Social development is a vital part of the academic experience. By narrowing the age ranges in each academic and social setting, kids can be kids just a little longer, creating small, close-knit environments that nurture their development. The three divisions provide the appropriate amount of support and independence, with dedicated counselors and activities.
The 6-7 division shines with the boundless enthusiasm of middle school students. Our incredibly broad range of academic and extracurricular offerings fosters intellectual, social, and emotional growth, and we relish our unique role as chief community builder for children coming from more than 50 elementary schools each year. The foundation of the 6-7 experience is a strong community, and students move to the upper school knowing they will be valued.
Collaboration is at the heart of the 6-7 division. We use a team approach to teaching and advising, and we schedule units and activities that allow many opportunities for interdisciplinary work. Students move through a rigorously engaging curriculum of academic subjects each year with many areas of crossover. They learn critical skills in each content area, and they also take advantage of dozens of extracurricular offerings in the arts, athletics, and many student-led clubs. They become ingenious problem solvers, compassionate thinkers, and fearless doers, comfortable confronting challenges that don’t yet have specific answers.
In order to encourage academic risk-taking and discourage needless competition, we largely de- emphasize grades in the 6-7 division, and progress is communicated through the use of detailed narrative reports each quarter. We work diligently with each student to develop the skills necessary for success in the upper school and in life, such as advocacy, independence, and imaginative self-expression, and that work is always rooted in the notion of what it means to be a Charger.
Pods & Families
The sixth and seventh grades are divided into two pods each – juniper and pinon in sixth grade and red chile and green chile in seventh grade. Pods are split into smaller family groups – about 10 students each headed by a teacher – that meet every day and have lunch together. Students from different families are mixed into course-based groups, which encourage interaction and allow them to enjoy a flexible class schedule and travel to class as a unit.
The 6-7 division, nestled in its own campus on the west end of Albuquerque Academy, is an exciting and unique program that mixes exceptional academic standards with authentic opportunities for social and emotional growth. Between our wonderful range of classes, our grade-wide activities, our sports, clubs, and extracurricular offerings, our experiential education opportunities, and our divisional esprit, our sixth- and seventh-grade students learn what it means to live our school’s mission and to become Chargers!
The essence of our program is our relentless focus on the individual needs of every student, and the result is a happy, healthy, and inclusive community that is excited and ready to contribute to the wider world. I invite you to check out all that is happening in the 6-7 division, and I’m certain you will find it to be a truly magical setting for the middle school years!
History 6: American Studies Part One
(Early America – 1900)
History 7: American Studies Part Two
(1900 – Present)
Math 6: Mathematical Reasoning or Pre-Algebra 6: Investigations in Algebra
Pre-Algebra 7: Foundations of Algebra or Algebra 7: Principles of Algebra
Science 6: Unlocking the World of Science
Science 7: Life on Planet Earth
Additional Classes, Options, and Curriculum Offered Throughout the School Year
Grade 6
Grade 7
Art 6: Explorations in Art
Art 7: Voyages
Computers 6: TechApps
Computers 7: S.T.E.A.M.
Counseling: Emotional Intelligence
Counseling: Emotional Intelligence
Community Service: two all-class service projects
Community Service: small-group service projects
Drama 6: Intro to the Creative Process
Experiential Education: 6th Grade Days
Experiential Education: WOW Week
Performing Arts options: band, chorus, dance, guitar, orchestra
Performing Arts options: band, chorus, dance, guitar, orchestra, theatre
Physical Education 6: Healthy for Life
Physical Education 7: Skills and Strategies
Sustainability in the Desert Oasis Teaching Garden
The 8-9 Division
The 8-9 division provides a developmentally appropriate setting that broadens students’ perspectives and sharpens them intellectually while being sensitive to the particular issues that this age group can experience. In many ways, we are a bridge from the non-graded and less-fluid social groupings of the seventh grade to the full high school experience that our students will encounter beginning in 10th grade.
We aim to increase both their privileges and responsibilities in the classroom, in social settings, and in our extracurricular programs. We begin to integrate discretionary time, when students may choose to complete homework, socialize, or enjoy some downtime, helping them develop time-management skills and learn to make good choices.
While we are conscious of our place as the middle division for our students, the 8-9 division does much more than simply taking in the eighth graders while helping ninth graders move on. We have the great pleasure and opportunity to help students move from a more self-centered identity to one that evinces a broader and more inclusive perspective. We are conscious of the hormonal changes of this age group and the social, emotional, and cognitive impacts, and we strive to provide a safe environment that allows them to try on different personas, knowing that they will discover what feels authentic.
The 8-9 division bridges the non-traditional structure and close supervision of the lower school and the more traditional, college-preparatory structure of the upper school. The foundation of teaching and guidance in the 8-9 division is a developmentally appropriate curriculum, emphasizing personal and academic growth in a safe and structured environment.
With a burgeoning sense of wisdom and self, students in 8-9 begin to define themselves as independent actors in the world around them. We gradually increase privileges and responsibilities in the classroom, in social settings, and in extracurricular programs. We begin to integrate discretionary time when students may choose to complete homework, socialize, or enjoy some downtime, helping them develop time-management skills and learn to make healthy, responsible choices. Students are also encouraged to seek new challenges and persevere in the face of the inevitable setbacks inherent to this complicated life stage. Ever conscious of hormonal changes and the social, emotional, and cognitive impacts, we strive to provide a safe environment that allows students to discover what feels authentic so they can move from a more self-centered identity to one that evinces a broader and more community-minded perspective.
I invite you to explore all the 8-9 division offers. You’ll find a robust academic program coupled with a well-rounded, developmentally appropriate approach to social-emotional education that tends to the whole child.
Pre-Algebra/Algebra 8, Algebra 8, Algebra I/Geometry 8; Especially advanced students may test to be admitted into higher-level courses.
Algebra I, Algebra I/Geometry, Geometry/Algebra II 9; Especially advanced students may test to be admitted into higher-level courses.
Physical Science Through Modeling
Biology or Chemistry
Chinese I, French I, German I, Japanese I, Spanish I; One Level I option for Chinese, German, and Japanese is offered every year.
Chinese II, French II, German II, Japanese II, Spanish II
Dance Foundations: Dance I, Concert Band, Chorus I – Vivace, String Consort, Classical Guitar I, Theatre Foundations; Advanced dance and guitar students may test to be admitted into higher-level courses.
Foundation in Art
Dance Foundations: Dance I, Global Dance Odyssey II, Global Dance Odyssey III, Dance Technique II, Dance Technique III, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, Chorus I – Vivace, String Consort, Chamber Players, Classical Guitar I, Classical Guitar II, Classical Guitar III, Music Technology, Fundamentals of Music Theory, Theatre Foundations, The Big Picture, Acting Intensive, Multi-Disciplinary Musical Theatre, Stagecraft
Foundation in Art, Ceramics I, Drawing and Painting I, Graphic Design I, Photography I, Sculpture I, Video Art I (semester), Video Art II (semester)
Two seasons/semesters of athletic team participation, physical education, or combination
Two seasons/semesters of athletic team participation, physical education, or combination
Health Issues 8
Ex Ed: activity-based excursion
Ex Ed: small-group, coeducational, backcountry wilderness trip
Community Service: one shift of on-campus service; two all-class, half-day service initiatives
Community Service: one shift of on-campus service; one off-campus, small-group service project
The 10-12 Division
The 10-12 division fosters the development of independence and responsibility essential to thriving as a college student and an adult. Students find the academic courses rigorous, and those who wish to challenge themselves with college-level work take advantage of the broad array of advanced and AP courses. Classroom experiences are dynamic and lively. Our faculty members are experts in their content areas and work tirelessly to prepare rich classroom experiences. They emphasize critical thinking and the ability to support ideas effectively, and many classes are taught seminar-style. Time is carved out of the schedule each cycle to accommodate speakers, class meetings, advising, learning seminars, and community-building activities.
Two of the hallmarks of the 10-12 division are the partnerships that regularly form between faculty members and students and the deep affection and respect that grows from those partnerships. Students regularly visit faculty members outside of class to seek extra help, to elicit support for a club or activity, or simply to get personal advice.
The course load for students in grades 10-12 is five or six academic courses not including physical education and health classes; independent study and Global Online Academy courses count toward the total of five or six classes.
The 10-12 division fosters the development of independence and responsibility essential to thriving as a college student and an adult. We serve students of talent and character by offering an education that broadens their perspectives, sharpens their minds, strengthens their bodies, and engages their hearts. Students find the academic courses rigorous, and those who wish to challenge themselves with college-level work take advantage of the broad array of advanced and AP courses.
The division offers myriad opportunities for learning outside the classroom. Our numerous theatrical productions, performances, and concerts provide multiple outlets for artistic expression. The Academy also supports a competitive athletics program, an outdoor education curriculum, and a variety of student-led clubs. In addition, the division’s advisory program facilitates the development of strong relationships between students and faculty members. Faculty advisors serve as advocates for students and as points of contact for parents.
With all that the Academy offers, students design their own experiences in the 10-12 division that align with their individual interests and needs.
U.S. History, AP U.S. History, or Advanced American Studies
One additional credit
Three years through at least Algebra II/Trigonometry, Advanced Trigonometry/Precalculus, or Advanced Trigonometry/Precalculus for BC
One credit in biology, one credit in chemistry, and any full-year science course or combination of semester courses
At least Level III of a foreign language
One year of performing or visual arts, if not taken previously
Two semesters of physical education, two seasons of athletics, or one of each
In rare circumstances (e.g., medical challenges or late matriculation), some seniors may need to fulfill the PE requirement. They should consult with the department chair.
Health Seminar 10
College Knowledge: Planning
College Knowledge: Decisions
College Knowledge: Transitions, Senior Retreat
Community Service: one shift of on-campus service; begin Commitment to Service project
Community Service: one shift of on-campus service; complete Commitment to Service project
Community Service: one shift of on-campus service
Senior Project
New student overnight in Bear Canyon before school begins
New student overnight in Bear Canyon before school begins
New student overnight in Bear Canyon before school begins