UPPER SCHOOL
4th - 6th Grade
The upper school at MSW (grades 4-6) builds upon the the experiential based learning in the lower grades. Teachers in our upper school work closer with students to prepare them for a strong middle school transition. Our teachers utilize inquiry-based curriculum as well as are empowered to build their our own unique projects aligned with Common Core standards meeting or exceeding state and national standards. Our science curriculum is anchored by Mystery Science and is built on the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) which has become the foundation for all modern science education. In mathematics, Common Core standards are pursued in a way that embraces collaboration, Singapore mathematics, and learning through engagement making our math curriculum unique to MSW.
Out integrated Humanities approach combines both traditional ELA as well as social studies, anchored by an inquiry based social studies curriculum, complemented with daily journaling, grammar, writing, and spelling skill development.
The Upper School at the Mountain School at Winhall is focused on fostering a sense of creativity, curiosity, and kindness for students that will lead them onto a successful path as lifelong learners.
Curriculum
The curriculum, small class sizes, and student support at the Mountain School allows for its teachers to focus on meeting the needs of each student while also creating a thematic, and often interdisciplinary, approach to learning. At any given time it is not uncommon for students to be learning about topics that they engage in through different lenses in history, science, STEAM, or mathematics.
The Upper School curriculum also integrates a heavy focus on building literacy skills and all teachers at MSW are trained in the Penn Literacy Network or PLN approach to integrating literacy into their classrooms. We believe that strong reading and writing skills are a foundation for a student's success in their future academics and we are committed to developing these skills at our school.
Inquiry-Based Learning
In the Upper School, inquiry-based learning invites students to ask meaningful questions, investigate complex ideas, and make connections across disciplines. Guided by our curriculum framework, students engage in hands-on, discussion-driven learning that builds critical thinking, collaboration, and a deep understanding of the world around them. Explore our full curriculum guide here.
