Middle School Rises at Sage Hill, Admission Applications Open
By: Daniel Langhorne
Driving southbound on State Route 73, Newport Beach residents may have noticed Sage Hill’s Middle School Building & Second Gym Project taking shape in recent months.
In August 2026, Sage Hill School expects to induct up to 140 middle schoolers into the inaugural classes for grades 7 and 8. School leaders say the 38,658-square-foot building’s opening will be a major landmark for Orange County’s premier independent school, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.
In addition to the middle school, a new state-of-the-art gymnasium will provide approximately 1,000 seats, capable of accommodating both the upper and middle school communities for athletics and other school-wide events.
“We are building more than just classrooms -- we are building a community where younger students can begin to explore who they are, develop their voice and grow with confidence and purpose,” Head of School Patricia Merz said.
Sage Hill opened the 2026-2027 admission application for grades 7 and 8 on Sept. 1, 2025. Prospective families with students currently in grades 5-11 are invited to attend Sage Hill’s largest event of the year, Admission Open House, to meet some of their future faculty members and coaches on Saturday, October 4. Please visit sagehillschool.org/openhouse to register and select your entry time.
“Opening applications for our inaugural middle school classes is a thrilling milestone. We cannot wait to welcome our first 7th and 8th grade students and usher in this next era of Sage Hill School,” Merz said.
One of the key structural elements of the middle school experience is the proposed daily schedule.
Middle school students will start their day at 8:00 AM and finish at 3:00 PM, while upper school students will begin at 8:30 AM and conclude at 3:30 PM. This intentional stagger of start times will allow for a smoother drop-off and pick-up period.
To also help alleviate additional traffic flow on Newport Coast Drive, work was completed over the summer to extend the left turn lane that many families use to make the U-turn that leads into the school’s driveway.
In keeping with the school’s mission to inspire well-rounded students, middle schoolers can expect a robust and balanced daily schedule. Academically, the middle school offers a strong core curriculum in English, math, history, science and world languages. Sage Hill will continue to prioritize small class sizes for all grade levels, capping all classes at 20 students. Middle school classes will likely range between 15-18 students.
The middle school day will culminate with an athletics block, emphasizing participation in team sports as a vital component of physical health and personal growth. Each middle school student will participate in three seasons of athletics as part of their school schedule.
Additionally, middle school art electives will include dance, visual art, vocal music, instrumental music and theater. Other electives include computer science, study skills, leadership, Model United Nations, Junior Classical League, Debate, Robotics and Journalism. Each of these courses are thoughtfully designed to prepare them for the advanced topics or competition they’ll encounter at the high school level.
"We are designing a middle school experience that not only prepares students academically but also fosters teamwork, resilience and a strong sense of community," said Dr. Joseph Moody, Director of Middle School, who joined Sage Hill in 2024. "Every element of the program is being thoughtfully crafted to support students at this critical stage of their development."
Middle school students will enjoy a combination of shared and separate experiences with the upper school. Lunch will take place at the same time, though each division will have designated eating spaces to create a sense of identity and community.
Sage Hill’s signature programs, such as Advisory, Spring at Sage, Service Learning and Town Meetings, will have middle school versions tailored to the needs of younger students. Additionally, students will participate in middle school grade level retreats at the beginning of each year, providing opportunities for personal growth, class bonding and leadership.
"The launch of our middle school represents an exciting new chapter for Sage Hill," Merz said. "We are committed to creating a program that nurtures curiosity, builds character and lays a strong foundation for future success."