Building a successful future should never wait until tomorrow – and the Gentry Academy middle school program sets our students on the right path today.

Middle school is the first opportunity for our students to become immersed in the Gentry Academy culture and to discover a learning environment characterized by relationships.

It begins with a solid foundation in traditional academics, continues with a flexible schedule that allows our students to focus on the skill sets in which they seek to improve, and culminates in a proprietary leadership curriculum.

As our students hone their leadership skills, they are also introduced to a broader sense of community and how their leadership skills can affect the lives of others. Through our partnership with the Gradient Gives Back Foundation, students are afforded the unique opportunity to actively give back to local families and charities that need a hand up. When our students recognize their responsibility to their community, they learn unforgettable life lessons that cannot be taught in the classroom.

Our unique mentoring approach to learning encourages older students to be actively involved in the development of their younger peers. Middle school students receive invaluable guidance when they are nurtured by our high school students.

Through lasting relationships that generate positive energy and results, our students seek long-term success. The middle school experience encourages our students to enter high school with an unwavering commitment to continued growth.

Middle School Major Outcomes

Classes

Students attending Gentry Academy take Algebra in eighth grade and are on track to take Geometry; Advanced Algebra; Functions, Statistics and Trigonometry (FST); as well Pre-Calculus (elective) by the time they graduate, if they so choose.

5th Grade – Everyday Math
  • Number Theory
  • Exponents and Negative Numbers
  • Estimation and Computation
  • Fractions and Ratios
  • Geometry Exploration
  • Coordinates, Area, Volume, & Capacity
  • Division
  • Volume
  • Fractions, Decimals, and Percent
  • Probability, Ratio, and Rates
  • Using Data; Adding & Subtracting Fractions, Algebra Concepts and Skills
6th Grade – Pre-transition Math
  • Integers and Fractions
  • Using Division
  • Decimals and Percent
  • Ratio and Proportion
  • Using Addition
  • Area and Volume
  • Using Subtraction
  • Probability
  • Statistics and Displays
  • Angles, Shapes and Figures
  • Using Multiplication
  • Collecting and Comparing Data
7th Grade – Transition Math
  • Reading and Writing Numbers
  • Multiplication in Geometry
  • Using Variables
  • Multiplication in Algebra
  • Representing Numbers
  • Patterns Leading to Division
  • Representing Sets of Numbers and Shapes
  • Linear Equations and Inequalities
  • Patterns Leading to Addition and Subtraction
  • Statistics and Variability
  • Geometry
8th Grade – Algebra
  • Using Algebra to Describe and Explain
  • Linear Equations and Inequalities
  • Proportional Thinking
  • Slope and Patterns of Change
  • Powers and Roots
  • Quadratics
  • Linear Systems
  • Polynomials
5th Grade
Reading
  • Independent and guided reading in a variety of genres
  • Realistic fiction reading (Frindle)
  • Historical fiction reading (Bud, Not Buddy)
  • Fantasy reading (The BFG)
  • Poetry
Writing
  • Narrative, expository/explanatory, and persuasive writing
  • Conducting research
Language
  • Grammar
  • Fluency
  • Vocabulary
  • Figurative language
  • Spelling
6th Grade
Reading
  • Independent and guided reading in a variety of genres
  • Realistic fiction reading (Wonder)
  • Historical fiction reading (The Watson’s Go To Birmingham: 1963)
  • Fantasy reading (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1: The Lightning Thief)
  • Poetry
Writing
  • Narrative, expository/explanatory, and persuasive writing
  • Conducting research
Language
  • Grammar
  • Vocabulary
  • Spelling
  • Figurative language
7th Grade
Reading
  • Close reading of all types of literature, including fiction and non-fiction selections
  • Independent and guided reading in a variety of genres
  • Realistic fiction reading (The Outsiders)
  • Historical fiction reading (Crow)
  • Fantasy reading (The Thief)
  • Poetry
Writing
  • Narrative, expository/explanatory, persuasive/argumentative writing
  • Conducting research
Language
  • Grammar
  • Vocabulary
  • Spelling
  • Figurative language
8th Grade
Reading
  • Close reading of all types of literature, including fiction and non-fiction selections
  • Independent and guided reading in a variety of genres
  • Realistic fiction reading
  • Historical fiction reading
  • Fantasy reading
  • Poetry
Writing
  • Narrative, expository/explanatory, persuasive/argumentative writing
  • Conducting research
Language
  • Grammar
  • Vocabulary
  • Figurative language
  • Spelling (Root words)
5th Grade – Science
  • Earth Structure and Processes
  • Changes of the Earth’s surface
  • Speed of change in the Earth’s surface
  • Erosions, landslides, and volcanic eruptions
  • Human interactions with Earth Systems
  • Simple Machines
  • Friction
6th Grade – Physical Science
  • Practice of Science – Scientific Method and Inquiry Skill
  • Measurement and Metric Conversions
  • Motion – speed and graphing speed and motion
  • Forces – balanced/unbalanced, mass vs. weight, contact/distance force
  • Energy and Machines – Energy and Conservation, Work and Power
  • Process of Engineering – Design process, engineered systems, advantages/disadvantages to technology
  • Continuing the Practice of Science – Scientific Method and Inquiry skills
  • States of Matter– Density, dissolving, physical properties and changes
  • Solutions and Chemical Reactions
  • Engineering – Engineering systems, process, risks and benefits, product design
  • Continuing the Practice of Science – Scientific Method and Inquiry skills
7th Grade – Life Science
  • The practice of science
  • Interactions among science and society
  • Matter and cells
  • Structure and function of living systems
  • Human interaction with living systems
  • The diversity of life
  • Human body systems
8th Grade – Earth Science
  • Light Energy
  • Properties of Light
  • Heat Energy
  • Heat Transfer
  • Solar System
  • The Moon, Tides, & Eclipses
  • Seasons & Stars
  • Water
  • Weather
5th Grade – The United States
  • Daily Geography
  • The Land and Early People
  • Exploration and Settlement
  • The American Revolution
  • A Growing Nation
  • Civil War Times
  • Growth and Reform
6th Grade – MN Studies
  • Studying Minnesota – Maps and Geography
  • Dakota
  • Ojibwe
  • Fur Trade
  • The Land Changes Hands
  • Civil War Times
  • Minnesota Grows
  • Minnesota Changes
  • Boom Bust and Conflicts
  • WWII and the Cold War
  • A Changing Landscape
7th Grade – Civil War to Present
  • Civil War
  • Reconstruction
  • American’s Move West
  • Industrial Age
  • Immigration and Urban Life
  • Beginning of Modern America
  • Becoming a World Power
  • World War I
  • Boom, Depression, and Conflict
  • Modern America
8th Grade – Global Studies
  • Intro Unit – Mapping, Culture, etc.
  • North America – Minnesota, USA, and Canada
  • Latin America – Central and South America
  • Europe – European Countries and Russia
  • Africa – A broad look at the many different regions of Africa
  • Middle East – Look at the 3 major religions in the Middle East
  • Monsoon Asia – All of Asia except Russia and the Middle East
  • Oceania – Australia and Antarctica
All Grades
  • Student ownership
  • Time management
  • Effective planning
  • Organization skills
  • Problem solving
  • Study strategies
  • Critical thinking
  • Accountability
  • Self advocacy
  • Responsibility
  • Self reflection
Student-athletes participating in the Minnesota state high school league for an elected sport are restricted from development with their coach in that elected sport during the off-season.