Middle School

WTA’s Middle School curriculum is designed to help students develop essential executive function and critical thinking skills while supporting their academic, social, and emotional growth. Students practice goal setting, self-direction, collaboration, and problem solving, while gaining a better understanding of how they learn best.

The Judaic Studies curriculum relies on a Beit Midrash model that encourages respectful questioning while improving Hebrew fluency and comprehension. Each student works closely with a mentor teacher who supports their middle school journey, both academically and with respect to their social-emotional needs.

Our dynamic general studies curriculum sparks curiosity through hands-on, project-based learning. In English, History, and Science, students tackle real-world challenges, analyzing literature, reenacting history, and conducting investigations to build critical thinking and communication skills. Math instruction builds strong foundations, advancing through Pre-Algebra to Algebra 1 by 8th grade. Students leave ready for high school — and ready to lead.

General Studies

  • With a mix of classic and contemporary literature, the English curriculum moves students from reading comprehension to analysis, while also helping them build critical writing and communication skills.

  • Algebra, geometry and applied math for real-life scenarios are explored in self-directed and collaborative learning projects to build critical thinking and logic.

    Our middle school math program is designed to build strong skills, deep understanding, and confidence at every grade level. In Grade 5, students continue with Dimensions Math, rooted in the acclaimed Singapore Math approach, fostering problem-solving and number sense. Grades 6 and 7 engage with Reveal Math, blending conceptual learning, procedural fluency, and real-world applications through interactive, collaborative lessons. Grade 8 students complete Algebra I with Illustrative Mathematics, preparing them for high school success. Each program is chosen to support growth, continuity, and a love of math.

  • Building on scientific method, middle schoolers explore real-life dilemmas, from extreme temperature survival to challenges of space travel. Students learn to think critically, ask questions, and devise proposals for how to address real issues.

    This hands-on, inquiry-based program weaves together life, physical, and earth sciences, encouraging students to ask questions, investigate phenomena, and apply scientific thinking to real-world challenges. Through experiments, collaborative projects, and data-driven exploration, students build a strong foundation in science while developing curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

  • The Social Studies curriculum builds on the lower school’s foundation of state and national history, bringing Jewish history into the larger scope of global and American history.

Judaic Studies

  • Hebrew comes to life through engaging lessons – holidays and weekly Torah portions, songs and stories, Israeli culture, and prayers – so that students not only learn to read, write, and speak, but also experience Hebrew as a natural part of their everyday lives.

  • In middle school, students focus on Shmot, Vayikra, Bamidbar and Devarim, honing their textual analysis skills through a values-based curriculum.

  • Beginning with mishna, students are onboarded to the world of Talmud. Each grade level has one primary area of focus (Brachot, Pesachim, & Bava Metzia), also exploring other texts related to the calendar year.

  • Each grade has a theme for the year (Tefillah, Brachot, Shabbat), with additional special days of learning around holidays, visiting speakers, and hot topics. We utilize a structured, Halacha curriculum that introduces practical, applicable life-skills Halachot to our students — empowering them to think deeply about their everyday mitzvot and actions, and to connect their learning directly to the way they live each day.

Extracurriculars

  • All middle schoolers attend gym class 2-3 times a week to build strength, conditioning, and coordination. For students interested in team sports, WTA has basketball, and soccer teams.

  • The whole school is involved in celebrating each bar and bat mitzvah, surrounding the student with love and joy. WTA facilitates the learning of Jewish ritual skills in our annual B'nai Mitzvah family event, grounding the process in our core values.

  • The vast majority of our students are admitted to their first choice High School. Administrators walk alongside student and family every step of the journey, helping students begin to envision who they want to become and identifying which schools align with their strengths, goals, and interests. The WTA team serves as guides for the students as they prepare for applications, interviews, essays, and school visits.

Support Services

Sophie Dobin serves as our school social worker, addressing all social-emotional needs throughout the building. A graduate of Yeshiva University’s Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Sophie brings a combination of warmth, energy, and expertise to her work. She has hands-on experience supporting students in school settings, working side by side with teachers to help children thrive both academically and emotionally. Sophie is passionate about building trusting relationships and creating a safe, supportive space where every student feels heard and valued.

Ingrid Hauptman is the Director of Middle School Student Services. With a background in special education and IEP development, Morah Ingrid is deeply familiar with advocating for and implementing systems and services for student learning. Under Morah Ingrid’s leadership, students' needs are assessed, in consultation with both parents and teachers, to determine what supports would best meet each student’s needs. Morah Ingrid offers resources, group work, and one-on-one support for executive functioning, skill-based remediation, as well as general curricular support.