Rigorous Academics
Students are challenged to think critically, solve problems creatively, and apply their learning in meaningful ways.
Where students discover who they are and who they can become
middle School for Grades 6–8
Middle School is a transformative time when students begin to discover their strengths, explore new interests, and connect their learning to the world around them. At Miami Country Day School, students are challenged academically, encouraged to think independently, and supported by a community that knows them well. Through rigorous academics, meaningful relationships, leadership opportunities, and hands-on experiences, they develop the confidence, curiosity, and character to thrive in Upper School and beyond.
Middle School at a Glance
Innovation in Action
Engineering, robotics, artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, virtual reality, and design thinking come together in the Garner Center for Innovation.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
COEP, experiential learning, domestic and international travel, and project-based experiences connect classroom learning to the real world.
A Community of Belonging
The House System builds friendships across grade levels while fostering leadership, school spirit, and a strong sense of community.
Personalized Pathways
Electives, arts, athletics, technology, leadership opportunities, and more than twenty clubs allow every student to discover new passions.
Ready for Upper School
Students leave Middle School as confident learners, effective communicators, compassionate leaders, and engaged global citizens.
By the Numbers
50
Average Middle School Electives
19
Middle School Athletic Teams
14
Citizenships Represented
19
Countries of Birth Represented
14
Languages Spoken at Home
A Welcome Message from dr. rouhanifard,
director of middle school &
external partnerships
“Middle school is a place to be known and valued, to feel safe enough to take meaningful risks, and to be challenged enough to discover just how much you can grow.”
Academic Excellence with Purpose
Academic excellence in Middle School is built on curiosity, challenge, and meaningful connections. Students are encouraged to ask thoughtful questions, think critically, and apply what they learn in authentic ways. Across every discipline, learning becomes increasingly collaborative, analytical, and connected to the world beyond the classroom. As students grow in confidence and independence, they develop the habits of successful learners while preparing for the opportunities and expectations of Upper School.
English
English
Students become thoughtful readers, confident writers, and effective communicators through literary analysis, authentic writing, discussion, and research.
Highlights:
- Reading & Writing Workshop
- Literary Analysis
- Research
- Evidence-Based Writing
- Speaking & Communication
Mathematics
Mathematics
Students strengthen mathematical reasoning through inquiry, collaboration, and increasingly complex problem-solving. Honors pathways allow students to accelerate based on readiness and demonstrated mastery.
Highlights:
- Mathematical Reasoning
- Problem Solving
- Honors Pathways
- Real-World Applications
- Critical Thinking
Science
Science
Science courses encourage students to investigate the natural world through inquiry, experimentation, and analysis. Students develop scientific thinking while applying their learning to real-world questions and emerging challenges
Highlights:
- Inquiry-Based Learning
- STEM Investigations
- Environmental Science
- Sustainability
- Hands-On Labs
Social Studies
Social Studies
Students examine geography, history, civics, and culture while developing historical thinking and becoming informed global citizens.
Highlights:
- Geography
- American History
- Civics
- Global Perspectives
- Historical Inquiry
Technology & Engineering
Technology & Engineering
Students apply engineering design, coding, robotics, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies to solve authentic challenges.
World Languages
World Languages
Students strengthen language proficiency while developing intercultural understanding through authentic communication and global exploration.
Arts
Arts
Visual arts, theatre, dance, and music inspire creativity, collaboration, confidence, and artistic expression.
Discover What Moves You
Middle School is where students begin shaping their own educational journey. As they grow in confidence and independence, they make meaningful choices about how they learn, create, compete, and contribute.
Whether designing robots, performing on stage, competing in athletics, exploring engineering, serving through National Junior Honor Society, participating in Model UN, or creating original projects in the Garner Center for Innovation, students discover interests that inspire them while building the confidence to pursue them. With a growing selection of electives, clubs, leadership opportunities, travel experiences, innovation programs, and extracurricular activities, every student is encouraged to explore new possibilities while developing the curiosity, resilience, and independence that prepare them for Upper School and beyond.
Grades 6-8 DNA Strands
In Middle School, students are invited to explore their growing sense of self while becoming more aware of the communities, perspectives, histories, and systems that shape their world. The DNA Strands support students as they strengthen relationships, think critically about fairness and belonging, listen to experiences beyond their own, and develop the confidence to contribute meaningfully to their communities. A wide range of elective courses, advisory programming, leadership opportunities, and service-learning experiences help students connect classroom learning to real-world challenges. Through collaboration, reflection, and global engagement, students develop the confidence and skills needed to become thoughtful leaders and active global citizens.
Grade 6
Grade 6
Belonging to and Impacting My Community
Students explore what helps people feel welcomed, accepted, and connected, and learn how they can contribute to an inclusive community. They reflect on the communities they are part of and consider how their words, choices, and actions affect others. Students practice building inclusive relationships, honoring shared agreements, and recognizing that each person has a role in creating a community where others feel valued, respected, and included.
Grade 7
Grade 7
Understanding Stories Beyond My Own
Students deepen their capacity for empathy by exploring the experiences, identities, and stories of others. They learn to listen with curiosity, question assumptions, and recognize that every person’s perspective is shaped by lived experiences that may be different from their own. Through discussion, literature, inquiry, and reflection, students develop a greater appreciation for human diversity and consider how understanding stories beyond their own can lead to more compassionate, equitable, and connected communities.
Grade 8
Grade 8
Honoring the Past to Better Shape the Future
Students examine how history, identity, culture, and past experiences influence the present and shape possibilities for the future. They consider whose stories have been centered, whose voices have been overlooked, and how individuals and communities can learn from the past. As they prepare to transition to Upper School, students are encouraged to think critically, act responsibly, and imagine how they can help build a more fair, inclusive, and hopeful future. Students consider how their voices and actions can create positive change.
Explore our house SYSTEM
Hibiscus
Hibiscus
Joy & Loyalty
Hibiscus celebrates the joy of being part of a community and the loyalty that grows through friendship, teamwork, and shared experiences.
Iguana
Iguana
Curiosity & Creativity
Iguana encourages students to stay curious, think creatively, and bring new ideas and energy to their House community.
PALM
Science
Courage & Resilience
Palm represents the courage to take on challenges and the resilience to keep growing, learning, and supporting one another.
Shores
Shores
Community & Calm
Shores reflects the strength of community and the calm that comes from knowing you belong, are supported, and have a place to contribute.
More than a competition
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Beginning in Grade 6, every student becomes a member of one of four Houses: Hibiscus, Palm, Shores, or Iguana. Each House includes students from every Middle School grade, creating friendships that extend beyond classrooms and helping every student feel connected from their very first day. Throughout the year, students earn House points by demonstrating the MCDS Core Values, participating in Spirit Week, engaging in Community Time activities, supporting school events, and encouraging one another.
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Friendly competition, shared traditions, and collaborative experiences build school spirit while strengthening relationships across grade levels.
More than a competition, the House System creates a culture of belonging where students learn to lead, serve, celebrate one another, and contribute positively to the Middle School community.
Beyond the Classroom
Learning continues well beyond the academic schedule.
EI²
Athletics
Performing Arts
National Junior Honor Society
Leadership
Clubs and Societies
Signature Middle School Experiences
Traditions that strengthen friendships, build confidence, and create lifelong memories.
These shared experiences become defining moments of the Middle School journey, helping students discover new strengths, celebrate milestones, and build lasting connections with their classmates and school community.
Gateway Jr.
G8Way
Spirit Week
Reflections Ceremony
All-School Sing-Along
Grade trips 6th, 7th and 8th grade
Supporting Every Student
Middle School is a time of tremendous academic, social, and personal growth. Through advisory, counseling, learning support, and the Student Success Network, students receive individualized guidance that helps them build confidence, strengthen resilience, and achieve their full potential.
- Student Success Network
- Counseling
- Learning Support
- Advisory
- Social-Emotional Learning
Ready for Upper School
By the end of eighth grade, students leave Middle School with far more than academic knowledge. They have developed confidence in their abilities, discovered new passions, strengthened their independence, and learned to think critically, collaborate effectively, and lead with purpose.
Whether they are presenting innovative projects, leading their House, exploring new cultures through travel, or preparing for advanced coursework, students enter Upper School ready to embrace new opportunities with curiosity, resilience, and confidence.
