Ready for the World
Eighth Grade marks the culmination of the Waldorf grade school journey — a meaningful threshold between childhood and adolescence. As students grow in independence and self-awareness, the curriculum invites them to engage deeply with the modern world and their place within it.
Studies of revolutions around the world, colonialism in the United States, and movements for human rights and social change help students examine the forces that have shaped societies and continue to influence our lives today. The sciences expand through physics, chemistry, physiology, and meteorology, sharpening students' capacity for careful observation, critical thinking, and investigation of the natural world. Algebra strengthens analytical reasoning, while running a foodservice business, garment making, music, and an in-depth class play continue to build financial skills, creativity, craftsmanship, and self-expression.
A hallmark of the year is the Eighth Grade Project, in which each student pursues an area of personal passion through independent research, practical work, and mentorship before presenting their findings to the wider community. The year culminates in a week-long rafting expedition on Utah's Green River, where students deepen their connection to one another and the natural world while building resilience, responsibility, and teamwork.
By the end of eighth grade, students emerge with confidence, intellectual curiosity, and a strong foundation for the transition to high school and beyond.
Eighth Grade Curriculum
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Language Arts: Short stories, poetry, essay and creative writing, in-depth written reports, complex literary and informational texts, public speaking, and preparation and presentation of the 8th Grade Project
Literature may include: To Kill a Mockingbird, Braiding Sweetgrass, I Am Malala, Red Scarf Girl, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, The Tempest
History & Geography: United States history, American government, human rights, civics, world geography with emphasis on economic and political systems, colonialism, industrial and technological revolutions, and freehand world mapmaking
Mathematics: Practical applications of arithmetic, algebra, and geometry, Algebra I or an assigned alternative, and exploration of Platonic solids
Science: Inorganic Chemistry (carbohydrates, proteins, and fats), Meteorology (weather systems, cloud formations, forecasting, and global climate phenomena), Physics (aerodynamics, fluid dynamics, electromagnetism, current electricity, motors, and optics), and Human Anatomy and Physiology (skeleton, muscles, joints, connective tissue, and the structure of the eye and ear)
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Business Operations: Students operate a hot lunch service and weekly bake sale to learn business fundamentals and raise funds for class trips and adventures
World Languages: Spanish and American Sign Language
Social Studies: Applied Civics
Artistic Work: Charcoal and portrait drawing, detailed main lesson book work
Fiber & Practical Arts: Use of sewing machines (pajama pants and assembly-line service projects), woodworking (functional automatons), and gardening
Music: Advanced choral singing and combined 7th & 8th grade orchestra
Movement: Fitness, strategic team games, advanced track and field training (running, relays, javelin, discus, shot put, high jump, and long jump), team sports (i.e. basketball, volleyball, ultimate frisbee, street hockey, etc), and social dancing
Cyber Civics: Continued use of classroom laptops, typing and keyboarding, digital presentation and communication skills, critical media literacy, analysis of online and AI-generated information, misinformation and news literacy, media bias, privacy, digital well-being, and ethical participation in the digital world
Eurythmy
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Field Trips: Spark Museum, regional high school plays and musicals, Mount Baker Theater
8th Grade Challenge: Backpacking and rock climbing in the North Cascades
River Rafting with Deer Hill Expeditions: 6-day rafting trip on the Green River in Utah, as a capstone of the 8th grade year and outdoor curriculum
Regional Events: Seattle Track & Field Meet, Middle School Dances
Sample Daily Schedule
8:30am - Main Lesson
10:30am - Snack & Recess
11:00am - Applied Civics
11:45am - Spanish
12:30pm - Lunch & Recess
1:15pm - Fiber Arts
2:00pm - Choir
3:00pm - Close
Early release Fridays at 1:15pm
Eighth Grade Highlights
Capstone Projects
8th Grade Challenge
Confidence On Stage
Green River Rafting
Capstone Projects
8th Grade Projects
The 8th Grade Project is a rite of passage in the Waldorf curriculum, with each student completing a year-long independent study alongside a mentor from their chosen field. From pottery, poetry, and rock climbing to bike building, clothing design, music production, and more, students pursue a topic that reflects their own passions and curiosity. The journey culminates in a formal, public presentation to their peers, parents, and community members, a milestone moment where students stand before their community with confidence, mastery, and poise.
8th Grade Challenge
Finding Courage in the Cascades
Each fall, our students venture into the North Cascades for the 8th Grade Challenge, where they backpack through breathtaking wilderness, cook their own meals, filter water, and learn to rock climb with North Cascades Mountain Guides. This trip challenges our 8th graders to be flexible, courageous, and to find strength in each other and in themselves.
The rock climbing portion has been generously supported by Jill Heckathorn and Glenn Merrill in memory of their son, 2005 WHWS graduate Jake Merrill.
Confidence On Stage
All the World’s a Stage
One of the hallmarks of a Whatcom Hills education is our graduates’ confidence and experience in front of an audience —whether as part of an orchestra performance, a member of a theatrical production, or an 8th grader giving a solo Powerpoint presentation about their year-long project.
That confidence begins building in first grade, when classes start performing skits and presentations at a weekly all-grades assembly, and deepens through annual class plays, musical performances, and Eurythmy recitals. By the time 8th graders are ready to present the results of their capstone 8th Grade Projects, they have spent countless hours onstage and are ready—and eager—for public speaking and performance in the future.
Green River Rafting
“The rivers flow not past, but through us.”
The 8th grade outdoor curriculum culminates with a six-day guided rafting trip on the Green River. Students learn the technical skills to succeed on a multi-day river adventure—but more importantly, they solidify their bonds to each other as soon-to-be-alumni, get up close and personal with an entirely new landscape and ecology, and reflect together on their WHWS journey.
In keeping with the Waldorf emphasis on collaboration and shared responsibility, the trip is largely funded—by design—from the students’ own work: their hot lunch business, bake sale, and personal fundraising all give them a sense of engagement and ownership (not to mention budgeting and business savvy). Read more about the Green River experience with Deer Hill Expeditions.
8th Grade in Pictures
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“It takes courage to try something in front of others. It takes courage to be awkward, to be uncertain, to let other people see you learning. And [our students] practice that courage: on the stage, in project presentations, in our studies, in hard conversations, in games, in reading groups, in the wilderness, on the river, and in the daily life of the classroom.”
Meet the Teaching Team
Classroom Teachers
Staff Photos
Specialty Teachers
Staff Photos
