Middle School Experiences
Electives
At AVS, elective courses provide students with the opportunity to explore a wide range of interests across visual and performing arts, media production, and technological theory and application. In sixth grade, students experience a trimester each of visual arts, drama and media arts, and music, giving them a well-rounded foundation. In seventh and eighth grade, students can choose from a diverse and exciting array of electives designed to challenge and inspire. These courses include:
Examples of Courses Currently Offered:
- 6th Grade Art Appreciation: In this course, students explore art history and movements while experimenting with various materials and techniques. They learn to keep an open mind, build responsible and respectful critical thinking, and develop self-reflection skills in a collaborative and creative classroom environment.
- 7th Grade Ceramics: Students are introduced to the fundamentals of ceramics, from hand-building to clay recycling, firing, and glazing. Inspired by both contemporary and historical artists, this course connects to content from other classes at AVS. Students will gain an appreciation for the unique and delicate properties of clay while creating authentic pieces of art.
- 7th Grade Scale It Up: This course blends history, mechanics, and physics as students study medieval siege weapons. They begin by building small-scale models and then use math to "scale up" their creations, adjusting materials and designs as necessary to recreate the ancient machinery.
- 8th Grade Studio Arts: This yearlong project-based course offers a deep dive into various techniques and materials, such as glass fusing, ceramics, printmaking, and different drawing methods. During T3, students will submit proposals for independent projects, allowing them to explore their personal artistic interests under the guidance of their teacher.
- 8th Grade Interdisciplinary, Exploring the Cave: This course works in conjunction with Mr. E-L’s ETC course, where students deepen their understanding of history through hands-on experimentation and exploration of materials and techniques that may have been "lost" to time. Concepts from ancient times are applied to contemporary art, blending historical exploration with modern practice.
- Data Analysis (8th Grade Math Elective) Data Analysis is designed to introduce students to the exciting opportunities available at the intersection of data analysis, computing, mathematics, and the humanities through interdisciplinary projects and rigorous discussion. Data is everywhere, and this course will help prepare students to live in a world of data. DA focuses on practical applications of data collection, interpretation, and communication, to give students concrete and applicable skills. Instead of using small, tailored, curated data sets as in a traditional statistics curriculum, this curriculum engages students with a wider world of information that falls into the "Big Data" paradigm and is derived from students' lived experiences. In contrast to the traditional formula-based approach, statistical principles are taught by inference built from using automated randomization and simulations. Students will practice visualizing and communicating their findings from the data in verbal, visual, and multimedia formats. By the end of this course, students should find themselves with a transformed understanding of the many ways data and bias shape how one processes the world.
Community Engagement
AVS Middle School students recognize that they are part of the culturally diverse community of San Francisco's Mission District. This connection to the community is reinforced daily as students walk to Mission Park for lunch and attend PE classes at Coronado Park.
Throughout the year, our students channel their energy and enthusiasm into various service projects across the city. Whether volunteering at the SF-Marin Food Bank, serving meals at GLIDE, running a clothing drive for Dolores Street Community Services, or participating in neighborhood trash clean-ups, our middle schoolers wholeheartedly embody AVS’s mission of educating students to be catalysts for positive change in the world.
Bridges
Bridges is a unique 6th-grade course designed to support students in their transition to middle school and help them adopt a "middle school mindset." Bridges focuses on developing essential executive function skills, social-emotional learning competencies, and mindsets that promote both academic and personal growth. It also introduces students to critical technological skills and digital citizenship practices. Throughout the year, students will build and strengthen routines that foster purposeful learning and meaningful relationships. They will also establish strategies for organization, prioritization, and self-advocacy—skills that will guide them toward success in middle school and beyond.
Each trimester, the course emphasizes organizational structures that foster purposeful learning and meaningful relationships through mindful lessons, hands-on activities, and collaborative projects. Additionally, students engage in computer coding and programming, enhancing their logical thinking, creativity, and willingness to take risks. Key aspects of the class include team-building, creating community, establishing trust and cooperation, and nurturing a growth mindset.
Edges
This 7th-grade course is designed to strengthen the relationship between academic and social-emotional learning. Students will encounter themes of equity and justice. Ultimately, we will seek to further develop and explore our understandings and attitudes about equity, equality, privilege, rights, discrimination, bias, prejudice, and justice through an inquiry and problem-based approach. Authentic projects are designed to connect to real-world issues - past and present - of identity and challenges in our local and global communities. We learn about the history of activism that has helped realize the American promise, and how students can become a part of this tradition. Students will have the opportunity to engage in and identify social justice issues that they are personally connected to and passionate about.
High School Counseling
Starting in the spring of seventh grade, students and families begin working with the High School Admissions Counseling team to navigate the high school admissions process. AVS provides students and families with the resources, guidance, and individualized support needed to help families understand and manage the various steps involved. Parents and students participate in regular 1:1 meetings with the counseling team to discuss progress and address individual needs.
In eighth grade, all students enroll in Destinations, a class that meets 2-3 times per week and offers structure and support for the transition to high school. Each trimester is tailored to address the evolving needs of eighth graders, allowing them to focus on both academic and non-academic preparation. In the first trimester, students concentrate on high school application deliverables, receive guidance on essays and interviews, and set personal goals. In the second and third trimesters, the focus shifts to high school readiness skills.
AVS students apply to a diverse range of private, boarding, faith-based, public, and charter schools across the Bay Area and beyond. Since 2020, AVS graduates have been accepted to the following schools. Bolded names indicate where AVS alumni have matriculated.
Academy of Thought and Industry (closed)
Archbishop Riordan HS
The Bay School
Bentley School
Brentwood College School
Cate School
Choate Rosemary Hall
College Preparatory School
Convent & Stuart Hall
Cranbrook Schools
Crystal Springs Uplands School
Drew School
Fusion Academy
Galileo HS
Gateway HS
Head-Royce School
ICA Cristo Rey Academy
International HS
Jewish Community HS
Junipero Serra HS
Lincoln HS
Lowell HS
Lick-Wilmerding HS
Lincoln HS
Lowell HS
Marin Academy
Maybeck HS
Nueva School
Phillips Exeter Academy
Phillips Academy Andover
Putney School
Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep
St Ignatius College Prep
San Domenico School
SF Girls’ School (closed)
SF School of the Arts
Shawnigan Lake School
Sonoma Academy
Stanford Online HS
Sterne School
Thacher School
University HS
Urban HS
Waldorf HS
Washington HS
Western Reserve Academy