Middle School Curriculum
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Religion, Science, Social Studies, Mathematics and Language Arts are departmentalized.
Religion:The theme of Religion in Grade 7 is Jesus. Students study the life, values and teachings of Jesus and are challenged to lead a Christian lifestyle.
Through Scripture, students learn to appreciate the sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation as signs of hope.
Students are encouraged to develop Christian attitudes and behavior.
The theme in Grade 8 is Church History. Students survey the major historical periods of the Church in order to come to a deeper understanding of their heritage. They are encouraged to make their own lives reflect the beliefs and commitment of the Church community.
They participate in personal prayer, Mass and the sacraments.
Family dynamics, morality and values are covered in the Family Life curriculum in both grades 7 and 8.
As with every grade level, 7th and 8th grade have Peace Class once a week that focuses on life skills and social and emotional learning.
Mathematics:
Our mathematics courses offered to grades 7 and 8 are leveled based on a number of criteria to ensure all our scholars can excel in the learning environment best for them.
In 7th grade Pre-Algebra I, students will work with integers, mixed numbers and rational numbers. They will write and solve equations and inequalities. Studies also include statistics, probability as well as an introduction to polynomials and two-dimensional and three-dimensional geometry.
There are two math courses available to 8th grade students; Pre-Algebra II and Algebra.
Pre-Algebra II is the standard math course for all students. In addition to building on their knowledge of topics from Pre-Algebra I, students will study topics that include irrational numbers, linear algebra, trigonometric ratios, and Pascal’s Triangle.
8th grade students also have the opportunity to enroll in Algebra, which is the equivalent of 9th grade Algebra. Topics include Systems of Linear Equations and Inequalities, Radical Equations, Polynomials, Quadratic Functions and Linear and Non-Linear Functions.
Science:
Grade 7 Science includes studies of cellular transport, photosynthesis and respiration, viruses, immunity, the plant kingdom, ecosystems, the Earth’s atmosphere, the Moon, and the solar system.
Grade 8 Science includes studies of the general properties of matter, the Periodic Table, atomic structure, chemical reactions, thermal energy, forces, gravity and space travel.
Language Arts: & Reading
In grades 7 and 8, Language Arts & Reading courses emphasize a variety of skills. Language Arts includes grammar and vocabulary skills as well as various types of writing, such as creative writing, literary analysis, and research-based writing. Reading includes both whole-class novel study and choice reading. The reading and writing workshop models are used throughout the curriculum.
Social Studies:
In grades 7 and 8 the Social Studies Curriculum is taught using a Projects Based Learning approach. Project-based learning is an approach to curriculum design centered on student inquiry, collaboration, and research. Traditionally, projects tend occur at the end of a unit, so students can show their understanding of the content--after learning the material through more teacher-centered instruction. In a project-based learning unit, however, students learn during every stage of the project--the process of planning, researching, creating, and presenting the project is how the students learn the content of the unit.
Students in grade 7 examine history starting with early exploration through the Civil War. 8th grade Social Studies covers Reconstruction up through the end of The Cold War in the 1980s.
Economics
Once a week, students in grades 7 and 8 have a Microeconomics course taught by our Principal Mr. Reid. The economics curriculum covers such topics as:- Opportunity Costs
- Production Possibilities Frontier
- Specialization & Trade
- Supply & Demand
- Economic Markets
- Stock Market
- Financial Planning