The goal is for these students to be thinkers, inquirers, flexible, open-minded, empathetic, knowledgeable, creative, honest, and collaborative; these qualitative intentions shape and guide the work of Sixth Grade everyday. Middle school students are active learners, and experiential education is important. Sixth Grade values their outdoor classroom, both out and about on the beautiful campus and off campus. Students intentionally learn to extend classroom skills into the greater world, highlighting that learning is everywhere; it can be found in the minute and monumental. Sixth Graders engage in dialogue, look at the world and ourselves, and take time to teach and learn responsively. Welcoming myriad guest speakers into the classroom, students practice listening, taking notes, asking insightful questions that further the discussion and learning, and gleaning knowledge from different people with different styles. Sixth Graders study mathematics””including the philosophy and history of math””literature, writing, geography and map-making, world cultures, 20th Century history, and current issues. Students explore the meaning of broad concepts such as “story” and “culture."