Middle School (5-8) - Open Window School School - Bellevue, Washington

Middle School (5-8)

MIDDLE SCHOOL, BUILT FOR GIFTED

We meet students where they are, balancing high expectations with high support as they grow academically and socially.

Student Speaking in class

A MIDDLE SCHOOL

 EXPERIENCE BUILT FOR

GIFTED LEARNERS 

Gifted feels like being known

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Gifted looks like campus leadership

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Gifted sounds like thoughtful listening

Students working on math paper

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ADVANCED 
CHALLENGE

Middle school academics at Open Window are designed for gifted learners who are ready for additional depth of learning. Students think critically, write with evidence, and solve complex problems across disciplines.

Small class groupings create space for discussion and feedback, so students can stretch their thinking and take real ownership of their work.

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DAILY 
ADVISORY

Each day begins in advisory, a calm, connected space where students check in, set goals, and practice self advocacy.

With counselors and teachers working in partnership, students build skills that matter now and later: planning, reflection, healthy relationships, and resilience. It’s a daily rhythm that helps students feel grounded and ready to learn.

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Both Together

CONNECTED 
CURRICULUM

In middle school, learning connects across subjects and across the day. Students might apply math in science labs, use technology to deepen research, or explore ethics through literature and history. 

With daily advisory and intentional support woven in, students grow as scholars and as people, building confidence and a strong sense of community.

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RIGOROUS ACADEMICS

Students working on project

Gifted learners move beyond the basics, engaging in accelerated coursework with high support that builds strong thinking and real ownership.

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LEADERSHIP IN ACTION

Students solving issue

Middle school students lead assemblies, run clubs, and mentor younger peers. As leaders on campus, they help shape the community.

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LEARNING BEYOND CAMPUS

Students on field trip

Hallmark Trips and field experiences extend learning beyond the classroom. Students navigate new settings with support, then return with stories and new confidence.

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Designed for Gifted Learners

ACCELERATED ACADEMICS

Our curriculum is built for gifted learners who move quickly and want complexity. Teachers spend less time on basic concepts and more time on discussion, analysis, and projects that ask students to think deeply.

Designed for Gifted Learners

MATH THAT FITS

Students are placed by readiness, with courses from Pre Algebra through Algebra 2. Acceleration is built in, and teachers focus on reasoning and problem solving so students understand the “why,” not just the steps.

Designed for Gifted Learners

SMALL GROUP LEARNING

Core classes meet in small groupings that make room for questions and meaningful feedback. Students are known well, and teachers can respond in the moment, whether a learner needs a stretch or a reset.

Designed for Gifted Learners

DAILY ADVISORY

Advisory begins every day with check ins, goal setting, and self advocacy practice. It builds organization skills and helps students navigate the social and emotional growth that comes with middle school.

Designed for Gifted Learners

TUTORIAL TIME BUILT IN

Support is part of the schedule. Tutorial time gives students a predictable place to get help, revise work, and build stronger study habits with guidance from teachers who know their learning goals.

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CodingAI LiteracyElectivesLeadershipSeminarsHallmark TripsClubsAdvisory

MEET OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL FACULTY

Faculty and Staff

The goal isn’t perfection. It’s helping students build systems so they can handle challenge with confidence.

Leadership here is practical. Students plan assemblies, start clubs, and take responsibility for the community they want. 

Middle schoolers don’t want a quick answer. They want to understand how it works, and why it matters.

CONSISTENT CHALLENGE CONTINUOUS SUPPORT 

We set high expectations, then teach students how to meet them. Feedback is clear, revision is normal, and mistakes are part of the process. Over time, students learn how to manage workload, take risks, and build confidence that lasts.

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DAILY SUPPORT THAT’S PART OF THE ROUTINE

Social emotional learning is built into the day, not saved for after something goes wrong. Advisory creates a consistent home base where students build trust with peers and adults, practice skills, and get support early.

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A COMMUNITY OF BELONGING

Middle school relationships change quickly. We teach communication skills that help students navigate disagreement, set boundaries, and move forward after a misstep. Students learn how to be part of a community in ways that feel healthy.

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BUILDING INDEPENDENCE

We don’t expect students to arrive already organized. They learn planning, time management, and self advocacy through daily routines. Advisory helps them practice these skills in real time, with adults coaching toward independence.

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Apply Now

Ready to take the next step? We’re here to guide you through the Middle School application process, timelines, and what to expect along the way.

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Book A Tour

See what students experience each day, from advisory and clubs to community traditions and shared moments that help middle schoolers feel known and connected.

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Explore Academics

Explore the full grades 5–8 program, including accelerated academics, daily advisory, electives, leadership opportunities, and hallmark trips that extend learning beyond campus. Link text and link to page: Link to 5.3 Academics

Explore Academics