Why Middle School Matters: Preparing Students for Upper School and Beyond at Saddle River Day School + OPEN HOUSE May 5 + 12

One of the questions parents of middle school students ask most frequently when they consider moving their children to Saddle River Day School is, “When is the optimal time to apply for admission?” Many families believe that their middle schoolers should maybe just wait and apply for admission to the Upper School in the 9^th grade. Although 9^th grade is the traditional time for students to make that transition, there are a number of reasons why a transfer to Saddle River Day School in the 7^th or 8^th grade is a  logical move that will set your student up for future success. 

First and foremost, the Middle School curriculum at Saddle River Day School is rigorous, flexible, and innovative. High achieving students are given the option of taking Upper School and Advanced Placement (AP) classes while they are still in 7th and 8th grades. In addition to providing them with the kind of challenge their active brains need, this accelerated track enables students to pursue college credit, research opportunities, and additional electives during their Upper School years. But even if your student is not interested in, or eligible for an accelerated track, the rigorous curriculum will prepare them well for their transition to Upper School and, eventually, colleges like Cornell, Georgetown, UPenn and Wake Forest where SRDS graduates are thriving.

Of course, even the smartest kids are going to struggle if they don’t have a strong foundation in executive function, study, and research skills. It is a priority and a focus of the middle school faculty to provide this structure for our students with incremental, age appropriate programs like the 4 year, scaffolded Capstone curriculum, designed to teach and strengthen research and writing skills, develop presentation skills, encourage personalized learning, and inspire intellectual risk-taking. Every SRDS student leaves our middle school prepared for the deep critical and analytical thinking that will be required of them in upper level courses. 

The 7^th and 8^th grades are also a time of exploration and experimentation. During these years, it is imperative that we expose students to an array of experiences that will support their healthy intellectual, social, and emotional growth. With this in mind, the Middle School schedule has been designed such that during the last period of their school day, students are able to participate in enrichment classes in which they can learn a new skill, or hone one they’ve already mastered.

Students in the 7^th and 8^th grades are just on the cusp of young adulthood. They are testing their independence and pushing boundaries. At Saddle River Day School, our low student-to-faculty ratio means that students are able to spread their wings under the watchful eyes of dedicated, trained professionals who can mentor and encourage them while also guiding their choices and decisions. Our classroom advisory system means our educators get to know the students, enabling them to determine the best way to advise and steer each one. This kind of care is a hallmark of an SRDS education. 

Research indicates that the success of first year college students directly correlates to the preparation they received in their pre-college years. It is also becoming evident that the skills students need must be embedded in their academic pursuits as early as possible. Saddle River Day School cultivates an environment of curiosity, innovation, imagination, experiential learning, and personal achievement, all within a supportive, family oriented community. In short, our students and their parents know we, as a school, will be on the forefront of thought and education. 

If you’re considering a change for your rising 7^th or 8^th grader, or for more information about Saddle River Day School, please contact our Office of Admissions to schedule a personal tour. Limited space is still available for Fall 2026. Inquire regarding financial assistance.

VISIT SADDLE RIVER DAY SCHOOL

Middle School Information Session and Tour

May 5th and May 12th at 4 pm

*Limited space for 7th and 8th grade Fall 2026

Transportation and financial assistance available.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR EVENTS

Now is the right time to invest in your child's education. At SRDS we teach students how to think and not what to think, and we prepare students to be innovators, thinkers, and leaders.

To register for an event, please email or call Kris Sweeny in the Office of Admissions ksweeny@saddleriverday.org or (201) 327-4050.

Saddle River Day School

Pre-K3 to Grade 12

147 Chestnut Ridge Road  •  Saddle River, NJ 07458  •  Tel: 201.327.4050

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About Saddle River Day School

Established in 1957, Saddle River Day School is a Pre-K3 through grade 12, co-ed, independent school serving just under 600 students. The school provides a robust curriculum and inspires students to achieve academic and personal excellence by teaching them how to think and not what to think. Each division (Lower PreK3-4th; Middle 5th-8th; Upper 9th-12th) offers a signature yearlong research program.

Saddle River Day also offers 30+ advanced placement and honors level courses, a full range of visual and performing arts as well as interscholastic athletics (grades 6th-12th), and highly individualized college counseling to encourage students to discover their passions and prepare them for whatever comes next. SRDS graduates are thriving at colleges like Duke, Columbia, Cornell, Georgetown, Johns Hopkins, NYU, Northwestern, Villanova and Wake Forest.

For more information about the project or Saddle River Day School, please visit saddleriverday.org.