Middle School is a transformational time—where curiosity meets confidence and students begin to explore who they are becoming.
It’s a bridge between childhood and adolescence, and at Salisbury Academy, it's where the Jaguar Journey deepens. Students grow academically, socially, and emotionally, preparing them to live with purpose and lead with character. Small advisory groups offer personal mentorship, and across grades 5–8, our students build their voice, their vision, and their future.
Why Middle School Matters
Middle School is a pivotal season: a time to grow voice, vision, and heart. At Salisbury Academy, this phase of the Jaguar Journey is intentional, supported, and inspired by a culture that celebrates growth, connection, and purpose. Whether through advisory, electives, service, athletics, or field experience—here, Life Ready Begins.
Deepening Skills and Discovery
Grounded in the Core Knowledge Sequence, Salisbury Academy’s Middle School curriculum challenges students to think critically, write persuasively, and explore deeply across disciplines. From reading classics such as The Odyssey and Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl to mastering algebraic concepts, conducting hands-on science labs, and investigating world civilizations, students engage in rich, rigorous learning experiences that prepare them for high school and beyond while nurturing curiosity and a lifelong love of learning. The Middle School program is rounded out with Spanish language study, physical education, and music and arts classes, ensuring a balanced and whole-child academic experience.
Leading with Character
Middle school is when students grow not just academically—but as people of purpose.
Through advisory groups, buddy programs, service clubs, environmental stewardship, and athletics, Salisbury Academy Middle School students are encouraged to lead with integrity in all they do. Weekly advisory groups in grades 6–8 provide space for guidance, reflection, and community-building, while mentorship opportunities such as the 1st/8th grade book buddies foster responsibility and care across grade levels. Leadership and service come to life through participation in Junior Civitans, where students step into roles of influence at both school and regional events. Stewardship of the environment is also a central theme, with students engaging in hands-on projects that build responsibility for the world around them. On the field and court, athletics teach perseverance, teamwork, and sportsmanship, offering yet another avenue for students to grow as confident, compassionate leaders.
Growing Through Choice & Challenge
Middle School students at Salisbury Academy are given both the choice to follow their curiosities and the challenge to stretch beyond their comfort zones. A wide range of exploratory classes—from STEM to visual and performing arts, journalism, and healthy lifestyles—allow students to uncover talents, pursue new interests, and grow in confidence. Ample time for multiple recesses each day ensures students balance academic rigor with movement, fresh air, and play, supporting both wellness and focus. Opportunities such as the school spelling bee, annual school plays, and the Battle of the Books competition further enrich the Middle School experience, providing students with platforms to showcase their knowledge, creativity, and teamwork. Together, these experiences empower Jaguars to explore widely, think boldly, and grow as motivated learners on their journey to becoming life ready.
Experiencing the World Together
For Salisbury Academy Middle Schoolers, learning is a journey beyond the walls. Students participate in overnight field trips annually as well as many day excursions throughout the year—visiting places like theatres, YMCA camps, the Biltmore Estate, Historic Charleston, Colonial Williamsburg, Washington, D.C., Town Creek Indian Mounds, NASCAR Hall of Fame, and the International Civil Rights Museum—where academic concepts come alive through exploration, relationship-building, and real-world context. The Jaguar Journey also extends through guest speakers in classrooms and chapel, where leaders and professionals share their insights and experiences, connecting learning to life. Partnerships with local nonprofits provide additional opportunities for service and civic engagement, while experiences at local and regional cultural sites deepen students’ appreciation of history, the arts, and the diverse communities in which they live.