Upper School (5th Grade–8th Grade)

Special highlights include:

Walden West Science Camp 

During a week-long environmental science camp in Saratoga, students breathe the cleanest, freshest air while exploring the mighty redwood forests; learn about matter, ecosystems, food webs, and astronomy; and gain an understanding of the toll of the human footprint. 

Adolescence Education 

In learning what it means to be a young adult, students discuss how to develop a positive body image, examine gender norms and their intrinsic inequality, learn to embrace the differences of others, and gain tools for conflict resolution.

Green Screen History Projects 

With technology and creativity, students create a news report to recreate a moment in history.

Book Clubs 

In groups that change throughout the year, students read and discuss both fiction and fantasy books, homing in on their important themes.

Special highlights include:

Hammurabi Mock Trial

While applying Hammurabi’s Code to legal scenarios of the time, students take on legal roles and synthesize their knowledge of Babylonian and Mesopotamian history. 

Creek Clean Up and Water Monitoring Project

Students clean up our local creek to contribute our efforts to protecting the bay. Then, we analyze water samples, checking water quality and observing microscopic life.

Camping in Pinnacles National Park

During this science field trip, our students build perseverance, resilience, and teamwork.

Special highlights include:

Avodah L’Olam Philanthropy Project

An intensive year-long program, students explore ethical questions, social action, and leadership. A guided process leads students to discovering the values that are important to them and to finding an organization that resonates with those values. Students present their chosen organization’s merits to their classmates through presentations and persuasive essays, and work collaboratively to allocate funds for the selected organizations. This program corresponds with taking on many of the obligations of a Jewish adult, including tzedakah, righteous giving of oneself to others, and bettering the kehillah, community.

Catalina Island

During our four-day field trip to Catalina Island, our students experience aquatic sciences and even go snorkeling at night!

Julius Caesar Mock Trial 

The fate of Brutus and his co-conspirators rests in our students hands – and the tenets of the Roman legal system. In this integrated humanities project, students practice their public speaking skills through opening and closing arguments, witness testimony, and cross examinations.

Special highlights include:

Israel Study Tour

Before our students travel to Israel, they engage in an educational journey to Israel’s most significant eras – from the Roman era to the Ottoman Empire, and from the Second Aliyah to the British Mandate, and from Israel’s Independence and the challenging early years as a state to becoming a powerhouse of economics, industry, electronics, and technology. These lessons culminate in the Israel Study Tour, when students immerse themselves in Israel – visiting the very sites they studied.

Service Learning

Weekly service learning activities foster students’ community responsibility and connection. 

Students take on leadership roles, organizing programs, such as walk-a-thons and food drives, to serve the community.

Rube Goldberg Machines 

The culmination of the STEM physics unit, Rube Goldberg Machines enable our students to  demonstrate their knowledge of Newton's Laws of Motion, simple machines, and potential and kinetic energy. Students design and create in collaborative groups.