Programs by grade
What each year looks like
Marlowe is a 13-year continuum. Each grade builds on the last; each grade has its own character. Below: program highlights at every level.
Lower School (K–4)
The foundation
Kindergarten
Inquiry-based; play + structured learning. Reading readiness, math foundations, social-emotional development. Outdoor classroom 2 days/week. Class size 14.
Grade 1
Phonics-based reading. Singapore Math transition. Daily writing journal. Beginning Spanish exposure. Forest school once weekly.
Grade 2
Reading fluency + comprehension. Multi-digit math. Social studies — community + neighborhoods. First instrumental music (recorder).
Grade 3
Multiplication mastery. Reading complex texts. Science exploration — animal classification, simple machines. Choir begins. Beginning violin (optional).
Grade 4
Long-form writing projects. Pre-algebra concepts. Massachusetts state history. Cross-country running club. End-of-Lower-School cumulative project.
Middle School (5-8)
The bridge
Grade 5
Beginning Spanish OR Mandarin. Pre-algebra. Earth science with hands-on labs. Humanities focus: ancient world. First overnight outdoor education trip (Cape Cod).
Grade 6
Algebra readiness for some. Life science. Humanities focus: medieval Europe + Asia. Athletic team tryouts begin. Visiting-author residency annually.
Grade 7
Algebra I (some students). Physical science. Humanities focus: modern Europe + Americas. Multi-day Acadia expedition. Performance music (orchestra/band/jazz).
Grade 8
Algebra II for most. Environmental science capstone. Civics + identity humanities. Peer mentor program (with Grade 5). Cumulative Middle School graduation project.
Upper School (9-12)
College prep + beyond
Grade 9
World History. English 9. Algebra II or Geometry. Biology. Foreign language continued. Required arts + athletics. Adviser system begins.
Grade 10
US History. English 10. Geometry or Algebra II. Chemistry. Foreign language continued. PSAT in fall. Beginning of college planning.
Grade 11
Modern World. English 11. Pre-Calc or Calculus. Physics. AP options begin. SAT/ACT preparation. Junior-year college visits.
Grade 12
History electives. AP English. Advanced math. Science electives. College applications complete by Dec 1. Senior Project research + execution. Capstone Senior Project public defense in May.
Across all grades
What stays consistent
Faculty advisor system
Every student has a faculty advisor. Lower School: classroom teacher. Middle + Upper: dedicated advisor across multiple years. Advisor knows student academically + socially + emotionally.
Outdoor + experiential learning
Built into every grade. Lower School outdoor classroom. Middle + Upper multi-day expeditions (Cape Cod, Acadia, Vermont, etc.). Outdoor + experiential is fundamental to Marlowe.
Arts + music — required across grades
Visual + performing arts in every grade. Lower School: explore broadly. Middle + Upper School: choose depth. Senior arts capstone optional in Upper School.
Athletics — built into curriculum
Lower School PE daily. Middle + Upper School athletic participation required. Teams + clubs cover most students; non-team athletic options for those who prefer.
Service + community engagement
Service learning Grade 5+. Senior service project required Grade 12. Local + global community engagement built into curriculum.
Whole-child report cards
Multiple dimensions reported: academics, character, engagement, growth. Single GPA reported only in Upper School (for college applications).
Grade-specific questions
What parents ask
- Most enter K, Grade 5 (Middle School), or Grade 9 (Upper School). We accept transfers in other grades when space allows. Smallest entry classes: K (28 students). Largest: Grade 5 (40+) and Grade 9 (45+).