Academics

Middle School

Where Girls Feel a Sense of Belonging

Our innovative Middle School program, which includes Grades 6, 7, and 8 is rooted in research and best practices that best engage girls intellectually, socially, emotionally, physically, and spiritually during the pivotal pre-teen and early-teen years. The Middle School at SMLS is a place where girls feel a sense of belonging and community and develop the skills and knowledge to be successful in Senior School.

At SMLS, our work supports each Middle School girl as she:

Contributes to her school and local community
gives back by developing an awareness of issues and being a part of the change
Demonstrates compassion and empathy for others
conducts herself in a way that promotes respect, inclusion, and safety for herself and others
Grows from opportunities for adventure
develops new skills through exposure to outdoor education or travel
grows by sharing a cabin or hotel room with those who may not be a part of her usual circle of friends
Strives to reach her personal best in the academic program
sets high expectations for herself in collaboration with her teachers
regularly reflects on strengths and next steps to reach her goals
Takes responsible risks and challenges herself
tries out for teams, auditions for theatre productions, applies for leadership opportunities and participates actively in school life
reflects on these experiences and develops increased understanding of herself, her passions, and her interests
Thinks critically about issues and topics and explores her curiosity
applies critical thinking skills and responds to opportunities to stretch her thinking
is developing a sense of social justice

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Did you know?

At SMLS, Middle School girls design, build, and program robots. They work collaboratively to solve problems, create, and program Lego Mindstorm EV3 and other robots during science classes. Senior School girls act as robotics mentors, assisting Middle School girls throughout the process.

Every Middle School girl learns to code. Throughout the year, girls participate in coding sessions that equip them with a fundamental understanding of coding and its applications. In today's world, this is a critical skill that will support girls in their future educational journeys and their careers.

Did You Know?

SMLS is a connected community. "Big and Little Sisters" from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 meet formally and informally throughout the school year, with carefully curated opportunities for the younger and older students to get to know and connect with one another on an ongoing basis.

This is one of the many benefits of a school that spans kindergarten to graduation. Middle School girls are matched with "little sisters" in Kindergarten and Grade One. This is an excellent leadership and community-building experience for our Middle School girls.

Frequently Asked Questions

List of 5 frequently asked questions.

What does the academic & global citizenship programming look like at SMLS?

Our enriched academic programming challenges and engages girls at their own varied starting points. The program balances traditional core concept teaching with inquiry-based and project learning that integrates themes across multiple subject areas. Students are able to reach ahead, earning up to two high school credits (Mathematics and Integrated Arts) in Grade 8.

Throughout the year, girls have the opportunity to participate in a variety of challenges to test their academic abilities which, depending on the year, may include math and computing contests, the CIS Junior Speech Competition, CIS Ontario Design Thinking Challenge, Kids Lit Quiz, music festivals, dance festivals, and more. These experiences help to further build on the confidence that girls are developing every day in the classroom.

Opportunities for adventure within Ontario, as well as outside the province and internationally, are offered across all three years of Middle School under the leadership of our renowned Global Citizenship Department.
What co-curriculars are available?

A strong focus on academics coupled with involvement in co-curricular activities makes for a well-rounded student. We encourage girls at every age and stage to participate in their choice of co-curricular clubs and activities, and offer a wide assortment to choose from. Involvement with peers in such activities outside the classroom creates a stronger sense of community and school spirit, and naturally helps to forge new friendships. It also challenges the girls to explore their passions and discover new interests.
What opportunities exist to connect with other schools, including co-ed schools?

COSSOT is a Coalition of Single Sex independent schools of the greater Toronto area. Member schools include St. Mildred's-Lightbourn, Bishop Strachan, Branksome Hall, Crescent School, Havergal College, Royal St. George's, St. Clement's, St. Andrew's College, Sterling Hall, Trafalgar Castle, Upper Canada College, and St. Michael's College School. Together we plan a variety of age-appropriate events and determine guidelines for these activities. All Middle School COSSOT events are fully supervised by staff and Prefects from participating schools.

In planning these events, one of the objectives at the Middle School level (Grades 7 and 8 only) is to provide opportunities for students to meet and socialize with other students from a variety of schools. The number of students able to attend each event varies, and as a result, each participating school is allotted a predetermined number of spots. Often, we have more interest than spots and, therefore, must place limits on the number of girls who attend. A lottery system is used to select names of girls to attend events when there are more interested girls than spots available. Effort is made to ensure that each girl is able to attend at least one event, if she so chooses.
How do we support social & emotional development?

Girls in Middle School are in the midst of one of the greatest times of change in their lives. Our Middle School Homeroom Teachers understand how girls develop, and are dedicated to creating a safe and caring learning community where girls are comfortable being themselves.

Our Circle of Care Team includes School Teachers, School Heads, Guidance Counsellors, Learning Strategists, Nurses, and Social Workers. This team works to develop a school climate where all of our girls can thrive, and supports students and their families in a variety of ways.

Our weekly whole school and Middle School-focused Chapels and assemblies, led by our School Chaplain and Middle School Head, empower girls to strive to be their best, have a voice, demonstrate leadership, and celebrate their personal and collective successes.
How do we create community at SMLS?

Millies of every age and stage learn the importance of service and generosity, and come to understand that the positive impact is far-reaching, both locally and globally. In addition to making girls aware of the needs of others, it also brings to light the fact that they can make a difference in the world.

A strong sense of community is important to us at SMLS, and with programs such as our weekly whole-school Chapels and our Big Sister, Little Sister initiatives where our Middle School girls develop relationships with Junior and Senior girls, as both "big" and "little" sisters.

Middle School girls have many opportunities throughout the year to support charities and organizations such as Breast Cancer Awareness and Fundraising, Kerr Street Mission, Halton Women’s Place, Meals on Wheels, Oakville Conservation and a variety of other school and student-led initiatives.

Student involvement in these and other initiatives help support Middle School girls with the completion of our very own SMLS "Junior Duke" Award Program award, by earning service hours. And more importantly, they help instill a strong sense of community and philanthropy at a young age. The Junior Duke Award Program encourages students to meet challenges in four areas: Physical Activity, Adventurous Journey, Service, and Skills/Hobbies and acts as a stepping stone to participating in the Duke of Edinburgh Award in Senior School.