Children in the Lower School take courses in music, art, dance, library, computer, woodworking and physical education taught by specialists in their fields. During the Middle School years at Far Brook, students take on increasing levels of responsibility for their own learning and participation in Far Brook life. In the classroom, emphasis is placed on organization and study skills as academic expectations inspire students to work in greater depth and scope. They begin to participate on inter-scholastic sports teams, to present class plays in Morning Meeting, and to assume ever more demanding roles in school pageants and traditions. Literature study, research and class plays grow out of each year's history curriculum.
Students read mythology and works of the period such as The Tale of Troy and Beowulf .
Research projects may include reports on Egyptian gods and goddesses, the significance of the bull in Minoan society, or the role of women in medieval society. Class plays have included The Myth of Osiris , Sophocles' Antigone , and Shakespeare's Julius Caesar . The language arts curriculum focuses on the development of skills for reading, written expression, and oral language. Great literature and a variety of published and teacher-made materials provide opportunities to hone reading comprehension skills. Effective written expression is fostered through expansion of vocabulary, attention to mechanics of writing, and exploration of creative and expository writing genres.