If you’re looking for a middle school where your child will grow in a close-knit community, develop important life skills, and prepare for the rigors of high school, you’ve come to the right place. Denver Christian School believes middle school is much more than a transitional time to “get through” — it’s a season of growth wherein students strengthen their foundations for learning and life and THRIVE.
Our teachers and staff act as mentors to students, helping them navigate tough questions about the world and deepen their faith. While many parents and families have anxiety about these years, our middle schoolers enjoy a positive culture where they can feel safe, have fun daily and flourish.
Whole-Child Development
Six Spheres of Learning in Middle School
At Denver Christian, we nurture the whole child through six interconnected spheres of growth. Explore how each sphere is expressed at the middle school level.
Spiritual Growth
God Worshiper
Rehearsals begin with silence or prayer to invite God’s presence; worship music integrated into playlists and performances; Chamber Ensemble serves through Christmas music in memory care centers; conversations frame music-making and teamwork as worship.
Chamber Ensemble functions as a service-based performance group; leadership roles in music and other MS activities provide space to live out faith through responsibility and community.
Stronger understanding of gifts as expressions of worship and service; increased ownership of spiritual identity; growing awareness of how faith shapes relationships, decisions, and creative expression.
Cognitive Growth
Truth Discerner
Concerts, performances, and school events require focused preparation and application of learning; Colorado Symphony visit exposes students to professional musicianship; reflective moments before and after performances connect effort, excellence, and purpose.
Chamber Ensemble, Jazz Band, Drumline, and elective-based opportunities for in-depth study; participation in events such as the Colorado Bandmasters MS Festival or the Mapleton Honor Band offers feedback, challenge, and community; additional clubs and electives extend learning beyond the classroom.
Developing independence as thinkers and learners; growing persistence and curiosity; increasing ability to analyze, collaborate, and refine work; readiness for high school marked by stronger organization, self-advocacy, and confidence in complex learning.
Physical Growth
Wellness Steward
Weekly breathing and technique exercises; stamina-building ensemble challenges; mindful warm-ups before rehearsals and performances; PE activities cultivate teamwork, critical thinking, problem-solving, and lifelong physical activity.
Drumline develops coordination, stamina, and physical awareness; athletic teams offer structured growth in discipline and teamwork; no intramurals or undefined “outdoor adventures” are claimed unless confirmed.
Improved stamina, posture, and physical self-awareness; stronger understanding of recovery, hydration, and healthy habits; readiness for more demanding physical and musical work; growing stewardship of the body.
Creative Growth
Beauty Creator
Concerts and performances celebrate beauty through music; creative clinics and workshops stretch artistic expression; composition projects allow students to hear, refine, and share their work; reflective practices help students connect music-making with joy, hope, peace, and worship.
MS Jazz Band, Chamber Ensemble, and Drumline offer deeper creative exploration, leadership, and collaboration; community performances provide opportunities to bless others and bring beauty into shared spaces.
Growing confidence as expressive musicians and creative thinkers; developing originality while honoring musical form and purpose; understanding creativity as a God-given gift to steward for others’ good; forming an artistic identity rooted in faith and calling.
Personal Growth
Image Reflector
Solos and featured performance opportunities to express unique identity; participation in honor bands, festivals, and symphony visits broadens vision and confidence; collaborative projects and rehearsals build resilience, responsibility, and constructive feedback skills.
Honor bands, festivals, special ensembles, and leadership roles, such as section leaders or officers, offer avenues for initiative, ownership, and responsibility.
Increasing emotional maturity and self-awareness; improved ability to manage performance anxiety, collaboration, and critique; emerging clarity around identity, strengths, and calling as independence grows.
Social Growth
Shalom Restorer
Small-group ensemble challenges require cooperation and mutual support; community performances cultivate compassion and humility; class and section discussions address conflict honestly and celebrate restored relationships.
Leadership roles such as section leaders and band officers create opportunities to guide peers with fairness and empathy; performing arts and other MS activities reinforce responsibility and teamwork.
Stronger collaboration and empathy; improved ability to resolve conflict constructively and restore harmony; readiness for leadership and mentorship grounded in Christlike character.
I always emphasize the fun that we have here in middle school. Our teachers and curriculum are excellent. Students are challenged to keep track of their schedule, homework, and projects, and can layer on advanced levels of math, play in the band, and more. But middle school is such a hard, awkward, wonderful time in our lives so we also focus on giving our students the confidence to grow into themselves. And we do it with a lot of prayer, a lot of discussion about accepting each other for who we are,
and a lot of opportunities for fun!
Laying the Foundations for Academic Success in High School & Beyond
The middle school day begins at 8:20 a.m. and ends at 3:15 p.m. Students enjoy the increased independence and autonomy that comes with moving between classes on a seven-period bell schedule. Core subject areas include:
Mathematics: Multiple Math offerings are available in each grade level. Accelerated Math students may be eligible to take pre-algebra in sixth or seventh grade and Algebra in eighth grade.
Science: The middle school science program spans a wide range topics. The focus of 6th grade is earth science. 7th grade focuses on biology. 8th grade focuses on physical science.
English: Students focus on grammar, writing, reading, and public speaking.
Social Studies: In sixth grade, students focus on ancient countries and cultures. In seventh grade, they study geography, and eighth grade focuses on American history.
Bible: Middle school students attend Bible class throughout the week. We encourage our students to begin to make their faith their own, and to move beyond just knowing about God toward fully engaging in His kingdom and His story.
Developing Talents & Building Community Through Shared Interests
In addition to these core classes, students take a variety of enrichment and elective classes. All Middle School students enjoy our enrichment classes which include P.E., Art, Spanish and music (general music, band or choir). Our electives are classes that our students can choose. Elective classes offered each quarter are Digital Scrapbooking, Piano Lab, Forensic Science, Strength and Performance, Creative Writing, Teacher Assistant and more!
Clubs & Activities
Athletic Teams – Middle school teams include soccer, cheer, basketball, cross country, track, golf, flag football (6th grade offers flag football, 7th & 8th grade is tackle), baseball, volleyball, tennis.
Praise & Worship – A team of middle school students help with leading the praise music for our school’s weekly chapels.
Speech & Debate – Students strengthen the vital skill of public speaking, and eighth graders are invited to travel and compete in the National Junior Speech & Debate Association.
Drama & Music – Students interested in music and theatre can audition for a variety of dramatic performances throughout the year.
Service Projects – Middle school students serve the community and share their faith through regular service projects.
Community Events – Dodgeball and Pizza nights, Seasonal Tailgates, Ice Skating, Lake Days, and the eighth grade dance are much anticipated events.
Expanding Horizons Through Travel, Teambuilding, and Service
In middle school, so much education happens outside our four walls. Traveling not only provides opportunities for hands-on learning, it helps students make real-world connections, deepening their understanding across many subject areas. All trips are planned and guided by teachers, with parent chaperones invited and encouraged to attend.
A few favorites include:
Hands-On Learning at Estes Park – YMCA of the Rockies
Sixth grade students journey into the mountains with an outdoor education experience. The students spend their days hiking, swimming, doing crafts and enjoying all the camp has to offer while developing new friendships and strengthening old friendships. On the final day, students swim, paddle board and play at Chatfield Reservoir.
Retreat at IdRaHaJe
IdRaHaJe stands for “I’d Rather Have Jesus.” Located in Baily, CO, this is an exciting destination for our seventh grade students, who spend time at the beginning of the school year building relationships, setting intentions for the school year, and strengthening their faith. The bonds created during this week create a strong sense of community that lasts throughout the school year and beyond.
Trip to the Black Hills, SD
Eighth graders spend a week in the beautiful Black Hills, South Dakota. They spend their time site seeing, hiking, learning about different cultures, experiences and history. Students have an incredible opportunity to build community and bond as this class approaches the culmination of their middle school experience.
