Students in Bayside’s Intermediate School learn through student-centered, hands-on activities that are exploration- and inquiry-based. In math, students are taught using curriculum and methods based in number sense and real-world problem-solving with the goal of understanding and then mastering the concepts of mathematics. Intermediate School students have dedicated classes in the science labs and STEM spaces each week with a focus on authentic discovery and design, connected to the world around them. In language arts, students in the Intermediate School progress quickly from “learning to read” to “reading to learn” and are encouraged to explore their individual style as creative writers while mastering the structure of the English language, spelling, and grammar. In social studies, students focus on the history of our state and country, building to thorough studies of United States geography and world geography through global issues. Students are taught Spanish language and culture using a comprehensible input approach based in conversation and storytelling. Additionally, students attend music and art classes twice weekly and, beginning in fifth grade, choose to join the school’s band or focus on drama and vocal studies. Play and physical activity are prioritized during our busy days in Intermediate School: students have a structured PE class 4–5 times each week and a daily recess time for free play on The Bluff.