The Middle School Program
A balanced, healthy approach to high achievement for your 5th through 8th grade student in San Antonio, Texas.
The Middle School Program
The Middle School helps fifth through eighth grade students develop their intellectual abilities and nurtures their emotional and social development too.
Middle School Students Excel by all Measures
- Science fair projects routinely take top honors at the Alamo Regional Science and Engineering Fair and the Junior Academy of Science. Students advance to the Exxon Mobil State Science and Engineering Fair and the Broadcom Masters Invitational competition.
- Students regularly perform at the highest level of all independent schools in the US on the ERB CPT5, the standardized test recommended for accreditation by the National Association of Schools.
- Most Keystone middle schoolers regularly perform in Math Olympiads, a national math contest open to schools and institutions, often several taking top honors.
- Seventh and eighth grade students take top honors each year in the National French and Spanish Exams.
- Middle Schoolers field teams to participate in SA Smart, also called the Mayor’s K-12 Smart City Challenge. In the competition, student teams in middle and high school research a San Antonio-specific smart city problem and propose a strategy, product, or service as a solution.
- Middle Schoolers participate and routinely win honors in competitions that include Model United Nations, Science Bowl, MathCounts, and International Academic Competitions.
Keystone's Middle School Core Curriculum
Fifth and sixth grade students receive a measure of independence with a consistency in their routine. Students have the same core academics and teachers through both grades. Seventh and eighth grade students face increasing academic expectations. Core academic disciplines are English, history, math, and science. Students add electives to their course selections. Seventh-graders take a quarter each of Research and Computer Science, and a semester-long elective. Eighth-graders choose an elective each semester.
- Fifth grade course offerings:
- Math
- Science
- English
- Global Studies
- PE/Athletics
- Digital Art
- Theater
- Music
- Computer Science
- Spanish
- French
- Keyboarding
- Digital Citizenship
- All Middle School students receive Chromebooks as part of Keystone’s technology integration plan.
- Sixth grade course offerings:
- Pre-Algebra
- Science
- English
- Global Studies
- PE/Athletics
- Studio Art
- Theater
- Music
- Computer Science
- Spanish
- French
- Public Speaking
- Library & Introduction to Research
- All Middle School students receive Chromebooks as part of Keystone’s technology integration plan.
- Seventh grade course offerings:
- Algebra 1
- Science
- English
- US History
- PE/Athletics
- French I or Spanish I (Students take a two-year class of their chosen language in 7th and 8th grades.)
- Research
- Computer Science
- Seventh grade electives:
- Studio Art
- Debate & Public Speaking
- Film
- Music
- Digital Art & Animation
- Computer Science & Robotics
- Theater
- Creative Writing
- All Middle School students receive Chromebooks as part of Keystone’s technology integration plan.
- Eighth grade course offerings:
- Geometry
- Science
- English
- World Geography
- Spanish 1 or French 1 (Second year of two-year class.)
- PE/Athletics
- Eighth graders participate in advanced mathematics testing by taking the AMC8 and AMC10.
- Seventh and eighth grade electives:
- Studio Art
- Debate & Public Speaking
- Film
- Music
- Digital Art & Animation
- Computer Science & Robotics
- Theater
- Creative Writing
- All Middle School students receive Chromebooks as part of Keystone’s technology integration plan.
- Advisory is designed for learning social and emotional skills, including emotion management, self-regulation, empathy, communication and goal-setting. It provides time for students to develop caring relationships with teachers and form a constructive group of friends.
- Through circle discussions, team-building games, and creative activities, students interact in a small group, fostering a close bond of support and friendship.
- We know that adolescents develop as social beings, so we want to make sure our young people have opportunities to come together and have fun. We offer afterschool game nights, movie nights, mixers, dances, and outings at a nearby roller skating arena. These events help students see different sides of their classmates.
Exploring Creativity and Building Connections
Middle School students select enrichment activities that encourage them to explore their creativity and strengthen their abilities. The activities also provide social and collaborative opportunities for students.
Arts
- Arts instruction provides the foundation for a life-long appreciation of music, visual arts and theater arts. Fine Arts faculty are expert teachers and practitioners who inspire students to develop a passion for the arts. As they develop their critical thinking skills, they are supported to take creative risks and express themselves.
- Arts classes include Digital Art, Studio Art, and grade-level Music.
- Middle School students can participate in theatre. Each year, we put on a Middle School theater production, open to any student in 5th through 8th grades.
- Theater classes and music classes offer performances during dedicated events, and during the annual Keystone Fine Arts Festival.
Clubs
- Keystone Middle School offers more than dozen club opportunities within the Middle School, including opportunities such as MathCounts, Model UN, Robotics, Science Bowl, Hiking Club, French Club, Speedcubing Club, Clay Club, Book Club and Game Club.
Physical Education (5th - 8th)
- Physical education (PE) promotes daily movement, skill development and healthy choices to encourage them to maintain physical fitness for life.
- The PE program supports the growth, enjoyment and success for all students, regardless of athletic ability. Students participate in both team and individual fitness activities. Students are coached in sportsmanship.
- The athletic schedule allows for Keystone team practices to be held during the school day. Middle School students can either participate in PE or join one of the school’s athletic teams in volleyball, soccer, basketball, and track.
Outdoor Education
Outdoor Education is a cherished and long-standing Keystone School experience. All-class annual trips take students to different ecosystems across the U.S. Nature provides a valuable learning environment, whether for ecology projects or free exploration. Because the outdoors has a positive effect on students’ mental health, Outdoor Education is integral to the wellness program at Keystone School.
Middle School Schedule
- Fifth grade makes an overnight trip in the San Antonio-New Braunfels area. Students participate in team building and orienteering activities.
- The program expands each year in duration and intensity. Sixth grade and seventh grade go to locations in central Texas and the Hill Country, and partner with programs such as Nature’s Classroom Institute and The Outdoor School. Activities such as low and high rope element challenges promote teamwork, leadership and camaraderie. These grades study ecology and geography.
- Eighth grade journeys to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. Students camp in tents during their five night trip.
Schedule a tour with the Director of Enrollment Management
If you want an academically superior school with the support and opportunities for healthy student achievement, you will find the best fit at Keystone. Come for a campus tour and explore the Keystone community!
