Middle School | Universal American School | Al-Futtaim, UAE

Middle School

The middle years are when children figure out who they are. Grades 6 to 8 follow the New York State Standards, with strong electives in the arts and World Languages (Arabic, French, Spanish), Week Without Walls trips, and an Advisory programme that builds the friendships, resilience and self-awareness this age needs most. 

Grades 6 to 8

Alongside academic expectations, strong counselling and advisory programmes support students’ social and emotional development, ensuring they feel supported as they grow in independence and confidence.

Middle School is a significant stage in a child’s development. 
Teacher in class with students

Middle School Approach

The Middle School team is committed to being:

  • Developmentally responsive, using an understanding of young adolescents to guide decisions and learning experiences
  • Challenging, with high expectations and a belief that every student can learn
  • Empowering, equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to take ownership of their learning and choices
  • Equitable, advocating for every student’s right to access meaningful, relevant, and appropriately challenging learning opportunities

Curriculum

The Middle School curriculum focuses on developing higher-order thinking skills that prepare students for future learning. Aligned to the New York State Standards, teaching places strong emphasis on critical thinking and inquiry-driven instruction. Learning experiences are designed to foster curiosity and creativity through hands-on, collaborative approaches. 

Rigour is balanced with engagement, helping students remain motivated while being challenged academically.

 

Exploring Interests Through Electives

A wide range of elective classes allows students to explore interests and develop as well-rounded individuals. Opportunities in the arts include visual arts, theatre, band, and choir, giving students space to discover new passions and creative outlets.

Through the World Languages programme, students are introduced to Spanish, French, and Arabic, broadening their cultural awareness and communication skills.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

The Week Without Walls programme offers meaningful learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom. 

These experiences focus on service and are designed to support life skills, cultural understanding, and personal growth, allowing students to apply learning in real-world contexts.

Advisory

A strong Student Advisory Initiative plays an important role in Middle School. Advisory supports the development of meaningful relationships between students and teachers, helping to create a sense of connection and belonging.

Research highlights the importance of school connectedness, linking strong relationships to improved engagement, academic outcomes, and a greater sense of belonging. To strengthen the advisory experience, the school implements the Second Step Advisory Project, which focuses on:

  • mindsets and goals
  • values and friendships
  • emotions and decision-making
  • peer conflict resolution

This structured approach helps students build social awareness, resilience, and positive relationships during these formative years.

 

 

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