t h e m a s t e r s s c h o o l • a c a d e m i c p r o g r a m

T H E M I D D L E S C H O O L

A Message from Head of Middle School

The middle School at The masters School provides a tremendous learning

experience. The academic program is engaging, exciting, and challenging, pushing

young people to stretch their talents and intellect.

our educational philosophy sets us apart from other schools. Fifth grade boys and

girls learn together in small groups, while grades six through eight learn in single-

gender classes. Throughout all four years in the middle School, students participate

in hands-on projects and intensive class discussions that help build critical and

creative thinking skills.

our exceptional teachers also distinguish us. They genuinely enjoy working with

adolescents and utilize teaching techniques and curricula that are particularly

successful with middle schoolers. You can learn much about our faculty and our

program in this guide, or by visiting our school and watching learning in progress.

Everett “Doc” Wilson Head of Middle School

Our Mission

The masters School provides a challenging academic environment that encourages

critical, creative, and independent habits of thought and a lifelong passion for

learning. The masters School promotes and celebrates academic achievement,

artistic development, ethical action, athletic endeavor, and personal growth. The

School maintains a diverse community that encourages students to participate

actively in decisions affecting their lives and to develop an appreciation of their

responsibilities to the larger world.

School Administrators

Head of SchoolMaureen Fonseca, Ph.D.

Head of Middle SchoolEverett “Doc” Wilson

Assistant Head of Middle SchoolPeter Hourigan

Dean for GirlsHeather Sherman

Dean for BoysRobert Schleimer

Athletic CoordinatorSusan Greally

Middle School Administrative AssistantKelly Torielli

Associate Head of School for Faculty Affairs and Program DevelopmentAdriana Botero

Director of Enrollment and Financial AidChris Downs

Associate Head of School for Institutional AdvancementTim Kane

Director of Business and FinanceChristine Schwegel

Director of Athletics and Physical EducationKevin Versen

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I N t r o D U c t I o N

Our Middle School engages children in grades five through eight in a learning

experience that enables them to reach their full and unique potential. The fifth

grade provides a highly interactive co-ducational learning experience; grades

six through eight are taught in single-gender classrooms—an optimal learning

environment for both boys and girls.

at each grade level, faculty members work in teams to implement a comprehensive

academic program around a central theme. This helps students recognize the

context and relevance of what they’re learning and greatly enriches their learning

experience.

Advisory

all middle School students are matched with a faculty advisor at the beginning

of every academic year. The advisor—usually a grade-level teacher—advocates on

behalf of students as they navigate academic and social challenges. in small groups,

advisors discuss issues related to friendship, leadership, stewardship, self-image,

popular media, and decision-making. consistent with our single-gender learning

model, the advisory program is led by the dean for girls and dean for Boys.

Experience-based learning

We believe it’s important that children see how their lessons relate to the real world

outside the classroom. So at every grade level, The masters School incorporates

field trips that bring learning to life. In the middle school years, adventures include

many enriching opportunities, some of which are listed here.

School Expeditions

Sloop Clearwater

Ellis Island

Metropolitan Museum of Art

Lincoln Center Backstage Tours

The Lower East Side Tenement Museum

Hudson River Museum

Museum of Chinese in the Americas

“Bodies” Exhibit at South Street Seaport

Challenger Space Museum

Westchester Forensics Lab

Philadelphia History Tour

Phillipsburg Manor

Stony Point Battlefield

Sunnyside (Washington Irving’s Home)

Seining in the Hudson River

Canoeing on Constitution Marsh

Bird Watching Trips

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Humanities: English & History

english and history stand at the center of our rigorous interdisciplinary

humanities curriculum. These two subjects are linked thematically, with

each grade level focusing on a specific topic or concept. Short- and long-term

interactive and interdisciplinary projects challenge students at each level.

as students progress through the middle School they continue to strengthen

skills and acquire new ones. in english, they advance in reading comprehension,

writing, literary analysis, speech, and grammar. in history, they learn how to

think critically about past events and analyze the relationship between cause and

effect while refining their research skills and organizational abilities. Students

also develop note-taking skills and become adept users of primary and secondary

sources, library and information technology, the internet, and resources

outside of school.

Fifth Grade

Fifth graders focus on egypt and greece, looking at the physical, spiritual, and

reasoning qualities that define and shape humanity.

The literature they read is thematically related to their social studies, allowing

them to make important connections and improving their comprehension and

literary analysis skills. in ongoing writing workshops, students complete a series

of creative writing projects that develop individual skills and writing styles,

which they employ in their yearlong opera project.

Beyond improving grammar, vocabulary, and the mechanics of writing, fifth

graders participate in discussions and debates. They have significant long-term

projects, which require ongoing organization and synthesis.

Sixth Grade

Since The masters School is sited above the Hudson river, it makes sense that

the sixth grade english and history curriculum uses the river and region as its

theme. Students explore american history through the lens of the people and

events that shaped the Hudson river Valley, examining how the valley both

affected and reflected the development of the United States. Frequent trips to

nearby historical sites augment classroom learning.

english class incorporates literature from the region, enhancing students’

understanding of the area’s history and introducing them to its rich literary

tradition. Students read a variety of literary genres from different eras and

write both creative and analytical compositions. They also participate in regular

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Humanities Faculty

Tim CampbellB.A., Knox College

Colleen CarrollB.A., Ithaca CollegeM.A., Syracuse UniversityM.S. Ed., Fordham University

Mary ChappellB.A., Loyola University of ChicagoM.Ed., Long Island University

Paul FriedmanB.A., Brown University

Margaret GeorgeB.A. and M.A., Fordham UniversityM.S. Ed., Bank Street College of Education

Stephen HildrethB.A., Boston CollegeM.A., George Mason University

Heather ShermanB.A., Regis CollegeM.Ed., Bank Street College of Education

Mark A. TamucciB.A., Purchase College, SUNYM.A., Manhattanville College

Everett “Doc” WilsonB.A., St. Francis UniversityM.Ed., Tufts University

writing workshops, building a strong foundation in the fundamentals of

grammar. By working on group and individual projects, students continue

to hone their research skills, learn techniques for effective collaboration,

and develop proficiency in public speaking.

Seventh Grade

Seventh grade study revolves around the theme of diversity and identity.

Students learn about United States immigration, explore their own family

histories, examine and connect with other cultures through literary

analysis and historical research, and discover the social factors behind

our identities. They use and analyze news media to explore relevant

social issues and step out of the classroom to explore what the world

has to offer—particularly New York city. as they expand their views

of the world, our seventh graders continue to strengthen their skills in

grammar, reading comprehension, research, and studying. The curriculum

emphasizes writing and critical thinking skills and strategies necessary for

success in the Harkness classrooms of the Upper School.

Eighth Grade

Building on the interdisciplinary coursework of the sixth and seventh grade

curriculum, eighth grade english and history examine american identity.

engaging hearts and minds alike, the english curriculum focuses on issues

of justice and morality, especially as these themes pertain to adolescence

and coming of age. The class gives special attention to writing: both creative,

through the use of reaction sheets and writers workshop, and expository,

typically discussing a book read together by the class. Further, the class

emphasizes analytical reasoning, close reading skills, and oral presentation

through daily discussion.

eighth grade history explores the formation and evolution of american

identity over the last 500 years. in particular, the class considers various

facets of freedom and the benefits and burdens it implies. Considerable

attention is given to constitutional issues and the duties of citizens. at the

same time, economic interpretations of history are given substantial weight.

Several times during the course of the year students participate in historical

simulations, immersing themselves in critical historical moments such as the

constitutional convention.

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Mathematics Faculty

Eliot BloombergB.A., University of VirginiaM.B.A., New York UniversityM.S. Ed., Long Island University

Pam BorowiecB.A. and M.S. Ed.,College of New Rochelle

Lauren DiamanteB.A., Quinnipiac UniversityM.A.T., Stony Brook University

Anne FrostB.A., Vassar CollegeM.Ed., University of Hartford

(John) Peter HouriganB.A., College of WoosterM.A.T., Quinnipiac CollegeC.A.S., Southern Connecticut State University

Mathematics

The middle School math program enables students to solidify and expand their skill

base while challenging them with projects that connect math to their world. during

class, experiential and exploratory activities foster open communication. The class

discusses different problem-solving strategies, with each unique learner contributing

ideas and putting them into practice. This cooperative atmosphere encourages

students to share ideas openly and to propose solutions. By solving application

problems, students connect concepts to the “real” world. They become strong

problem-solvers and critical thinkers, gaining confidence in their mathematical

abilities. in addition, technology serves as a vital component of the math curriculum,

enhancing the learning experience and providing additional challenges for students.

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Fifth Grade

Fifth grade mathematics challenges students to strengthen skills and integrate

their understanding of whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and percents by solving

investigative problems. The children explore measurement and coordinate geometry,

and they work cooperatively to design creative solutions to complex problems.

manipulatives give them a concrete understanding of the topics, preparing them to

use these concepts in their lives.

Sixth Grade

Students in the sixth grade explore concepts in geometry, fractions, decimals, ratio,

proportion, percent, perimeter, and area. The curriculum “spirals,” continually

reinforcing each skill so that students make connections between topics as they

reinforce their understanding of concepts. The curriculum places a strong emphasis

on computational accuracy.

Students complete critical-thinking projects using statistics and apply their new

skills throughout the year. classes are grouped by ability based on the results of

a placement test. advanced students will cover content at a faster pace, including

exploration of elements of pre-algebra.

Seventh and Eighth Grade

all students have the opportunity to place into a mathematics course that provides

them with the most appropriate challenge. course type and level vary depending

on the results of placement tests, but students can expect to be placed into basic or

advanced pre-algebra, or basic or advanced algebra. The most advanced students

will be considered for geometry.

All sections are single-gender. Specific content and pace will vary, but all courses are

designed around the New York State and national curricular standards.

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Science

The middle School science program achieves two primary goals. First, we give

students a working knowledge of the scientific method as a systematic approach to

problem-solving. and second, we help them develop connections between what they

learn in the classroom and their lives beyond it. We take a discovery approach to

learning because students learn best when they uncover relationships and ideas for

themselves. in the laboratory we stress objectivity in observation, accuracy in data

gathering and recording, and analysis and presentation of data.

Fifth Grade

The fifth grade curriculum concentrates on six major topics: astronomy,

weather, sound, light, the sun and moon, and botany. each is addressed with an

interdisciplinary approach and a foundation in the scientific method of inquiry.

Students learn cooperative and individual laboratory behavior, scientific dialogue

and discussion skills, data analysis, and the ability to formulate conclusions and

associations based on their observations. each student is given an opportunity

to demonstrate understanding of material through both constructed research

assignments and performance-based assessments. Students are encouraged to share

prior knowledge and ideas as they expand their investigation and critical thinking

skills necessary for further studies of science.

Sixth Grade

The sixth grade science course focuses primarily on earth science. The students

begin by examining the structure, properties, and states of earth’s water and look

at how water is responsible for altering earth’s land surfaces. They also explore how

water can be used as an alternative energy resource.

Next, students investigate the key characteristics of earth’s interior, focusing on

rocks and minerals and how they make up the different features found on our planet.

The children analyze the ideas of continental drift, sea-floor spreading, and plate

tectonics; determine how and why the continents have changed positions throughout

history; and learn how plate movement relates to earthquakes and volcanoes.

during the spring the curriculum shifts to life science, integrating and supporting

the students’ work in humanities. Students learn how to classify the Hudson river’s

planktonic, nektonic, and benthic organisms into their respective taxonomic

categories. They explore the energy flow in Hudson River ecosystems and the

relationships among producers, consumers, and decomposers. Finally, students

examine the human impact on the Hudson river ecology.

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Science Faculty

Nancy GormleyB.S., SUNY at OswegoM.S., National University

Daniel RussoB.S. and M.S., St. John’s University

Robert SchleimerB.S., New York UniversityM.S., Mercy College

Heather ShermanB.A., Regis CollegeM.Ed., Bank Street College of Education

Seventh Grade

in seventh grade, students gain a detailed understanding of living systems. They

build on basic principles by exploring cell structure and function, cell processes and

energy, cellular organization, and change as a result of the transmission of genetic

information from generation to generation. They explore the history of biological

thought and the evidence that supports it, providing the foundation for investigating

biochemical life processes, cellular organization, mechanisms of inheritance, and the

change in organisms over time.

Students also learn human biology, studying bones, muscles, skin, digestion,

circulation, respiration, excretion, the nervous system, the endocrine system, and

reproduction. They conduct laboratory experiments, write formal reports, and

develop skills including organization and mathematical analysis of data, manipulating

variables in experimentation, and identifying sources of experimental error.

Eighth Grade

eighth grade science is a skills-based course designed to prepare students for the

advanced science courses they will take in the Upper School. With an emphasis on

developing understanding through investigation and critical thinking, students work

with the equipment and tools that are found in high school science labs. Students

cultivate their scientific literacy, learn to make conclusions based on evidence and

data, and work on developing metacognitive skills. cooperative group work as well

as active learning experiences are keystones of this course. Some of the topics are

scientific measurements, properties of matter, energy, electricity, magnetism, forces,

motion, gravity, simple machines, and conservation of mass and energy.

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Modern & Classical Languages

The middle School language program is a three-year experience introducing students

to the fundamentals of language acquisition and the linguistic elements of the target

language. all students take a full year of Latin, and then two years of a language

selected from our four offerings: French, Latin, mandarin, or Spanish.

Sixth Grade

Because Latin is fundamental to language study, this is how we begin. in introduction

to Latin, students become able to understand the common elements of Spanish,

French, and english. coursework covers Latin vocabulary and grammar with

emphasis on elements also reflected in the English curriculum. We explore these

concepts through rich discussions about roman culture including transportation, city

life, society, gladiators, and slavery. While the immediate goal of this introductory

course is to achieve reading ability in Latin, the ultimate objective is to improve

students’ ability to acquire any foreign language—ancient or modern.

Seventh Grade

The language students choose for their seventh grade year—French, Latin, mandarin,

or Spanish—carries through into eighth grade. in order to offer this wide of a range

of languages, enrollment in all sections is co-educational. These Level a courses

emphasize self-expression and cultural insight through the reading, writing, listening,

and speaking skills of the target language. course content relies heavily on cultural

studies and traditions.

Eighth Grade

Level B courses in French, Latin, mandarin, and Spanish renew emphasis on

reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills as both the pace and expected

proficiency increase. Students pursue deeper and richer study of the history, culture,

and traditions of native speakers. By the end of their two-year language experience,

successful students are ready to place into Upper School accelerated French 2, Latin

2, mandarin 2, or Spanish 2 courses. New students admitted to the eighth grade

have the opportunity to test into the language of their choice at the start of the school

year. Seventh grade Level a courses will be available to any students needing them.

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Language Faculty

Keith KitchenB.A., Pennsylvania State UniversityM.A., University of Texas at AustinM.A.T., Hunter College (CUNY)

Molly LoriB.S., University of MichiganM.P.H., University of MichiganM.A., Middlebury College

Abdoulaye NgomB.A., M.A., Gaston Berger University, St. Louis, Senegal

Richard SimonB.A., Stony Brook UniversityM.A., New York UniversityM.Phil., New York University

Shudan YehB.A., Queens CollegeM.A., New York University

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Music

integral to the interdisciplinary curriculum, the music program ties into established

themes in conjunction with the other classes. Students learn to read and notate

music; to listen to, analyze, and describe music; and to evaluate music. most

importantly, students develop an ability to utilize music to understand themselves

and others, which builds a deeper level of empathy for fellow human beings.

Fifth Grade

Students complete a basic unit of study on music theory including note-writing and

reading, key signatures, and time signatures. Students explore basic keyboard and

computer composition and participate in an experiential study of opera. This study

culminates in a project in which students write and perform an original opera.

Sixth Grade

Sixth graders start the year with a review of basic music theory. Later they explore

folk music, particularly that of the Hudson river Valley, and examine societal,

political, and cultural influences on music. A group project creates a cycle of five folk

songs describing colonial life in the Hudson river Valley. The year concludes with a

personal music history project about music influential in the students’ lifetime.

Seventh Grade

in conjunction with the seventh grade curricular theme of diversity, this year covers

world music history, featuring analysis of multicultural music through listening,

game songs, folk dance, and discussions. Students learn about music from africa,

Central and South America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and Asia. A final project

investigates each student’s musical heritage.

Eighth Grade

Eighth graders study American popular music styles including film scores, musical

theater, folk, bluegrass, country, blues, jazz, rock, and rap. They complete two

interdisciplinary projects: a visual poem of philadelphia and another visual essay

combining humanities, art, and music classes. The year ends with two comprehensive

projects, one of which is the production of an arts expo with original songs written

and performed by student bands.

Music Faculty

Jennifer CarnevaleB.M.E., Jacksonville University M.A., Teachers College, Columbia University

Katie MeadowsB.A. and M.A., New York University

Chris MillsB.A. Northwestern University

Middle School Winter Concert

Middle School Students

from all grades work toward

a choral concert prior to

Winter Break that features

a variety of musical styles.

The repertoire is chosen to

complement course studies.

Students learn about live

performance, teamwork, and

the preparation involved in

presenting a production.

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Visual Arts

Fifth Grade

Students visit the metropolitan museum of art to explore the ancient egyptian and

greek Halls. a yearlong collaborative project incorporates visual art with history and

creative writing. Students write scripts on ancient cultures in their humanities classes

and transform their scripts into an opera in music class. in their visual arts class,

they create rod puppets of their characters as well as backdrops and props, and they

rehearse their performance. at the end of the school year, the students put on their

original opera for their parents.

Sixth Grade

To enhance their focus on the Hudson river Valley, students study the Hudson river

School of art. They create their own watercolor landscapes inspired from photos

from their field trips. Other projects include the creation of a hand-sewn quilt while

studying American folk art, and designing a presentation for a site-specific sculpture

at the dobbs Ferry Waterfront park.

Seventh Grade

The seventh grade students are given the opportunity to work with the upper

school art instructors as well as the middle school art teacher. They explore artistic

disciplines including foundation drawing, ceramics, and digital photography. Tied

in with their ongoing investigation of identity and diversity, students write an artist

statement explaining the artistic choices they make in relation to their chosen

essential question.

Eighth Grade

armed with digital cameras, the students explore philadelphia and other historic sites

by taking a series of images with thoughtful content and composition in a triptych

format. Back in the classroom they create a thirty-second presentation using their

photos and original music they produce in their music classes. in their humanities

classes, they write artist statements to explain their work as it relates to their yearlong

theme of american identity. The year culminates with the students curating and

displaying their own visual artworks in the eighth grade arts expo.

The middle School visual arts

program provides a creative

environment in which students

explore visual communication

in two- and three-dimensional

forms. They gain hands-on

experience with a broad range

of materials and techniques

while working on projects

designed to develop craft

as well as cognitive skills

related to thematic grade-level

investigations.

Students work in a variety

of artistic disciplines

including drawing, painting,

photography, and sculpture;

and they learn and use the

elements and principles of

design as they explore their

creative potential. The children

keep art journals to monitor

their progress throughout the

year, and assessments are

based on effort rather than

ability level. our goal is for our

visual arts students to develop

and expand their artistic

voice while gaining a better

understanding of self and their

relationship and responsibility

to the world community.

Art Faculty

Bruce RobbinsB.F.A., Purchase College, SUNY

Vince GalganoB.A., Columbia University

Cheryl HajjarB.F.A., Massachusetts College of ArtM.F.A., Pratt InstituteM.A.Ed., Teachers College, Columbia University

Stephanie MestyanB.A., Bennington CollegeM.A.T., Manhattanville College

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Technology

The computer science program gives students valuable technical skills and enables

them to put their abilities to use with the resources in our campus network. much of

the coursework relates directly to projects in other disciplines so that students can put

their learning to good use. at the same time students are often involved in computer

science projects and exercises that remain exclusively within the domain of this

discipline. at the end of the two-year computer science curriculum students emerge as

confident users of information technology software, hardware, and network resources

and are ready to use these tools in meeting future academic challenges. in addition to

our fully-equipped computer labs, we maintain computer carts with macs and pcs to

support teachers and students with in-class assignments and projects.

Fifth Grade

In the fifth grade, computer science begins by introducing students to the school

network and familiarizing them with skills such as using a network printer, saving

files on the school server, and accessing school email from remote locations. Once

students gain proficiency in these basic tasks, they learn more of the intricacies of PCs

and Macs as well as productivity software such as Microsoft Office. Students complete

their first year of computer science with several research projects involving various

internet search engines.

Sixth Grade

After a review of skills acquired in the fifth grade, the sixth grade computer science

curriculum is integrated with the Hudson River Valley focus of study. The first major

project, a biography, draws on a variety of computer skills with programs including

microsoft Word, photoshop, powerpoint, and internet research; and introduces

students to digital cameras and scanners. Subsequent projects involving the Hudson

river curriculum reinforce these skills, giving students a solid level of comfort with

their technical abilities.

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Physical Educationand Athletics Faculty

Kevin VersenDirector of Athletics and Physical EducationB.A., Lynchburg College

Susan GreallyMiddle School Athletic CoordinatorB.S., Boston University

Chris WadeB.A., Brown UniversityM.A., Duke University

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Physical Education & Athletics

athletics are crucial to the educational experience at The masters School. Beyond

providing physical exercise, sports teach teamwork, commitment, and perseverance.

Students acquire new skills and confidence. And they learn how to play the sports

that they’ll continue beyond middle school. our campus athletic facilities include

five expansive playing fields for lacrosse, soccer, field hockey, baseball, and softball,

a competition track, eight tennis courts, an excellent gymnasium for basketball and

volleyball, an outdoor basketball court, and fencing strips.

Fifth & Sixth Grade

Physical education class is required for all fifth and sixth grade students and is

included during the school day. The students participate in a variety of games and

physical activities to develop basic athletic skills and to experience the joy of playing.

Seventh & Eighth Grade

interscholastic team sports begin in grades seven and eight. practices are held

during the school day and games are played after school. Students may also take

dance to satisfy the athletic requirement. The following team sports are offered

each year.

BaseballBasketballCross CountryDanceFencing

Field HockeyLacrosseSoccerSoftballVolleyball

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The Masters School

49 Clinton Avenue

Dobbs Ferry, New York 10522

phone: 914-479-6420

Fax: 914-693-7295

admission@mastersny.org

mastersny.org

Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy:

The masters School admits students of any race,

color, national, or ethnic origin to all the rights,

privileges, programs, and activities generally available

to students at the School. it does not discriminate on

the basis of color, national, or ethnic origin, sexual

preference, or gender identity in administration of its

admission policies, educational policies, scholarship

and loan programs, and athletic and other school-

administered programs.

design: popKitchen co.

photography: Tom Kates,

Bob Falcetti, peter Finger,

dorothy Handelman,

anne marie Leone, rawn Fulton,

robert cornigans, renée Bennett,

and The masters School community

printing: panoramic group

www.mastersny.org

Field HockeyLacrosseSoccerSoftballVolleyball

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THE MASTERS SCHooL | 49 Clinton Avenue, Dobbs Ferry, ny 10522 | mAstersny.org | 914.479.6420