Middle School
7th & 8th Grades

The middle school years are a time of transition. Anchor offers engaging courses for seventh and eighth graders that maintain our interactive approach to education while challenging students to think more deeply and take ownership of their learning. These years will prepare our students for the challenges and responsibilities they will face in high school and beyond.
Registration for the 2025/26 school year will start the week of May 5th for current families and May 12th for new families.
For easy viewing, click here for a Printable Schedule
For information on tuition and fees, click HERE!
2025/2026 Classes | Classes on Rotation |
---|---|
World Geography | American History |
Maryland History | |
Life Science | General Science |
Earth Science | Creative Writing 8th+ |
Writing about Historical Fiction | Anatomy & Physiology |
Foundations of Math | |
PreAlgebra |
2024/2025 Elective Classes | Elective Courses on Rotation | |
---|---|---|
Art | American Sign Language 1 | |
PE | ||
American Sign Language 2 | ||
Computer Science and Programming | ||
Art and Design using Canva | ||
Drama |
TUTOR: Dr.Trisha Pellegrino
TEXT: Purposeful Design Life Science textbook and student lab manual
CLASS LENGTH: 90 mins./30 weeks
GRADE LEVEL: 7th-8th Grades
COURSE FEE: $300 MATERIALS FEE: $75
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Moderate
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Discover the wonders of God’s living creation in this exciting Life Science course! Meeting once a week for 90 minutes, students will explore the amazing diversity of life—from tiny cells to complex ecosystems—while uncovering the intricate design and order God has placed in the natural world. Through hands-on experiments, interactive discussions, and engaging activities, students will investigate cell biology, genetics, the animal and plant kingdoms, and human body systems. Emphasis will be placed on the connections between faith and science, recognizing God as the ultimate Creator and exploring our role as stewards of His creation. By the end of this course, students will develop a deeper understanding of life science principles, critical thinking skills, and an appreciation for the beauty and complexity of life, all while strengthening their faith.
TUTOR: Melissa Hardesty
TEXT: Purposeful Design, Earth and Space Science, Student Edition
CLASS LENGTH: 90 mins./30 weeks
GRADE LEVEL: 7th-8th Grades
COURSE FEE: $300 MATERIALS FEE: $75
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Moderate
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This engaging, hands-on Earth Science course explores God’s creation through the study of geology, meteorology, oceanography, and astronomy. Meeting once a week for 90 minutes, students will investigate Earth’s structure, weather patterns, ecosystems, and the vast universe, all while developing critical thinking skills and a deeper appreciation for the world God has designed. Lessons will incorporate interactive activities, experiments, and discussions that connect scientific principles with biblical truth. Students will learn about Earth’s processes, such as plate tectonics, erosion, and the water cycle, and explore how science reflects God’s order and creativity. Emphasis will be placed on stewardship of the Earth and understanding how science and faith work together. By the end of the course, students will have a solid foundation in Earth Science concepts, be able to analyze scientific data, and appreciate the beauty and complexity of God’s creation.
TUTOR: Felicia Perry
CLASS LENGTH: 90 mins./30 weeks
COURSE FEE: $300 MATERIALS FEE: $40
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Moderate
REQUIRED TEXTS: to be determined
COURSE DESCRIPTION: In this engaging grammar and writing course, students will build a strong foundation in language arts using the Writing Strands curriculum. Meeting once a week for 90 minutes, this class will equip students with essential grammar, punctuation, and composition skills while encouraging them to become clear and effective communicators. Students will systematically explore the writing process—brainstorming ideas, organizing thoughts using outlines or graphic organizers, drafting, revising, editing, and polishing their work for final submission. Through interactive lessons and collaborative activities, they will practice the four traditional forms of writing: informative, explanatory, argumentative, and narrative. Grounded in a biblical worldview, this course strengthens students’ technical writing skills and encourages them to use their words with purpose, clarity, and truth. By the end of the course, students will be equipped to express their ideas confidently and communicate effectively for God’s glory.
TUTOR: Katie Beirne
CLASS LENGTH: 90 mins./30 weeks
GRADE LEVEL: 7th-8th Grades
COURSE FEE: $300 MATERIALS FEE: $40
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Moderate
TEXT: Memoria Press
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Step into the past and bring history to life through storytelling! This unique course blends language arts and social studies by exploring historical fiction while diving into the periods that shaped the world. Meeting once a week for 90 minutes, students will read and analyze various historical literature, strengthening their grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension while gaining a deeper understanding of the events, cultures, and people of the past. Students will develop their writing skills by crafting responses, essays, and creative narratives inspired by historical settings. They will learn how to structure their writing, build strong sentences, and refine their grammar—all while engaging with rich, thought-provoking stories. Those needing a social studies credit will complete an additional assignment each week, focusing on historical research and analysis of the era being studied.
By the end of this course, students will grow as skilled writers and gain a greater appreciation for history, seeing God’s sovereign hand at work throughout time.
TUTOR: Lauren Steakley
CLASS LENGTH: 90 mins./30 weeks
GRADE LEVEL: 7th-8th Grades
COURSE FEE: $300 MATERIALS FEE: $40
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Moderate
TEXT: Geomatters: a Trail Guide to World Geography
COURSE DESCRIPTION: In this course, students will explore World Geography by learning the features and traits of all seven continents and identifying important geographical terms. They will also learn how to read and create maps through mapping activities and atlas usage, with reinforcement through drills, assignments, and projects. Independent research will be required weekly.
TUTOR: Jennie Carr
GRADE LEVEL: 6th+
CLASS LENGTH: 90 minutes twice a week
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Assignments on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
TUITION: $600; SUPPLIES: $50
PREREQUISITE: Students should be working on at least 6th-grade math. If you're concerned about proper placement, contact us HERE for a placement test.
CLASS DESCRIPTION: This class will focus on the skills your students need to prepare for Pre-Algebra. The tutor introduces two to three new skills each week and works closely with students to ensure comprehension of further information. Students must complete assignments outside of class to keep up with the pace of the course. Students will work independently and in groups during class, and we are instructed to maximize involvement and understanding. Topics reviewed and reinforced will include Whole numbers, rational numbers, integers, positive & negative numbers, combining terms, inequalities, ratios, area, and volume. You can find outlines here: Foundations Outline.
TUTOR: Jessica Knott
CLASS LENGTH: 60 minutes twice a week
COURSE FEE: $600 MATERIAL FEE: $50
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Assignments on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
PREREQUISITE: Students should be working at 7th-grade math. Contact us HERE for a placement test if you're concerned about proper placement.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: You can access an outline here: Curriculum Outline. This class will focus on your students' skills to prepare for Pre-Algebra. Two to three new skills will be taught each week, and the tutor will work closely with students to ensure comprehension of further information. In addition, students must complete assignments outside of class to keep up with the pace of the course. Students will work independently and in groups during class and be instructed to maximize involvement and understanding. Topics reviewed and reinforced will include positive & negative numbers, combining terms, equation & inequality solving, graphing, linear equations, and beginning geometry.
TUTOR: Liesl Schiavone
CLASS LENGTH: 90 mins. / 15 weeks
COURSE FEE: $150 MATERIALS FEE: $50
GRADE LEVEL: 7th-12th
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Light
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course will teach beginning and intermediate acting skills and improvisation. The class will culminate in a lunchtime production.
TUTOR: Angela Somers
GRADE LEVEL: 7th–12th Grades
COURSE FEE: $400 MATERIALS FEE: $40
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Moderate
PREREQUISITE: ASL 1
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Students are required to attend both in-person classes each week!
Part 2 of our ASL Class offered, students will continue to become proficient in using American Sign Language.
TUTOR: Becky VanRees
CLASS LENGTH: 90 mins./ 30 weeks
COURSE FEE: $ 300 MATERIALS FEE: $75
GRADE LEVEL: 7th-12th Grades
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Light
COURSE DESCRIPTION: In this class, students will learn art techniques to create original artwork. This class will take exemplary art learning to the next level and lead the students to create artwork that reflects themselves or conveys a message. Sketchbooks will log artists and techniques, ultimately creating an excellent reference book. Using the styles of drawing, watercolor, painting, mixed media, and printmaking, the class will connect to the past and create pieces of art that express what resonates with the students today.
TUTOR: Jonathan Allie
CLASS LENGTH: 60 mins
COURSE FEE: $200 per year MATERIALS FEE: $25
GRADE LEVEL: 7th-12th Grades
REQUIRED MATERIALS: Comfortable clothing and sneakers
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Get ready to move, groove, and have a blast! This high-energy, 60-minute class is all about making fitness fun. We’ll kick things off with an exciting warm-up to get hearts pumping, dive into action-packed exercises that keep everyone engaged, and finish with thrilling games that bring big smiles and even bigger laughs. By turning exercise into an adventure, we spark a love for movement, helping students build strength, energy, and confidence. It’s not just about working out—it’s about discovering the joy of staying active and setting the stage for a lifetime of health and fitness!
TUTOR: Becky Van Rees
CLASS LENGTH: 90 mins. / 30 weeks
GRADE LEVEL: 7th - 8th Grades
COURSE FEE: $260 MATERIALS FEE: $35
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Moderate to Heavy
REQUIRED TEXTS:
1.) A History of U.S.: Liberty for All 1820 – 1860 by Joy Hakim
2.) A History of U.S.: War, Terrible War 1855 – 1865 by Joy Hakim
3.) A History of U.S.: Reconstructing America 1865 – 1890 by Hakim
4.) A History of U.S.: An Age of Extremes 1880 – 1917 by Joy Hakim
COURSE DESCRIPTION: American History Part 2: Students in this course will investigate the political and cultural forces that made America…America. Using the Socratic approach, we will explore U.S. history from the antebellum period to World War I. Students will learn to look deeper into text and examine history for themselves through close reading, contextualizing, and collaboration. Students will demonstrate their understanding through rich oral discussions, writing, independent research, historical simulations, blog posts, and digital projects. Expectations include daily readings of historical texts, class participation, and being prepared weekly to engage in all class discussions and activities.
To deepen their understanding of this time in our great nation, students will explore many questions, including the following:
• Did Manifest Destiny bring greater progress and freedoms to the prairies?
• How might the United States have been affected if transportation and communication systems had not followed closely on the heels of the pioneers?
• Would war have resulted even if the North stopped advocating for abolition?
• Do individuals shape history, or are individuals shaped by the times in which they live?
• What advantages and disadvantages did the Union and the Confederacy each possess at the start of the Civil War?
• What factors helped push immigrants out of Europe and Asia and pulled them toward the United States?
• How did the muckrakers prove the saying, "The pen is mightier than the sword."?
• Did the progressive movement die with the opening shots of World War 1?
CLASS LENGTH: 90 mins./15 weeks
COURSE FEE: $140 MATERIALS FEE: $35
GRADE LEVEL: 8th+
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Moderate
PREREQUISITE: Students should be proficient writers and have experience in structured essay writing.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: In this one-semester course, students can unleash their imaginations and spark their creativity through their writing. Completing writing assignments such as short stories, blog posts, and poetry will allow students to fully develop their creativity and give them different outlets to express themselves. Students will not just be writing; they will expand their vocabulary, learn pre-writing strategies, and use story elements such as plot, character development, and conflict to create unique, creative writing pieces. Students must come to class fully prepared, complete all assigned work, and be ready to participate fully.
CLASS LENGTH: 90 mins./30 weeks
GRADE LEVEL: 7th & 8th Grades
COURSE FEE: $300 MATERIALS FEE: $40
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Moderate
REQUIRED TEXTS: will be provided
COURSE DESCRIPTION: In this class, we will explore Maryland's rich history as we journey back to discover our state's diverse and fascinating history. We will have a variety of interactive activities, discussions, and projects designed to explore historical events, figures, and themes that examine how our unique geographical, cultural, and economic factors have influenced vital events.
CLASS LENGTH: 90 mins./30 weeks
GRADE LEVEL: 7th & 8th Grades
COURSE FEE: $300 MATERIALS FEE: $75, includes lab supplies
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Moderate
TEXT: TBD
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is a true general science course covering a wide range of branches of science. We will cover the history of science, scientific analysis, astronomy, geology, paleontology, meteorology, oceanography, chemistry, physics, life science (molecular biology, microbiology, immunology, botany, zoology, genetics), marine science, and environmental science. Classes will consist of short lectures and lots of hands-on activities. Students will learn to design, conduct experiments, and write lab reports correctly. Homework will consist of textbook reading, comprehension questions, completing lab reports, and take-home quizzes.
CLASS LENGTH: 90 mins./30 weeks
GRADE LEVEL: 7th - 9th Grades
COURSE FEE: $300 MATERIALS FEE: $75, includes lab supplies
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Moderate
REQUIRED TEXTS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This class will explore the human body following systems in depth. First, the skeletal system's function and the muscular system's basics make up the musculoskeletal system. We then move to the cardiovascular and respiratory systems to study the body's circulation and breathing. Finally, we look at the nervous system, including the central and peripheral systems, encompassing the brain and spinal cord.
TUTOR: Angela Somers
GRADE LEVEL: 7th–12th Grades
PREREQUISITE: ASL 1
COURSE FEE: $370 MATERIALS FEE: $25
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Moderate
COURSE DESCRIPTION: THIS CLASS MEETS TWICE A WEEK! Part 2 of our ASL Class offered, students will continue to become proficient in using American Sign Language.