Middle School is a time for exploration of diverse subjects and for students to develop close working relationships with faculty. The “Minimester” allows faculty and students to engage in the intensive exploration of a topic, skill, hobby, craft, or concept in multi-age small groups. It will also allow students some level of choice in the selection of areas that interest them as they explore areas outside the regular curriculum with teachers and classmates who share their interest, expertise, or passion.
A catalog is handed out to students which describes the many offerings from which students may choose. During the third week of January, we abandon our traditional schedule and follow a two-block period format. This week falls between the two academic semesters and will give girls a creative “jolt” at the midpoint of the year. "Minimester" courses have included:
- Hip Hop Is a Culture
- Pickleball and Badminton
- Fun with Science!
- Musical Theater Dance
- From Trash to Treasure
- Garrison Geographic: Moving beyond snapshots
- Duct Tape Creations
- Accessory Runway
- Technical Theater Lab
- Calligraphy
- Fun with Graphic Design
- Dance Performance Workshop
- Journeying and Journaling
- Collections and Collectors
- Paws and Claws
- CSI: Garrison Forest
- Skills for the Great Outdoors
- Monet, Pisarro, Cezanne–Our inspiration!
- Come Alive and Get Rid of Those Winter Blues!
- Social Entrepreneurs: Leaders for the 21st Century
- Technical Theater Lab
- The Art and Structure of Buildings
- Labyrinths