Middle School (6-8)

Head of Middle School

At Rocky Mount Academy, middle school is an exciting journey filled with opportunities to explore, learn, grow, and lead. These three years are a time of tremendous social, emotional, physical, and academic growth as students develop their unique identities, discover their passions, and become active contributors to their communities. Our passion is building meaningful relationships while creating an environment where every student feels valued, supported, challenged, and empowered to reach their full potential.

Our middle school curriculum is designed to inspire curiosity, encourage critical thinking, and prepare students for future success. In addition to our core curriculum, students participate in engaging elective and exploratory courses that broaden their perspectives and foster creativity. Our Global Studies courses introduce students to diverse cultures and global perspectives, helping them develop empathy, cultural awareness, and a deeper understanding of the world around them.

Middle School Curriculum

Sixth Grade
Core Courses: English, Math, Physical Science, World Geography, and Literature 
Co-Curricular Courses: Art/Career Readiness, Physical Education/Health, and Drama (Trimester Rotation)

Seventh Grade
Core Courses: English, Pre-Algebra, Life Science, and American History 
Global Studies: African Cultures, Latin American Cultures, and German Cultures (Trimester Rotation) 
Co-Curricular Courses: Art/Career Readiness, Physical Education/Health, and STEAM (Trimester Rotation) 

Eighth Grade
Core Courses: English, Algebra I, Earth Science, and Civics 
Global Studies: Exploratory Spanish, Exploratory French/Career Readiness, and Global Issues (Trimester Rotation)
Co-Curricular Courses: Music, Physical Education/Health, and STEAM (Trimester Rotation)

Career Readiness Pathway
Beginning in sixth grade, students participate in our innovative Career Readiness Pathway, a program designed to help them discover their strengths, interests, and future possibilities. Through weekly trimester courses, students explore career pathways, develop leadership and workplace skills, strengthen communication, collaboration, critical thinking, financial literacy, and goal-setting abilities, and connect classroom learning to real-world careers. Guest speakers and career exploration activities empower students to make informed decisions as they prepare for high school, college, careers, and life beyond the classroom.

Character Development
Our weekly Chill & Chat sessions provide dedicated time for students to build essential life skills through discussions and activities centered on character education, conflict resolution, coping strategies, study and organizational skills, time management, resilience, self-awareness, healthy relationships, digital citizenship, and preparation for upper school. These sessions help students develop the confidence and character needed for lifelong success.
 

Clubs & Leadership
Students are encouraged to discover new interests and develop leadership skills through a variety of extracurricular opportunities, including Noetic Math, Junior Historian, Student Government Association, Junior Beta Club, Chorus, Violin, Eagle Ambassadors, and more.  

Athletics
Middle school students may participate in football, cross country, soccer, basketball, swimming, tennis, baseball, softball, and track and field. Participation in athletics promotes teamwork, discipline, perseverance, leadership, and sportsmanship while encouraging healthy lifestyles.

Field Trips
Learning extends well beyond the classroom through overnight educational field experiences. Sixth-grade students travel to Wilmington, North Carolina; seventh-grade students explore Washington, D.C.; and eighth-grade students travel to Virginia. These immersive experiences allow students to connect classroom learning with history, science, government, and culture while creating lasting memories with classmates.

At Rocky Mount Academy, we value curiosity, independence, compassion, resilience, and integrity. We are committed to developing confident learners, critical thinkers, compassionate leaders, and responsible citizens who are prepared for the challenges, opportunities, and responsibilities they will encounter in high school, college, and life.

RMA is a great place to be! We look forward to partnering with your family during these exciting middle school years. If you have any questions about our program, please feel free to contact me.

Debbie Viverette
Head of Middle School
Rocky Mount Academy
dviverette@rmacademy.com
252-443-4126 ext. 225
 

Explanation of Grading System

Academic assessment in the Middle School uses percentile averages that are based on the following criteria:

90 – 100    Indicates that a student is excelling in several if not all of the following: skill development, application of skills, sustained and effective use of knowledge, frequent contribution to class discussion, and initiative by going well beyond standard requirements and expectations.

80 – 89      Indicates that a student is excelling in fulfilling requirements and expectations in some areas and displaying competence in many areas.

70 – 79      Indicates that a student is satisfactorily fulfilling the requirements and expectations, sometimes exceeding or falling below them.

65 – 69      Indicates that a student is not satisfactorily fulfilling the requirements and expectations in many areas.

Below 65   Indicates that a student is not fulfilling basic requirements and expectations.

Honor Roll and Special Honors

The Honor Roll celebrates the high level of academic achievement earned by our students and serves as encouragement for continuing to strive for academic excellence. All honor roll students receive personal recognition from the school for their success. 

Trimester Awards: At the end of each twelve weeks, the following awards are given: 

Headmaster's List: Students have earned a 90 or above average in each course for the trimester. 

High Honors: An overall grade average of 90 or above, with no individual course average below 70. 

Honors: An overall grade average of 80 or above, with no individual course average below 70. 

Yearly Awards: At the end of the school year, the final honor rolls will be named. 

Straight A Honor Roll: No trimester grade below 90 in any course. This will not include exams. 

A Average Honor Roll: The average of all courses of 90 or above with no individual course average below 70 at year’s end. 

B Average Honor Roll: The average of all courses of 80 or above with no individual course average below 70 at year’s end. 

The Headmaster’s Award: Given at the end of the year in each grade to the student with the highest academic average in all graded courses after proper weighting. Failing a course or an exam for any grading period makes a student ineligible for any yearly honor roll. To be eligible to receive the Headmaster’s or departmental awards, a student must have been enrolled a minimum of half a year at Rocky Mount Academy.