Middle School (Grades 6-8)

Where Purpose Meets Possibility

The middle school years represent an important time of growth, discovery, and emerging independence. At Khan Lab School, we've crafted a middle school experience that honors this unique developmental stage while empowering students to thrive as students and individuals.

Khan Lab School’s mastery-based program is highly student-centered, rooted in the belief that all students can achieve mastery while recognizing that each learner has unique needs. The flexibility of our mastery-based approach allows students to progress at an individualized pace, empowering them to revisit and strengthen foundational concepts, as needed, before advancing or having the option to dive deeper into subjects that spark their curiosity. For those who demonstrate readiness, we offer the option to participate in high school level classes.

Our mixed-age learning community creates meaningful interactions between students from all grade levels, fostering natural opportunities for collaboration and peer mentorship with our upper school students frequently stepping in to lead both academic and extracurricular experiences.

As an intentionally small learning community, we foster a strong sense of connection and purpose, ensuring that students feel both supported and valued as they navigate these formative years. This environment encourages them to more confidently identify and express their unique voices and gain greater self-awareness as individuals, becoming increasingly more active and engaged community members.

* Our 6th graders will move to our Mountain View Campus in the Fall of 2025

Academic Program Highlights

This school's academic program, in addition to our core courses, offers a range of innovative features to support student learning and wellbeing. These elements combine to cultivate essential skills and foster a balanced, enriching educational experience.

• Minimal Homework Program: Our minimal homework program focuses on providing opportunities for students to complete work at their own pace so they can engage more deeply in learning during the school day. It also supports a healthy balance with personal interests and fosters well-being through ample time for rest and family.

• Life Skills Lab: A course designed to foster essential practical and academic skills growth with social and emotional learning.

• Applied Learning: A STEAM-based approach to developing service projects that either benefit the school community or the surrounding community.

• Weekly Advisory: This Program is designed to provide consistent personalized academic support and guidance to students in small, grade-level groups of 8-10.

• Goal Time: A dedicated period during which students can work at their own pace on projects, catch up on missed assignments, and complete any additional coursework. 

• Exploratory: A wide range of elective classes offered each term, ranging from computer science to art to business and entrepreneurship.

• Intersession: A one-week travel program designed to complement and enhance our curriculum through hands-on, real-world learning experiences.