The Ridgefield Academy Middle School consists of our 4th and 5th grades. This intermediate division is based on our belief of the need for a developmental transition from the traditional elementary style classrooms in our Lower School to the more advanced subject specific schedule of our Upper School. The 4th and 5th grade years are a time when students’ minds and social awareness are expanding beyond the elementary years. All children travel through this period at different rates and it is our experience that keeping these two years connected is the best developmental pairing. We feel that our Middle School students, though beyond second and third grade, need not be immersed in the preadolescent culture so prevalent in any 6th-8th grade institution such as our Upper School. This two-year home we call Middle School allows our students to obtain the necessary skills and confidence they need to transition comfortably into sixth grade. Our focus in Middle School is based on obtaining the habits and skills that will form the academic structure for learning; structure so necessary for future success. At the same time we gradually expand the social experiences that will help students grow and transition into the more complex life of the Upper School. Our Lower School offers home-room based classrooms where students work closely in one main classroom and rotate for Specials. In fourth grade we expand this model to two main classrooms in addition to Specials and in fifth grade we advance this one step further to three main classrooms plus Specials. In addition to our core academic program, the Ridgefield Academy community emphasizes the education of the whole child as can be noted by our other required programs that include: Foreign Language, Music, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Physical Education, Computer, and Community Service.  After looking through our website, please call for a visit.  We would love to show you around in person. Joseph Perry Head of Middle & Upper School