The English Program
English courses in the Middle School are literature-based reading and writing courses with supporting grammar, usage, and contextual vocabulary lessons. The main goal is to improve students’ reading and writing skills by immersing students in good literature and by asking them to respond analytically, critically, and creatively to what they read. Using the techniques for critical reading and writing, the students study short stories and a variety of novels in depth. Composition and grammar skills are strengthened through frequent writing assignments requiring response to reading.

The Mathematics Program
The mathematics program guides students through the transition from basic arithmetic to mathematics. The mathematics series emphasizes the investigation, discovery, and application of mathematics. It utilizes discovery learning as well as direct instruction, develops basic math skills, and promotes critical thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving skills. There is an opportunity for students to be accelerated to the next level, including Algebra I and Geometry, based on math placement testing, the previous year’s math grade, teacher recommendation, and standardized test scores.

The Science Program
Middle School science is an inquiry-based, hands-on program in which students learn the importance of "thinking like a scientist." Through laboratory exercises, cooperative learning, and individual projects, students learn to identify problems, formulate hypotheses, carry out experiments, and draw conclusions. The sixth grade focuses on life science, the seventh grade studies environmental and earth science, and the eighth grade explores physical and chemical science.

The Social Studies Program
The social studies program helps students to develop and strengthen basic skills in reading, writing, critical thinking, note-taking, and research, as well as in the proper use of technology. In sixth grade, students are introduced to a variety of world cultures, studying the geography, history, people, and current events of different regions. Seventh-grade students examine the history of the United States from Pre-Columbian times through the Revolutionary War. In eighth grade, students continue the study of United States history by examining the Constitution and the American government, as well as the Civil War. Eighth-grade students also explore the issues of racism, prejudice, genocide, and human behavior, using case studies from history and the present day.

The Latin and Foreign Language Programs
All sixth- and seventh-grade students study Latin at The Pennington School. The Latin curriculum for students in Grade Six includes Latin, mythology, and the history of ancient Rome. In Grade Seven, Latin emphasizes basic Latin syntax and grammar, including present, future, and past tenses; etymological word study; and enrichment. Roman culture and Roman and Greek mythology are also taught. The resulting two-year course of study is equivalent to Latin I. In Grade Eight, students may choose to continue the study of Latin by taking Latin II, or they may opt to take Spanish I, French I, or German I.