Charles Wright
Academy
Middle School (5-8)
Middle School isn't just a transitional phase at CWA. It's an adventure!
While these years bring rapid change, our students don't just survive, they truly thrive through hands-on discovery, global trips, and a supportive community built just for them.
There is no better opportunity in the South Sound for your child than CWA.Current Middle School Family
The Year at a Glance
4 Electives Per Year
From Ornithology to Japanese Cooking.
3-4 Athletic Seasons
Every student participates in athletics, with a wide variety of sports and teams to join.
1 Overnight Trip
A signature experience for each grade, from domestic to international travel, students widen their horizons through our Experiential Education program.
1 Advisor
A trusted adult who knows your student and stays in touch.
Academics
The Middle School academic program prepares students to be curious, engaged, and active learners, growing in effective communication, sustained work, independent thought, and original expression. The academic program is designed to recognize and develop individual strengths as well as to build competence across a wide variety of areas.
Humanities
Big questions about the world — and about themselves. English, history, geography, philosophy, and economics woven together so students learn to build an argument, weigh evidence, hold more than one perspective at once, and find their own academic voice.
What that looks like: analyzing a primary source, debating an ethical dilemma, mapping the rise of a civilization.
Mathematics
Students grow into mathematicians who ask purposeful questions and stay with hard problems long enough to solve them. Multiple pathways to a solution are the norm here, and explaining your reasoning matters as much as reaching the answer.
What that looks like: modeling real-world data and financial scenarios, from Math 5 through Honors Geometry.
Science
Fifth graders start with a survey year — life science, earth science, astronomy, chemistry — then go deeper into each branch through grade 8. Lab skills, problem-solving, and the habit of investigating what you don't yet understand.
What that looks like: students building an identity as scientists, not just learning about science.
World Language
Spanish and Japanese, taught through immersion and real conversation. Studying another language expands a student's worldview, sharpens communication in every language they speak, and prepares them to work well with people whose experience differs from their own.
What that looks like: fifth graders sample both languages before choosing; grades 7–8 complete the equivalent of Upper School 100-level.
Visual Arts
Every student can become an artist, given time and the right challenges. Across diverse media and ambitious projects, students develop a creative voice, build real technical skill, and leave with a lasting relationship with making things.
What that looks like: grades 7–8 choose from painting, printmaking, ceramics, wearable art, digital fabrication, and yearbook.
Performing Arts
Choral and instrumental ensembles where each person's commitment shapes the whole group. No previous experience required — just the willingness to show up prepared, perform in public, and be part of something that only works together.
What that looks like: Band or Choir every year, with Advanced Band and Choir in grades 7–8, plus regional and state contests.
Experiential Education
Each year, students attend a multi-night overnight trip with their classmates as a signature experience for their year. The purpose of these trips is to enrich the Middle School curriculum while deepening personal connections through a variety of programs that range from service learning opportunities, travel experiences, and the development of new skills. Students will be exposed to a variety of settings, tasks, and challenges to foster and encourage perspective-taking and empathy-building, along with cultural competence, risk-taking, teamwork, flexibility, and adaptability.
Electives
Electives are quarter-long courses taught by Middle School faculty in a variety of subjects and areas. Electives meet twice per week, during the school day, and are an integral part of the Middle School experience. Some examples of electives offered are:
- Art Historians: Art is full of secrets! In this elective, students travel through time and across cultures to explore the stories behind some of the world's most famous - and most mysterious - works of art.
- Public Forum Debate: Can you make a convincing argument - even for a side you didn't pick? Students are introduced to one of the most popular formats in competitive debate.
- Robotics Lab: The perfect class to build confidence in coding, engineering, and problem-solving, while getting familiar with the types of challenges used in the FIRST LEGO League (FLL) season.
- Zoology: In this course, students explore the fascinating world of animal behavior through hands-on activities, research, and observation.
*This list is a sampling of what is offered in the Middle School. Students have the option to choose from 20+ elective courses throughout the school year!
Athletics
Charles Wright Academy believes that athletics and fitness are valuable learning experiences that are integral to a student's education. Middle School students participate in physical education courses every year during their time in the Middle School. These courses overlap with our Youth Sports and Middle School teams, allowing students to build their skills in specific sports as a part of their P.E. experience.
Youth Sports (Grades 5-6): Students in grades 5 and 6 have the opportunity to compete in the Youth Sports league. Students register through the CWA Auxiliary Programs department and can play on multiple teams throughout the year.
Nisqually League (Grades 7-8): Students in grades 7 and 8 have the opportunity to compete in the WIAA Nisqually League, which is an "A" level size league.
Fitness Courses: In addition to single-sport P.E. courses, the Middle School also offers fitness courses for students to build their physical health. These courses include weight training, conditioning, or sports that do not offer interscholastic competition, such as tennis and golf.
Athletic Offerings in the Middle School
|
Grades 5 and 6 |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Fall |
Winter Jan.-Mar. |
Spring Apr.-Jun. |
| Soccer | Basketball, Girls | Track |
| Tennis | Basketball, Boys | Flag Football |
| Cross-Country | Conditioning | Volleyball, Girls |
| Grades 7 and 8 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Fall |
Winter 1 Nov.-Jan. |
Winter 2 Jan.-Mar. |
Spring Apr.-Jun. |
| Cross-Country (WIAA) | Basketball, Boys (WIAA) | Basketball, Girls (WIAA) | Track and Field (WIAA) |
| Baseball, Boys (WIAA) | Soccer, Girls (WIAA) | Soccer, Boys (WIAA) | Intro to Tackle Football |
| Volleyball, Girls (WIAA) | Weights | Weights | Weights |
| Weights | Conditioning | Conditioning | Tennis |
| Golf | Racket Sports | Racket Sports | Golf |
Arts
Visual Arts
We believe that every student can grow into an artist, and we give them the dedicated time to do so during the school day. Through diverse media and challenging projects, students develop their creative voice and deepen their artistic abilities.
Performing Arts
There are two areas within the Middle School Performing Arts program: choral and instrumental (dramatic arts are housed in electives and extracurricular programs.) Previous experience in choral or instrumental music is not required for participation.
Note to music students: CWA is a member of the WIAA, and as such, can participate in regional and state-level solo and ensemble contests. Students may participate as long as they are enrolled in a regularly scheduled music class.
How We Stay Connected
Middle School is when students start managing more on their own. That doesn't mean families step back, it means the school keeps you informed while your student practices taking the lead. Here's a look at how that looks in practice:
Your Student's Advisor
Every student has an advisor who knows them well and serves as your first point of contact. Advisors track how students are doing across all of their classes - academically, socially, and everything in between, and coordinate with faculty and the Middle School team. You can call or meet with your student's advisor at any point in the school year.
Grades You Can See Anytime
Students view their assignments and cumulative course grades in Veracross whenever they want, and families have the same open access. No waiting for a report card to find out where things stand.
Progress Reports and Report Cards
At the end of the first and third quarters, students receive narrative comments in every subject describing their strengths and areas for growth. Semester report cards bring letter grades in grades 6-8, along with Student Responsibility scores - feedback on initiative, self-advocacy, engagement, classroom stewardship, organization, and time management. Student Responsibility scores do not impact letter grades, but they do tell you how your student is learning.
Student Updates
Faculty can send a student update at any time to flag something academic, social, or behavioral - or to celebrate a student who's doing exceptional work! Updates go to the student, their family, their advisor, and the Division Director, so everyone is working from the same information. Families are encouraged to talk through them with their student and reach out with questions.
Student-Led Conferences
Mid-semester, students present their own progress to their families. With their advisor's support, they prepare an overview of how their coursework is going, how they're doing socially and emotionally, and what they're working toward. It's their meeting to lead, and it's often the moment families see how much their student has grown.
When More Support is Needed
If a student is struggling academically or socially, we'll bring people together: the student, the family, the advisor, relevant faculty, and member of the Middle School Administration and Student Support Team. Families can request one of these meetings anytime. Partnership between home and school is how students learn to navigate their futures with confidence.