A Year of Wonder
Fifth grade at SLS is all about discovery—in your learning, your sense of belonging, and yourself.
You’ll ease into Middle School with support, structure, and just the right amount of stretch as you begin to grow into new routines and responsibilities. With small classes and teachers who really know you, you’ll have a voice in the classroom and plenty of chances to use it.
It’s a year full of wonder: a time to dive into learning, build lasting connections, and begin imagining who you might one day become.
From the Classroom: A Peek Inside 5th Grade English
Wondering what learning really looks like in 5th grade? Visit Mrs. Juran’s blog for a window into the day-to-day rhythm of reading, writing, and reflection at SLS.
Learning with Purpose
At SLS, learning isn’t about memorizing facts; it’s about asking good questions, following your curiosity, and making meaningful connections between subjects, people, and the world.
In English, you’ll build a portfolio of original poems with guidance from a nationally renowned poet. In history, you’ll step into the role of a museum curator, researching Native American tribes, writing creation myths, and crafting pottery inspired by indigenous artists. You’ll even take your learning off campus, raising sails and testing water quality aboard the SoundWaters schooner as part of our hands-on Life Science unit.
At the end of the year, you’ll tackle your biggest challenge yet: a self-directed Passion Project that blends research, writing, creativity, and presentation. Whether you choose to study kangaroos, climate change, ballet, or Taylor Swift, you’ll grow your skills as a researcher and communicator and take pride in sharing what you’ve learned with others.
Explore. Engage. Discover.
Fifth graders enjoy a dedicated wing of the school—a home base that provides comfort and community.
But your experience reaches far beyond those walls; you will dive into the full range of SLS offerings, including our:
- State-of-the-art makerspace (the “designLab”)
- Fully equipped art studios
- Expansive, light-filled, technology-rich library
- Performing arts, and a wide variety of after-school clubs and activities
Along the way, you’ll also start building two key foundations:
Much More Than Class Time
From combat robotics to chess, from athletics to theater, 5th graders at SLS take part in a wide range of activities that will help you grow, connect, and discover new interests.
Clubs, offered twice a week during the school day, give students the chance to try something new in a relaxed, low-stakes setting. After school, required co-curriculars run four days a week and offer deeper engagement in the arts, sports, performance, and academic teams. These experiences build confidence, spark new passions, and are a core part of the Unmissable Middle School life at SLS.
Storm Buddies
Big-Kid Mentors, Little-Kid Joy
Because SLS includes grades 5–12, our youngest Middle School students are welcomed into a broader community from day one. In our Storm Buddies program, each 5th and 6th grader is paired with a 12th-grade buddy for the school year, offering encouragement and simple, joyful friendship. Whether it’s teaming up for Halloween or just having someone older to look up to, Storm Buddies create bonds that make SLS feel like home.
