Upper School (5th Grade–8th Grade)

Hausner's Upper School nurtures curiosity, independence, and a passion for learning. Through hands-on projects, interdisciplinary studies, and dynamic discussions, students explore their identities, develop critical thinking, and build leadership skills. Our holistic approach emphasizes academic excellence and social-emotional development, preparing students for success in high school and beyond.

In upper school there are many long-term projects, which means that students immerse themselves in a problem, research it and learn what it is like to understand something in depth. This is a great skill to have, since learning is very different from test taking. My kids, previously public school students, have benefited more from becoming immersed in Egyptian medicine or how to build a drone than mindlessly studying a list of facts for the STAR tests.
-Upper School parent

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A Path to Personal and Academic Growth

Our Upper School fosters a learning environment that promotes both intellectual and personal development. We offer programs designed to ignite curiosity, inspire leadership, and support each student's individual journey.

A Community That Supports Every Student

Our advisory program, small class sizes, and dedicated faculty ensure that every student is recognized and supported as they navigate their academic and personal development. Alongside a robust core curriculum, students can explore a wide range of electives that encourage creativity and critical thinking.

Some electives that have been offered in recent years include Newspaper, Film Analysis, Yearbook, Math Enrichment, Creative Writing, Spanish, Band, Art, Theatre, Science of Food, Israeli Cooking, Mandarin, Portrait Drawing, Israeli Dancing, Yoga, Coding, AI, Computer Science, Robotics, 3-D Printing, Gardening, Criminal Justice.

With opportunities for after-school sports, student council involvement, and service learning, our students are prepared to lead with both confidence and compassion.

Curriculum Highlights

5th Grade

Building Foundations in Independence

Fifth grade bridges the transition from Lower School by offering a hybrid experience. Students build confidence and autonomy through leadership roles, exploratory electives, and engaging coursework in Math, STEM, Humanities, and more.

Special Highlights include:

STEM Fair Egg Lander Projects
Students design and test contraptions to protect raw eggs dropped from great heights, fostering creativity and engineering skills.

Overnight Trip to Santa Cruz Mountains
Students experience team-building activities like hiking, low ropes courses, and campfires, all while learning about local microclimates and ecosystems.

Digital Citizenship
Weekly sessions teach responsible digital behavior and internet safety, preparing students for the online world.

6th Grade

Expanding Horizons

In sixth grade, students embark on exciting explorations of ancient civilizations, scientific discovery, and ethical debates. Our Pinnacles National Park trip, Ethics Bowl, and STEM projects foster collaboration and intellectual curiosity.

Special Highlights include:

Pinnacles National Park Trip
A four-day camping trip filled with hiking, rock climbing, and cave exploration that pushes students to overcome challenges.

Ethics Bowl
Students engage in thought-provoking debates on ethical cases, considering various perspectives while honing critical thinking and rhetoric skills.

Individual/Collaborative STEM Projects
Opportunities for participation in competitions like the Synopsys Science Fair, with projects that push scientific understanding and teamwork.

7th Grade

Developing Leaders

Seventh graders enhance their leadership skills through community projects, rigorous academic challenges, and meaningful cultural exchanges. Highlights include the Civil Rights Trip to the South and participation in our flagship philanthropy class, Avodah La’Olam

Special Highlights include:

Civil Rights Trip to the South
A transformative journey to key historical sites like the Edmund Pettus Bridge, connecting history lessons to real-world experiences of justice and civil rights.

Avodah La’Olam (Philanthropy Project)
A year-long exploration of philanthropy where students research nonprofits and present their chosen organizations during a Celebration of Tzedakah.

St. Nicholas School Exchange
Students learn about Christianity through this cultural exchange, hosting peers and sharing Jewish traditions in return.

8th Grade

Culminating the Journey

Eighth grade marks the pinnacle of the Upper School experience. Students delve into advanced topics in STEM, Humanities, and Jewish Studies, preparing for high school and life beyond. The Israel Study Tour and entrepreneurship projects leave lasting impressions.

Special Highlights include:

Entrepreneurship and Social Impact Inventions
Students create inventions to address social issues and present their projects to venture capitalists in a real-world pitch experience.

Israel Study Tour
A two-week immersive journey through Israel, connecting Jewish studies, history, and culture with hands-on experiences in places like the Old City and Tel Aviv.

Rube Goldberg Machines
In this physics unit, students engineer complex, whimsical machines to demonstrate principles of motion, force, and energy transfer.

Moot Israeli Supreme Court
Eighth graders showcase their months-long learning about the Israeli Supreme Court by pioneering a moot court experience. Students take on roles as lawyers and judges, presenting cases that involve critical issues such as religion and state matters and minority rights, fostering a deep understanding of legal principles and civic responsibility.

Highlights From the Israel Trip

6th–8th Programs

STEM Fair

STEM Fair projects guide our students to answer questions scientifically through inquiry-based learning, and teach them project management, collaboration, public speaking, design, and presentation.

Many of our students choose to take their work further and attend the county science fair. Last year, of the 25 students who participated, 12 earned awards. One 8th Grader participated in the national Broadcom Masters and placed in the top 300.

Math Competitions

Elective Programs

Student Council/Moetzet Talmidim

Advisory Programming

Through our advisory program, each student is given a dedicated outlet to express their concerns and receive critical guidance. Run by teachers at each grade level, the curriculum is both proactive and reactive to students’ needs. As our students grow and mature, the advisory supports them in becoming advocates for themselves and others. During student-led conferences, our students reflect on their progress with their advisor and share their goals and reflections with their families.

Facing History and Ourselves

Looking for in-depth curriculum information?

Download Our School Curriculum Guide

Haunser is CAIS (California Association of Independent Schools) and WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) accredited.

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Students looking into a microscope in class