Middle School (6th-8th)

Systems, Leadership & Legacy

A woman with glasses and orange hair, wearing a striped dress, points at a group of children sitting on a wooden railing on a deck outside. The children are raising their hands or looking at her.

Middle School at Woodson Branch Nature School is designed to be a transformational experience. In this critical window of adolescent growth—between childhood and young adulthood—we provide the structure, freedom, challenge, and support students need to truly become. Our 6th–8th grade program weaves together nature, academics, creative expression, and real-world skills, empowering students to emerge as capable, grounded, and joyful learners ready for life beyond WBNS.

Our mission is simple: to nurture the whole student. Through discovery, play, rigor, and reflection, our Middle Schoolers develop a strong sense of identity, responsibility, and purpose.

Students move forward through the grade levels as they demonstrate their readiness for the next set of grade-level skills

A young boy using a propane torch to burn or treat wooden planks outdoors with a mountain and trees in the background.
Children selling handmade crafts and baked goods at a Christmas market inside a wooden barn, with holiday decorations and string lights.
A man demonstrates planting with a small wheelbarrow in front of a group of children outdoors near a tree and a river with some cliffs in the background.
Young boy using binoculars in a wooded forest, with a girl with bright orange hair and striped pants holding another pair of binoculars in the background.
A group of children and teenagers sitting in a circle on wooden benches under an open wooden shelter outdoors, engaging in a discussion or activity, with a few adults present, some using a phone, and a house with stairs and black shutters in the back
A group of teenagers standing in front of a colorful graffiti mural on a large container, with spray paint cans scattered on the ground in front of them.
Young man wearing a virtual reality headset, smiling and kneeling on the ground, with other people in the background.
A young boy with curly blond hair, wearing a sports jersey, is lying on a wooden table and taking a photo with his smartphone. Behind him, a man with glasses and short brown hair, wearing a plaid shirt, is smiling. The setting appears to be a classro
A holiday craft sale booth decorated with Christmas ornaments and lights. Three children, two boys and one girl, stand behind the table. The table has a handmade sign that reads 'Jeb + Hendrix's Desings' with a list of items for sale, including candy
A young girl with long light brown hair wearing a festive black jacket with colorful Christmas lights pattern, and a reindeer headband with gold bows, leaves, and star decorations. She is indoors with wooden walls, and another child wearing Christmas
Screenshot 2025-07-08 at 11.56.00 AM.png
A young woman with long blonde hair smiling and a young man with short dark hair using a handheld power planer in a woodworking shop.
Group of children and an adult gathered around a wooden table outdoors, engaged in a hands-on activity with tools and materials, with a rustic building and outdoor scenery in the background.
Three children picking apples from a tree in an orchard, smiling and enjoying their activity.
A group of people, including children and adults, spray paint graffiti on a large black wall outdoors on a sunny day. The graffiti features vibrant colors including blue, purple, and teal.
Girl with glasses and gray hoodie taking a photo of woman with pink hair and a peace sign sweatshirt outdoors.
Children and adults sitting and standing outdoors in a wooded area near a wooden shed, some wearing festive hats, with mountain and cloudy sky background.
Two children looking at a computer screen displaying images of animals, with an adult also observing and pointing at the screen in a classroom or library setting.
A group of children and an adult sitting around a table harvesting and preparing green beans, with bowls of shelled beans and bunches of unharvested beans on the table, in a rustic outdoor shelter.
Children participating in an educational activity about corn inside a rustic wooden structure with open windows, some seated at tables and others standing around a table covered with dried corn husks.
A young woman with light brown, wavy hair, wearing a gray jacket and hood, is writing or drawing on a wooden plank with a pencil. She is outdoors at a rustic table surrounded by gardening or outdoor supplies, including cans, twine, a yellow paper bag
A teenage girl and an adult man outdoors under a canopy, working on a woodworking project with a wooden can. The girl is holding a piece of wood and a tool, while the man observes. There are tools and supplies on a wooden table in front of them, with
A rustic woven wooden fence runs along the edge of a grassy yard with dense green trees and bushes behind it.
A young woman with long brown hair, wearing a gray jacket with a fleece lining, is writing on a piece of wood with a pencil outdoors. She is surrounded by canned goods, a plastic bag, a yellow paper bag, and a digital meter on a weathered wooden table. Green trees and some construction materials are visible in the background.

Curriculum At-A-Glance

  • 6th Grade – Explore interconnections: ancient civilizations, regenerative food systems, watershed studies.

  • 7th Grade – Step into leadership: mentoring, environmental solutions, community documentaries.

  • 8th Grade – Demonstrate mastery: capstone projects in survival, sustainability, publishing, or innovation.

Description of Subjects

Our Project-Based Learning model integrates all grade-level, standards-based subjects (ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies, SEL, Eco-Arts, Regenerative Agriculture, STEAM, Outdoor Education & Survival, and Music) into meaningful projects connected to nature, community, and real-world problem-solving.

  • Literacy skills are cultivated daily through authentic experiences. Students practice phonics and decoding in the younger grades, then build toward fluency and comprehension through engaging texts connected to project themes. Writing is integrated into projects as students document research, craft narratives, create persuasive pieces, and reflect in journals. In this way, reading and writing become purposeful tools for communication and storytelling rather than isolated drills.

  • Math concepts are taught through real-world applications within projects. Students explore number sense, operations, geometry, measurement, and data analysis in meaningful contexts—such as tracking plant growth in the garden, designing structures, mapping trails, or budgeting for a classroom project. Sacred geometry and patterns in nature provide inspiration for both conceptual understanding and creative application.

  • Science comes alive through inquiry, observation, and experimentation outdoors and in the classroom. Students ask questions, test hypotheses, and document findings as part of their projects. From studying ecosystems in the forest, to experimenting with renewable energy, to analyzing soil quality in agriculture, students apply the scientific method while connecting to natural cycles and phenomena.

  • History, geography, civics, and culture are integrated into projects that connect students to their place and community. Younger students learn about their immediate environment and local traditions, while older students engage with broader historical themes and global perspectives. Projects might include studying the Cherokee history of North Carolina, simulating early settlement life, or exploring democratic decision-making within the classroom.

  • Students engage with the cycles of planting, harvesting, composting, and animal care as part of their projects. Agriculture lessons highlight soil health, biodiversity, and sustainability, teaching children how humans can work in partnership with the land. From preparing meals with harvested foods to designing regenerative systems, students learn both practical skills and ecological responsibility.

  • Outdoor Education builds awareness, resilience, and connection through direct experience in nature. Projects might include camping, shelter-building, water purification, orienteering, and fire-making (with age-appropriate progression). Students also practice mindfulness and observation in the forest, learning to track animals, identify plants, and cultivate both confidence and humility in wilderness settings.

  • STEAM projects invite innovation and problem-solving rooted in nature. Students design and build structures, experiment with simple machines, explore coding and robotics, and integrate artistic design. The STEAM lab and outdoor spaces become testing grounds where creativity and critical thinking merge, showing students how human innovation can mimic and collaborate with the natural world.

  • Eco-Arts blends creative expression with ecological awareness. Students use natural materials and recycled resources to create visual art, music, and performance pieces that celebrate and interpret their projects. Whether painting with natural dyes, building community sculptures, or composing songs inspired by the forest, Eco-Arts fosters self-expression while deepening appreciation for the natural world.

Students Learn To…

A young boy wearing a black basketball jersey with red and yellow stripes is lying on a wooden table, taking a selfie with a smartphone. Behind him, an older man with glasses and a plaid shirt is smiling and looking down. There are water bottles on the table, and colorful educational posters and signs on the wall.

6th Grade : Understand Systems & Interconnections

Sixth graders explore how natural, social, and scientific systems intersect. Projects might include mapping watersheds, investigating ancient civilizations, or analyzing regenerative food systems. Math skills such as ratios, proportions, and early algebra are applied in building, cooking, and environmental design. Reading and writing emphasize research and synthesis, while science and outdoor survival connect students to the cycles and systems of the natural world.

Group of children and adults gathered around a wooden table outdoors, with some engaged in an activity and others observing. The scene takes place in a rustic, outdoor setting with a barn and trees in the background.

7th Grade : Step Into Leadership & Responsibility

Seventh graders engage in projects that require leadership and service. They may mentor younger peers, design solutions to environmental challenges, or create media to tell community stories. Math deepens into algebra, geometry, and data analysis, while reading and writing emphasize clarity, persuasion, and project proposals. Science focuses on energy, ecosystems, and human impact. Students are challenged to balance independence with teamwork, practicing integrity and accountability.

Two children and an adult looking at a computer screen displaying images of small animals, specifically a bird, in a classroom or computer lab setting.

8th Grade : Demonstrate Mastery & Legacy

Eighth graders take on capstone projects that showcase their readiness for high school and beyond. They might build survival toolkits, launch sustainable business models, or publish original works. Math includes advanced algebra and geometry applied to financial planning, design, or modeling. Writing focuses on research papers, persuasive essays, and creative works that highlight student voice. Science projects explore genetics, climate systems, and renewable energy. Outdoor education culminates in survival challenges and field leadership. These projects serve as each student’s legacy—evidence of their mastery, identity, and stewardship.

Focus & Skills

  • Advanced understanding of natural systems and human interconnections, applying observation, analysis, and reflection to complex issues.

  • Sophisticated use of the arts and creative design to communicate, innovate, and inspire action.

  • Practical mastery of regenerative agriculture, sustainability, and survival skills, recognizing their relevance to both history and the future.

  • Application of advanced mathematics—algebra, geometry, and data analysis—within authentic, project-based contexts like engineering, budgeting, and modeling.

  • Strong literacy and communication skills, using research, argument, and creative writing to express ideas with clarity, persuasion, and personal voice.

  • Exploration of science and social studies through in-depth projects that connect past, present, and future systems locally and globally.

  • A mature sense of responsibility and leadership, seeing themselves as capable changemakers and stewards within their community and beyond.

A group of children and teenagers sitting in a semi-circle under a wooden pavilion, participating in an outdoor meeting or discussion, with some wearing hats and casual clothing, on a sunny day outside a white house.
Children sitting on the ground in a wooded area with a teepee made of sticks and trees in the background.

Unstructured Forest Time

Aside from being outdoors as much as possible for our core curriculum subjects, and traversing the property throughout the day, students experience 1-1.5 hours each day of unstructured (but not unsupervised!) time in our woods, fields, trails, and creeks.   Here, we have witnessed students building natural shelters, creating games, constructing dams in the creek, and checking in on various habitats of the bugs, insects, birds, and wild animals who reside at Woodson Branch Nature School.  Some choose quieter independent activities like reading a book, writing in their journals, or drawing under a tree or umbrella when its raining.  The value and benefits of this daily practice is immeasurable, but evident in the level of creativity and success with projects during focus times.  Time in nature is a gift that we take very seriously in honoring at WBNS!

Three kids outdoors, two girls and a boy, holding apples on a tree branch. The boy wears a cap and white shirt, the girl on the right has bright pink hair, and the girl in the background is smiling and wearing a blue shirt.

More than Prepared

Middle School at WBNS bridges the wild wonder of childhood with the responsibility of young adulthood. Our students leave us with not just academic readiness for high school and early college—but also real-world life skills: time management, emotional regulation, collaboration, and the confidence to navigate complexity with clarity and care.

Whether they’re building a garden bed, performing original poetry, leading a hike, or solving an algebra problem in the forest, WBNS Middle Schoolers are learning to lead their own lives—with integrity, creativity, and heart.

Get in Touch