade Visual Art introduces students to foundational art skills through drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, mixed media, and introductory digital art. Students learn the elements of art and principles of design while exploring a variety of materials and techniques, building confidence in their own artistic expression. Original artwork inspired by personal experience, imagination, and observation is paired with the study of famous artists and cultures from around the world. Students take creative risks in a supportive studio environment through both individual and collaborative projects. |
| 7TH GRADE INTRO TO SYMPHONY |
| 7th Grade Intro to Symphony builds on the skills students developed in 6th grade and applies them within a full symphony setting. Students receive full symphonic instruction as well as instruction in sectional settings, and the course is open to all band and percussion instruments. With the exception of a select few larger instruments, students provide their own instrument. Students participate in an end-of-semester performance. |
| 7TH GRADE PERFORMING ARTS EXPLORATORY |
| 7th Grade Drama strengthens students' foundational acting techniques through more challenging improvisation, scene work, and character development. Student autonomy increases through creative decision-making and collaborative script interpretation, as students refine vocal expression, physical acting, and emotional authenticity. Students analyze and perform monologues and partner or group scenes with greater depth, developing rehearsal discipline, constructive peer feedback, and ensemble collaboration along the way. The course explores the creative process from rehearsal through performance, culminating in a semester performance that demonstrates growing artistic confidence and technical skill. |
| 7TH GRADE VISUAL ARTS EXPLORATORY |
| 7th Grade Visual Art expands students' technical skills through increasingly complex projects in drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, mixed media, and digital art. Students apply the elements of art and principles of design with greater independence, planning original works that communicate personal ideas and creative solutions. The study of influential artists, historical movements, and diverse cultures informs students' artistic choices as they refine craftsmanship and explore their individual voice. Students participate in constructive critiques and collaborative projects within a positive studio environment. |
| 8TH GRADE SYMPHONIC WINDS AND PERCUSSION |
| 8th Grade Symphonic Winds and Percussion allows students to build on the skills developed in Intro to Symphony as part of the Upper School Symphonic Winds and Percussion ensemble. Students strengthen their technique, music reading, performance skills, and ensemble maturity through a high school-level ensemble experience. The concert season includes multiple school and outside performances, in which students perform both as a winds and percussion ensemble and with the full symphony. Students must provide their own instrument, and the class meets four times per week. |
| 8TH GRADE SYMPHONIC STRINGS |
| 8th Grade Symphonic Strings allows students to build on the skills developed in Intro to Symphony as part of the Upper School Symphonic Strings ensemble. Students strengthen their technique, music reading, performance skills, and ensemble maturity through a high school-level ensemble experience. The concert season includes multiple school and outside performances, in which students perform both as a string ensemble and with the full symphony. With the exception of a few large instruments, students provide their own instrument, and the class meets four times per week. |
| 8TH GRADE PERFORMING ARTS EXPLORATORY |
| 8th Grade Drama refines advanced acting techniques through character analysis, monologue performance, scene study, and ensemble work. Students are encouraged toward independent artistic decision-making, leadership, and creative ownership throughout the rehearsal process, applying advanced vocal, physical, and emotional performance techniques to communicate character and story effectively. Students collaborate as an ensemble while taking increasing responsibility for rehearsal preparation and performance quality, analyzing scripts and making informed performance choices using theatre vocabulary and technique. Through reflection, critique, and revision, students build confidence as performers, culminating in a semester performance that demonstrates artistic growth, collaboration, and polished stagecraft. |
| 8TH GRADE VISUAL ARTS EXPLORATORY |
| 8th Grade Visual Art challenges students to demonstrate proficiency across a wide range of artistic media, selecting techniques that best communicate their artistic intent. Students design original artwork that reflects personal voice and conceptual thinking, evaluating and refining their work through an intentional artistic process. Analysis of diverse artists, cultures, and historical periods informs students' own work as they develop advanced craftsmanship and independence in studio practices. Students participate in meaningful critiques, collaborate on creative projects, and build a portfolio that showcases their technical growth and artistic identity. |
IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL, WE VALUE CULTIVATING CREATIVITY IN EACH STUDENT — IN THE CLASSROOM AND BEYOND.
As students progress into seventh and eighth grade, their choices continue to expand. They can decide whether to commit to a full year or just one semester.
Because faculty teach both Middle and Upper School, students have the opportunity to be in a teacher's class from the time they enter fifth grade until they walk across the stage at graduation.
Mount Pisgah is proud to offer many competitive school sports teams for our Middle School students.