Intermediate School | The Independence School

Developing habits that inspire life-long learning.

Intermediate School at Independence includes 4th and 5th grade. These grade levels mark a meaningful shift as students gain confidence, take more ownership of their learning, and begin to connect effort with achievement. They sharpen their collaboration skills, develop empathy, and continue building strong character. Through a balance of challenge and support, students cultivate curiosity and independence—laying the groundwork for a lifetime of learning.

The Intermediate School Indy Experience

Intermediate School students take on greater independence and meet rising academic expectations, building a solid foundation for the transition to Middle School. Signature experiences such as the economics Business Session in 4th grade and the Famous Person Showcase in 5th grade bring lessons to life in meaningful and memorable ways. These students also benefit from our unique Learning Applications (LeApps™) curriculum, which uses the latest brain research to help them understand the learning process itself. Explore some of our Intermediate School curriculum highlights below.

Learning to Explore

Learning and playing in nature is a powerful part of the Independence experience in Intermediate School. Our 90-acre campus provides both space for exploration and a source of inspiration. Creek studies and time outdoors now connect more deeply to science, which becomes a core subject area with increased class time and more in-depth investigations. Nature also inspires writing, offering students a quiet place to reflect and discover ideas. Trails, streams, and open spaces remain favorite classrooms, encouraging curiosity and creativity across disciplines. Research affirms that this regular connection to the outdoors not only enriches academic learning but also supports students’ overall health and well-being.

Learning to Learn

Intermediate School students develop essential skills to become organized, efficient learners. Each year, students build on core areas such as listening, organization, study techniques, neuroscience and metacognition, and collaborative learning. In 4th grade, students are introduced to study and planning strategies. By 5th grade, they participate in a dedicated LeApps™ class where they apply these tools across all subject areas.

Learning to Communicate

In 4th and 5th grade, students sharpen their communication skills through focused grammar, writing, and reading instruction. They write creatively and analytically, culminating in personal stories and research papers that highlight their growing command of language. Peer editing, collaborative writing, and a weekly adaptive language arts program strengthen vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension—laying a strong foundation for confident, expressive learners. Students also engage in a variety of collaborative activities and public speaking opportunities that allow them to build confidence, refine their presentation abilities, and strengthen their overall oral communication skills.

Learning to Balance

Intermediate school students learn to find balance, both within themselves and in their relationships with others. Through a focus on growth mindset, goal setting, emotion management, empathy, kindness, and problem-solving, they build the social and emotional tools to navigate challenges, connect with others, and take ownership of their learning. A regularly scheduled Health and Wellness course complements these foundational skills, helping students grow with confidence, curiosity, and compassion.

Learning to Lead

In Intermediate School, students begin to take greater ownership of their learning and discover how they learn best. With more independence comes new opportunities, changing classes, making choices in extracurricular activities, and even participating in intramural athletics. Fourth graders step into leadership as entrepreneurs through their Economics project, Business Session, where they design and run their own businesses. Across grades, students are encouraged to lead their day with growing confidence, developing the skills that will prepare them for the responsibilities of Middle School and beyond.

Meet Our Head of Intermediate and Middle School, Amy Graham
"As a former 5th grade teacher, I have always loved working with intermediate students. At this age, learners are maturing academically and beginning to engage deeply with more advanced content. They are like sponges, eager to absorb new knowledge, and they approach challenges with a willingness to take risks and try new things. It’s a wonderful stage for exploring interests and embracing a wide variety of experiences."

Meet Our Full Faculty & Staff