Middle School Program
Welcome to Connelly Middle School of the Holy Child!
Connelly Middle School of the Holy Child forms the foundation of the Cornelia Connelly Center by teaching girls grades four through eight. We combine a joyous holistic education that strives for academic excellence with a commitment to fostering a personal relationship with each student and her family. At CMS, students aspire to the highest of expectations, embrace changes, demonstrate tremendous effort, accept failure as a means to success, and work together as a family. In doing so, CMS students thrive and shine.
Our curriculum is thoughtfully designed to spark curiosity, build confidence, and prepare each girl for success both inside and outside the classroom. From academics to character development, every aspect of our program reflects our belief that education should empower and uplift.
What truly sets CMS apart is the spirit of joy and belonging that radiates through our halls. Here, students are encouraged to dream boldly, discover their strengths, and grow into young women who are resilient, compassionate, and ready to make a difference.
As you explore our website, I invite you to see for yourself the vibrant energy of our community and the lasting impact of the support we provide. Each day, I am inspired by our students’ determination and joy—and I hope you will be, too.
Warmly,
Brittany Sachs
Interim Head of School
About Our Curriculum
CMS offers a holistic education that allows all our students to grow, succeed, and become their best selves. Our curriculum is rooted in Cornelia Connelly’s philosophy of education, which is based on trust and reverence for the dignity of every human being, and it is constantly updated to reflect the needs and experiences of our student body.
Below are brief descriptions of each grade’s priorities. For more detailed descriptions contact our Interim Head of School, Brittany Sachs, at [email protected].
Our Lower School curriculum for fourth and fifth-grade girls focuses on accelerating growth and strengthening foundational skills to prepare students for the Upper School. In fourth grade, we emphasize a growth mindset, collaborative learning, self-advocacy, and an introduction to problem-solving, and in fifth grade, the focus shifts to critical thinking through collaborative group norms, inquiry, connection of ideas, and courageous expression.
In Upper School, which serves girls in grades six through eight, students engage in a high school preparatory program that ignites lifelong curiosity. We help students embrace their full potential with excellent academic experiences, sports and arts programming, and social-emotional learning. Our curriculum reflects our students' diverse voices and preferences, promoting engagement and love of learning.
In sixth grade, the curriculum supports a seamless transition to Upper School, which focuses on building confidence and exploring identity. The seventh-grade curriculum explores resistance and change-makers while developing skills in collaboration and communication through group work and discussion, and the eighth-grade curriculum allows students to finesse their collaboration and problem-solving skills, preparing them for high school and helping them realize their future as leaders in the world.