Each grade is split into three teams, each having a team leader, five standard academic teachers, and a Special Education teacher.[6] All of the students throughout the school share 4 counselors, one for each grade, in addition to one "Student Support Counselor."[8] There is also a grade wide Unified Arts team, which consists of teachers for "Art", "Health", "Music", "Physical Education", and "Technology & Engineering." Each team is named after a gemstone: sixth grade is Topaz, Diamond, and Ruby. Seventh is Opal, Sapphire, and Garnet. Eighth is Emerald, Amethyst, and Garnet. The Garnet team is split between 7th and 8th grade. [4][5][6] Students in each team would not have the same academic or Unified Arts classes with those in another team in most cases, exceptions usually due to the school's honor system (above grade courses).
The school was named after King Philip, a war chief of the Wampanoag Indians and their leader in King Philip's War.
The building was completed in 1955, and cost $3,446,540.44. It is on 42 acres (170,000 m2), and the building is 186,000 sq ft (17,300 m2). It has a capacity of 700 for elementary students and 830 for middle school, but is presently only used for middle school students.
King Philip opened in September 1955, with 345 students, and a teaching staff of 17. The school day was made up of 7 periods.
During the 1961-1962 school year, French and Spanish were offered as electives two periods per week. During the fifth period of the day, the entire school studied or elected a music activity. Clubs and athletic activities were carried out before and after school. Some 7th and 9th grade students were offered accelerated programs. Now, world language is considered an academic so it is taught every day for students taking it.
During 1962-1963 year, a flexible form of individualized scheduling was introduced, and block scheduling was eliminated. Also, a reading consultant was provided for 3 days a week for additional help.
King Philip Middle School was a Blue Ribbon School in 1986–87.[9]
In 2016, Mandarin Chinese was added as a world language opportunity for the middle school.