Middle School at Wheeler
A lot changes for students while they are “in the middle” of childhood and adolescence.
During that time, Wheeler helps each student build academic skill sets and curiosity to create a foundation for high school.
Parallel to academics, we understand adolescents want answers to their questions about themselves, the world and their place in it. And in ways that are safe for risk-taking and growth.
Our Goal
Success in the twin pursuits of academic and individual growth during the Middle School years (Grades 6-8) comes down to students expressing their curiosity, asking great questions, and then figuring out the ways to find the answers. These keys to success for adolescents are also the keys to preparation for high school and for lifelong learning; they may not realize it yet! Wheeler also recognizes that—in our rapidly changing times—the definition of a “classroom” is evolving. Today’s classrooms are now centers of collaboration, design, imagination, and production.
Our Faculty
The organization and temperament of our Middle School faculty ensure that we get to know our students. Advisors meet with their student groups daily and often more than once a day. Because much of each school day is spent with students in class, advisor periods, field trips, lunch, recess and at times on athletic teams, Wheeler teachers learn much about your student’s individual, social, and academic life. Advisors are organized into grade-level faculty teams and meet weekly to discuss, among other things, the academic as well as the social-emotional progress of your child.
Our Curriculum
Besides getting to know their students well, teachers also design rich, innovative curricula and programs in the humanities, STEM, and arts to tap into a student’s natural curiosity, need to learn something relevant and the desire to direct her/his/their own learning. A Wheeler Middle School classroom is often productively noisy as students wrestle with a problem or design a solution. Sometimes we employ technology; other times we don’t. Sometimes we read contemporary authors; other times the classics. And, sometimes the classroom is a theater like Trinity Rep or a multi-dimensional Providence neighborhood through Cityside for 8th Grade, the Wheeler Farm, a gallery on our own campus or at the Rhode Island School of Design, or science labs either at Brown University or our own Hirsch/Alperin Design-Innovate-Build Lab. Combined with the vigorous foundation of habits of mind and heart that we foster in our daily classroom instruction, each student moves on to Upper School with an intellectual foundation for upper-level scholarship, adventures, and achievements.
To You, The Student
At Wheeler’s Middle School, we understand that you make many decisions as you progress from leaving elementary school to preparing for high school in a few short years. Our teachers help you take risks, fail (i.e., try again), and succeed in building a strong academic foundation while fostering your social and emotional growth. You are asking questions of yourself, friends, family, and the world at this time in your life. We are here to help you learn how to find the answers by finding your own strengths and styles of learning. It is somewhat cliche to talk about “finding your voice” at this stage in one’s life, but at Wheeler, we believe that it is by building confidence, empathy, resilience, and friendship that your voice can be heard.
Contact Head of Middle School Vanessa O’Driscoll
Middle School Administration
See Our Stories
The 8th-Grade Moving Up Ceremony was filled with reflection, celebration, and excitement as students, families, and faculty members gathered in Madden Gym last evening to mark this important milestone.
Audience members listened closely as students shared insights from pivotal moments throughout their school year and Middle School journeys. Some of the most heartfelt moments of the ceremony came as advisors presented certificates to each student, some with signature handshakes and others with big hugs, as families and loved ones cheered them on!
Head of the Hamilton School at Wheeler Bill McCarthy reflected on the class’s impact, sharing, “You are exiting our Middle School in a different developmental place than when you began, and you are leaving the Middle School in a better place than you found it.”
Head of Middle School Vanessa O’Driscoll P’27, P’29 reflected on the qualities that students will carry with them to Upper School and beyond. “Because you are young, are aware, and creative, and resilient, you’ll make do when the new doesn’t have what you need,” she said. And you’ll make memories with your people about making do, and being disappointed, and being in awe, and being together.”
We’re glad we were able to be together yesterday to celebrate the end of our students’ Middle School experiences. Congratulations as they begin their next chapters in Upper School! 💜🥳🎉💛
Jun 10
“There’s no place as special as Hamilton,” Andrew B. ’30 remarked during the Hamilton School’s Closing Assembly this morning. His thought was clearly reflected throughout the auditorium, in the welcoming address from Head of the Hamilton School at Wheeler Bill McCarthy, to the individual accolades and appreciation that teachers expressed for every single student, to the heartfelt and at times humorous speeches delivered by Andrew and his fellow Hamilton 8th-graders.
The theme throughout was that Hamilton is a place where students are known and cared for, and where they come to know their incredible strengths and the learning differences that – rather than a barrier – become a super power.
It was a special way, indeed, to end a great school year. Congratulations, Ham Fam! ❤️ 💜 💛
Jun 10
Today’s Lower School Closing Assembly was like receiving a big high five, or maybe a huge hug – and there were plenty of both to go around!
The festivities kicked off with a celebratory clap-out for the 5th-graders, and after everyone made their way inside to Isenberg Auditorium, there was singing, a special story – “Me and Other Bunnies,” by Mo Willems – read by Head of Lower School Kate Hewitt P’30, and flowers and cheers for four Lower School faculty members who stepped in this year to assist and/or are leaving for other opportunities or retirement: Christine Smith P’07, Abbie Patterson, Alec MacCrory, and Sarah Hemenway P’18. Finally, every student stepped up – literally – to the next grade, as they said goodbye to their teachers this year, crossed a threshold, and emerged on the other side to say hello to the teachers who will be with them next year.
Congratulations, Lower School community! Have a great summer break! ☀️ 💜 💛
Jun 9
During their Moving Up Ceremony this morning, each 5th-grader shared reflections and favorite highlights from the school year. From the Lower School Soccer Tournament and Dance Showcases, to Field Day, the Multicultural Food Share, time at Wheeler Farm, and the 5th-Grade Musical, there were many memorable moments to celebrate together in Isenberg Auditorium, as well as moments to learn and grow from.
For Head of Lower School Kate Hewitt P’30, one of those memorable 5th-grade moments was the production of “The Phantom Tollbooth.” Reflecting on the students’ performance, Ms. Hewitt highlighted two Wheeler values they brought to life throughout the year: dialogue and creation.
“The show gave you an opportunity to dramatize a specific kind of conflict that I know all of us in this room have found ourselves trapped in at one time or another,” she said. “Whether you agree or not with someone is sometimes not the point. The point is listening with an open heart, withholding judgment, and moving on with integrity,” she added. “It is an act of creation to be in authentic dialogue with someone you disagree with.” As 5th-graders head into Middle School, she offered one final wish, “that you keep engaging in dialogue and you keep creating.”
During his remarks, Head of the Hamilton School at Wheeler Bill McCarthy reflected on the importance of embracing imperfection, learning, and growth, grounding students in the idea that there is no single path to success: “I encourage you to always strive to be your own self and make decisions and choices based on what you believe is right and appropriate. At times, this is not easy to do, as you may feel pressure to conform or believe that success requires perfection. There is no such thing as the one and only perfect song, goal, or book…As you move forward, I ask that you remain true to yourself and lean into your creativity and special talents.”
As the ceremony drew to a close, Councilman John Goncalves ’09, a former Wheeler 4th-grade teacher, returned to surprise the 5th-graders and congratulate them on this milestone, bringing the celebration full circle.
Congratulations, rising 6th-graders!🥳
Jun 9
