SPA’s Grade 6 advisory program combines curriculum, community, and social-emotional learning. Students meet daily in small groups with a faculty advisor to build relationships and develop Middle-School skills. Through structured activities and reflective conversations, advisories foster respect and personal growth. Advisors advocate for each student and serve as the primary link between school and home.

Students follow a six-day block schedule, attending two to three academic classes each day. Homework is designed to take 60–75 minutes each evening, with built-in quiet study time for students to get started and access teacher support during the school day. Parents play a key role in supporting student success by helping children maintain a study routine and avoid distractions at home.

What better way to learn than immersive arts residencies? Grade 6 students have the opportunity to work with Minnesota arts nonprofit COMPAS and Heart of the Beast (HOTB) artists to create masks, explore movement, and examine assumptions and stereotypes. These signature programs nurture self-expression, social-emotional growth, and a strong sense of community in Middle School.

All Middle School students at SPA receive a school-owned laptop for use in every academic class, starting in Grade 6. Students participate in targeted mini-lessons on digital skills, responsible electronic communication, and decision-making in technology-rich environments. Technology faculty also guide students through hands-on learning in 3D design, 3D printing, and engineering, fostering creativity, problem-solving, and innovation.