7th and 8th grade

Middle Years

Learning with Confidence and Curiosity.

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A time to lead, reflect, and grow with purpose

Adolescence is a time of rapid change and meaningful potential. Our Montessori Middle Years program is designed to meet students where they are—socially, emotionally, and academically—while preparing them for what’s next.

In a community built on trust, challenge, and compassion, students explore big ideas, pursue meaningful work, and discover their own voice. They learn to think critically, manage their time, collaborate with others, and take pride in who they are becoming.

Why Families Choose Middle Years at St. Stephen’s

  • A safe, respectful environment during a transformative stage of growth
  • Experienced teachers who know how to guide, mentor, and support teens
  • Challenging, interdisciplinary, real-world curriculum with voice, choice, and relevance
  • Skill-building in writing, research, public speaking, and leadership
  • Preparation for high school, including executive functioning and test readiness
  • Off-campus learning, nature immersion, and entrepreneurship opportunities
  • Conveniently located in Montrose

Inside the classroom

Four students sitting together and smiling in a classroom
Independence in Action

Students use daily planners and long-term work calendars to organize their time, set goals, and meet deadlines. They make decisions, advocate for themselves, and reflect on their progress, with guidance from their peers and teachers who support both accountability and autonomy.

Personal reflection, quiet journaling, and peaceful contemplation are woven into the day, helping students develop emotional regulation and a sense of identity. In addition to individual growth, our program emphasizes collaboration and community. Students engage in group work that fosters communication, cooperation, and shared problem-solving. A thematic, interdisciplinary approach allows them to make meaningful connections across subjects, deepening their understanding and fueling curiosity.

Students move into more abstract concepts with courses including Pre-Algebra, Algebra, and beyond. Regular practice, opportunities for applied learning, exams, and study routines support fluency, while deep conceptual understanding remains at the core.

Through labs, projects, and hands-on exploration, students study life science, physics, and chemistry. They investigate topics such as cellular biology, genetics, human anatomy, ecology, earth cycles, evolution, the periodic table, states of matter, chemical reactions, atomic theory, energy and work, Newtonian physics, and the human impact on Earth.

Students read, write, and speak with purpose. Genres include memoir, narrative, fiction, persuasive writing, drama, poetry, research, and creative writing. Weekly literature circles and writing workshops build skill, voice, and confidence.

Integrated studies in U.S. and world history, world religions, and geography spark critical thinking and global awareness. Students engage in collaborative projects, dialogue, and advocacy, often connecting academic content to social justice themes

Personal World is a course designed to help students explore their identity, values, and sense of purpose. Through quiet meditation, reflective writing, meaningful discussions, and engaging texts like The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens, works by Brené Brown, and more, students build self-awareness and essential life skills. This process empowers adolescents to understand who they truly are, what they stand for, and how they want to show up in the world.

Students plan and run small businesses, learning about budgeting, decision-making, marketing, and teamwork through hands-on entrepreneurship.

Students engage in a two-year program that includes high school counseling, essay writing, interview practice, and portfolio development. Just as important, they build life skills like organization, time management, and self-motivation.

Day trips and overnight excursions deepen community bonds and expand learning into the world. Students spend time in nature, practice outdoor skills, and develop independence and environmental stewardship.

St. Stephen’s graduates leave Middle Years prepared for the academic, social, and emotional challenges of high school. They know how to manage their time, advocate for themselves, think critically, and lead with integrity.

Our alumni go on to excel at top private, public, and magnet schools in Houston, bringing with them confidence, curiosity, and a strong sense of who they are.