At the Preparatory (7th Grade) level, students build on foundations established in 6th grade and develop the skills and confidence to challenge themselves in academic and arts courses.

Preparatory English emphasizes writing and revision, discussion, critical thinking, and the exploration of American literature.  Students read and analyze texts featuring a variety of diverse voices and explore the central concepts of power, privilege, and perspective in American culture, history, and text.

Preparatory Science studies the physical sciences, with one semester focusing on chemistry and one on physics. The schedule is rounded out with Theatre, Music, Media Arts, and Dance. As an extension of their studies in Project Citizen and the novels they read in English, students have a fall retreat focusing on poverty and sustainable food practices. In Math, students are evaluated and placed according to their skill level, typically in Math Foundations, Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, or Geometry. In Learning Lab, students continue to work with an instructor to develop their organizational and study habits. Students may take an optional World Language course, including Mandarin, Spanish or French, at the Introductory through Fluent levels.