An eruption of laughter in the math room. A fallen book
picked up and handed to a friend. A vibrant debate begun in social studies and carried into the
lunchroom. One only has to walk the halls of our Middle School to witness these
acts of joy, kindness, and curiosity.
Rose Helm
Middle School Division Head
helm@hamlin.org
415-674-5460
Welcome
to the Hamlin Middle School!
True to our mission, we strive to inspire our girls to
become courageous leaders and women of integrity. To that end, a Middle School
student at Hamlin enjoys the experience of being both independent and nurtured.
She starts her day in morning meeting, greeted by her advisor and fellow
students, and then she embarks on a journey of stimulating academic
experiences. The girls conclude each day with more community time: assembly, clubs,
work period, or closing circle. Regular advisory and health and wellness
periods are integral to the program and offer us a way to serve the
social/emotional needs of our students. The lunch program, the cost of which is
included in tuition, allows for time to build community and to learn about
making healthy choices with regard to food and friendship.
In addition to cultivating leadership and integrity,
Hamlin teachers are equally committed to creating extraordinary thinkers and
innovators through the educational program they deliver in the classrooms. In
every grade, students have math and English daily, and social studies, science,
world language, physical education, and arts meet on a rotating basis
throughout the six-day cycle. Highlights from a typical day for a Hamlin fifth
grade student include building a replica of an ancient Greek temple in STEM
class and writing a narrative from the point of view of a citizen of Sumeria
during Humanities class. A sixth grader might conduct a science lab on
earthquake-proof houses, and then later in physical education, choreograph a
dance simulating tectonic movement. A seventh grader can be found debating
about the latest bill passed by Congress or making travel brochures for
Spanish-speaking countries. A Hamlin eighth grader might begin her day guiding
prospective parents on a campus tour before heading to her leveled Algebra
class or English, where she can be found acting out scenes from Romeo & Juliet.
At the end of a typical day, our girls walk out the front
door feeling connected and powerful. They know that their teachers and advisors
are committed to supporting their emotional and social learning, as well as
holding them to high standards of academic and ethical excellence. With this
knowledge, Hamlin’s Middle School girls are indeed equipped to meet the
challenges of their time.
We invite you to visit for a first-hand look at how our
commitment to adolescent girls manifests in an exciting, innovative educational
experience.
Sincerely,
Rose Helm
Middle School Division Head