• 401.884.9070

middle school

Kate Sutherland

Head of Middle
and Upper School
ksutherland@rockyhill.org

Zach Bioteau

Middle School Dean
of Student Life
zbioteau@rockyhill.org

Welcome to Middle School!

In our Middle School, students are curious, thoughtful, and eager to explore new ideas. Guided by dedicated faculty, they are encouraged to ask questions, think critically, and grow resilient as they navigate new challenges. These years are a time of discovery, when students uncover their strengths, gain confidence, and begin building the foundations of leadership through collaboration and community engagement.

Every student plays a vital role in our community, where friendships, discovery, and laughter create meaningful learning experiences and inspire a lifelong love of learning.

I invite you to visit our Middle School and experience the energy of this very special place—where students are not only learning, but truly thriving.

Warmly,
Kate Sutherland
Head of Middle and Upper School

DISCUSSION-BASED
CLASSROOMS
The design of our learning spaces encourages student collaboration. Seated around the Harkness™ table, our students have a front-row seat to develop their ability to share their ideas and opinions, to listen intently to their peers, and to collaborate more freely and effectively.
ADVISORY PROGRAM
The Advisory Program is considered the heart of the Middle School, grounded in the four needs that must be fulfilled if young adolescents are to be engaged.
ENVIROWEEK
With the Potowomut River estuary, Narragansett Bay, and woodlands of southern Rhode Island serving as classrooms, the Middle School launches the school year with Enviroweek

SIGNATURE PROGRAMS

The Middle School has a long tradition of unique programs that move the students out of their daily schedules, and at times grade-specific classrooms, to challenge them to collaborate in different ways, to make larger, and perhaps global connections, and to stretch their thinking and understanding.

EXPOSITIONS
In January and February of their 8th grade year, students deliver a TED-Style presentation to the entire Middle School community as part of our Expositions program.
NATURE'S
CLASSROOM
Each winter the 7th-grade class spends three days and two nights at Nature’s Classroom in Charlton, Massachusetts with a focus on winter ecology. As a part of their environmental education, students look at ways in which organisms have adapted to the harsh conditions of a New England winter.

SERVICE LEARNING

Tying into our Student Competencies to be ethical, globally minded citizens of a greater community, we connect our students with important social initiatives and organizations that make a positive difference in our community and world as an important part of the learning that takes place in the Middle School.

NORTH KINGSTOWN
FOOD PANTRY
Tying into our Student Competencies to be Ethical and Globally Minded, and as Citizens of a greater community, connecting our students with important social initiatives and organizations that make a positive difference in our community and world is an important part of the learning that takes place in the Middle School.
EMPTY BOWLS
The Empty Bowls Project delivered value from student learning to develop a replicable service that can grow. Students generated impact for a local food pantry by developing nutritious recipes for those utilizing the pantry in this interdisciplinary study of poverty and food insecurity.
QUEBEC CITY
A highlight of students’ 8th grade year is the trip to Quebec City where they explore this historic, French-speaking city in all of its winter glory. Cultural and historical experiences abound, including a tour of Old Quebec City, dining on regional cuisine, and braving the cold for a fun night of tubing, making it an unforgettable adventure!

SIGNATURE TRIPS

...Original layout had LEEP above and Nature's Classroom down here...

Field trips range from coastal habitats, to engineering labs, to national conferences and art galleries

LEEP WEEK
Learn, Explore, Envision, Present.
These are the elements that create LEEP Week in the Middle School. During this week, students are placed in mixed grade groups and presented with a challenge to "hack" a solution for. Drawing on their skill with design thinking, the students brainstorm ideas, design potential solutions, test and refine their proposals, and finally present their solutions to the community. This student led program all takes place in 3 - 4 days!
JAMESTOWN
Each year, the 6th grade students travel to Jamestown, RI to study the diverse rock formations that span hundreds of millions of years of geologic history.

GRADES 3–5

Our students transition from the early childhood years to the intermediate elementary grades where they begin focusing on, and becoming more responsible for, the study skills needed to support their academic success. Having developed a stronger grasp of their learning styles, areas of interest, and social awareness, students

  • demonstrate a deeper understanding of our student competencies and the importance of our school values
  • think more critically, make deeper connections, and stretch themselves both socially and intellectually
  • are empowered to take on leadership roles within our Lower School community and serve as role models and mentors for our younger students

The 5th grade year serves as the culmination of the elementary school experience and begins the process of transitioning students into our Middle School.

PRESCHOOL

Rocky Hill Country Day’s By-the-Bay Preschool serves the emotional, social, cognitive, creative, and physical needs of 3 to 5-year-old children. Our nurturing and safe environment encourages

  • discovery  
  • open-ended learning experiences
  • integrated activities designed to foster a sense of wonder and excitement about the world in which children live

While offering challenging developmentally appropriate learning activities, students

  • develop and enhance self-help, readiness and social-emotional skills
  • develop a sense of independence, self-reliance, and self-confidence
  • learn and work cooperatively in a small community of children and adults

Appropriate readiness assessments provide beneficial information to ensure the most holistic educational and social-emotional goals for our students. Students entering our Preschool must be 3 years of age by September 1, vaccinated, and potty trained.

CONTACT US

If you have any questions, or would like to know more about Rocky Hill Country Day School, please fill out the form below.

Rocky Hill Country Day School

530 Ives Road
East Greenwich, RI 02818

Phone: 401.884.9070
Fax: 401.885.4985