Sage Hill School is eagerly anticipating the launch of its middle school after opening applications for its inaugural seventh and eighth grade classes on Sept. 1.
Meanwhile, the middle school and second gym building continues to take shape behind the green construction fence. In August, construction crews poured concrete for the third floor and topped out the building’s cinder block shell. An excavator also drove multiple steel beams into bedrock to shore up the hillside. Earlier this month, crews started installing the gym’s roof.
When the three-story building is completed, Sage Hill’s enrollment capacity will increase from 600 to 750 students in grades 7-12. The administration plans to enroll 60 to 70 students in both seventh and eighth grade for the 2026-2027 school years.
Middle school students will study five core subjects – math, science, English, history, and a world language of their choice. They will also choose two electives and participate in a required team sport that will fill each student’s X block.
“The idea is that middle school is the time when students try a bit of everything and begin to see where their interests are,” Director of Middle School Dr. Joseph Moody said. Students will have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of clubs and academic teams, including Model UN, robotics, speech and debate, performing/visual arts and journalism. This diverse selection of opportunities allows students to gain experience in many different activities before entering high school.
Many of the current Sage Hill students are anticipating the new 8:30 a.m. start time implemented in the high school to stagger arrivals with the middle school and reduce rush-hour traffic congestion.
Sophomore class representative Ruby Wang shrugged off the change of having younger students on campus year round.
“I honestly don’t think it will be much different, except that we’ll have another gym to use. But I’m hoping to not see middle schoolers in my Calc C class,” Ruby said.
Sophomore Gisselle Barron expressed more enthusiasm for growing the school.
“I am excited for the younger students on campus. I think that new students mean more diverse perspectives and attributes they can offer the school,” Gisselle said.
While many students have noted their excitement to mentor younger students on campus, they have also expressed their desire to set boundaries as Sage Hill adds younger grade levels.
Dr. Moody noted that Sage would like to have a “cohesive 7-12 experience;” however, the construction of a new cafe, outdoor amphitheater, gym and practice field will allow younger students to spend most of their time on their designated side of campus. There is still room for exceptions, as middle schoolers will sit for performing at visual arts electives in the Studio at Sage Hill.
Just as important as the new building, Dr. Moody announced a slate of new middle school hires in August. Sage Hill Football Coach B.J. Crabtree came aboard full-time as the Middle School Dean of School Life and Athletics Coordinator, Math teacher Remy Carl, Science teacher Christina Kim and Latin teacher Tom Cirillo are among the new faculty members who will welcome middle schoolers in August 2026. Personal Counselor Anjali Sheth will also take on the role of Middle School Learning Specialist.
Head of School Patricia Merz said the many similarities between student life on the upper and middle school campuses.
“Middle schoolers will have their own Student Council and Student Ambassador cohort, they will participate in all-school pep rallies, and they will engage in age-appropriate programming for Service Learning and Spring at Sage,” Merz said.
By making the middle school similar to the existing high school, Sage Hill will help better prepare younger students for the academic rigor high school will demand and these similarities will help to integrate Sage Hill’s core values and mission that states “we inspire in our students a love of knowledge and the ability to use that knowledge creatively, compassionately and courageously throughout their lives.”
As construction continues to advance, Merz shared her excitement for this new chapter of Sage Hill after four years of planning.
“I am thrilled that we can now offer even more students the opportunity to experience a Sage Hill education—one that challenges them academically, supports them personally and also allows them to make mistakes, learn and grow,” she said.
