The spiritual development of our students is central to our school's mission. Our middle school religion curriculum includes the areas of study such as sacred scripture, church history and traditions, liturgy and Eucharist, virtues, justice, doctrine, the sacraments, and spirituality. Additionally, we focus on morality, respect for life, community service and the importance of prayer.

Specific areas of study at each grade level include:

6th grade: Old Testament.

7th grade: New Testament and preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation.

8th grade: Ten Commandments and Morality.

Beyond religion classes, our students actively participate in prayer, school liturgies, retreats, devotions, and a wide variety of service projects throughout the year. We aim to actively create a mutually supportive environment that fosters a love for God, love for one another and a desire to serve the greater community.

The language arts curriculum for middle school includes rigorous coursework in both writing and literature:

Writing skills are honed through extensive work on grammar and usage, parts of speech and sentence structure. Students are tasked to apply these skills within a variety of writing styles (autobiographical, descriptive, research, persuasive, compare and contrast, creative writing and poetry) and approaches (timed writing, essays, MLA formats and outlines).

Literature classes deliver expanded reading and vocabulary skills, as well as understanding of literary elements such as plot construction, characterization, theme, setting and symbolism. Students are exposed to a wide range of literature, including mythology, novels, poetry, short stories and nonfiction, with both independent and group reading assignments.

Language arts skills are further advanced by interdisciplinary teaming and research-based presentations throughout Middle School.

There are two main paths students typically follow:

Most students begin 6th grade on the middle path, taking 6th grade Math, followed by Introduction to Pre-Algebra in 7th grade, and finishing middle school with an Introduction to Algebra 1 in 8th grade. These students will likely take Algebra 1 in 9th grade.

Other students take advanced Math in 6th grade, moving into Pre-Algebra in 7th and Algebra 1 Honors in 8th grade, typically followed by Algebra 2 or Geometry in high school.

Student placements in Middle School math are made with careful consideration of previous test scores, grades, and information from past teachers. Although most students remain on the same path from 6th through 8th grade, students can be moved as needed. We are extremely proud of our exceptional math program and its ability to meet the needs of all our students, preparing them well for high school.

6th Grade:

Sixth grade science focuses on Earth Science. The Earth Science curriculum builds on the natural curiosity of students. By connecting them to the beauty of geological history, the amazing landforms around the globe, the nature of the sea and air, and the newest discoveries about our universe, the curriculum gives students an opportunity to relate to their everyday world. Students will explore topics such as the fundamentals of geology, oceanography, meteorology, and astronomy; Earth’s minerals and rocks; Earth’s interior; plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, and the movements of continents; geology and the fossil record; the oceans and the atmosphere; the solar system and the universe. Lesson assignments help students discover how scientists investigate the science of our planet.

7th Grade:

7th grade Science focuses on Life Science. The Life Science program invites students to investigate the world of living things—at levels both large and small—by reading, observing, and experimenting with aspects of life on Earth. Students explore an amazing variety of organisms, the complex workings of the cell and cell biology, the relationship between living things and their environments, and discoveries in the world of modern genetics. Students tackle such topics as ecology, microorganisms, animals, plants, cells, animals, species, adaptation, heredity, genetics, and the history of life on Earth. Lesson activities and assignments help students discover how scientists investigate the living world.

8th Grade:

8th grade Science focuses on Physical Science. The Physical Science program introduces students to many aspects of the physical world, focusing first on chemistry and then on physics. The course provides an overview of the physical world and gives students tools and concepts to think clearly about matter, atoms, molecules, chemical reactions, motion, force, momentum, work and machines, energy, waves, electricity, light, and other aspects of chemistry and physics. Among other subjects, students study the structure of atoms; the elements and the Periodic Table; chemical reactions; forces, including gravitational, motion, acceleration, and mass; and energy, including light, thermal, electricity, and magnetism.

The following courses will focus on critical thinking, problem solving, and analytical skills.

6th grade:

The 6th grade year is a study of ancient World History. Students study the development of world civilizations in the Eastern Hemisphere, beginning with Early Humankind and the Neolithic Revolution through the development of the first major civilizations. All units include an examination of the impact of religion, economics, politics, and social history on the developing world. Students study the development and changes of complex civilizations. Emphasis is placed on the fact that many of the civilizations developed concurrently and impacted each other.

7th grade:

Students begin the school year learning about the world’s geography, with a focus on the Eastern Hemisphere. Students will learn to interpret the world through the five themes of geography: place, location, human-environment interaction, movement, and region. As a result, students will examine the major regions of the Eastern Hemisphere, and break each down into its physical and human characteristics, with an emphasis being placed upon its culture.

During the second semester of the year, Civics is introduced and students will study the ins and outs of the United States government. Major topics covered by the course include the foundational documents on the government, the basics of our representative democracy, and our legal institutions. Students will explore and develop life skills that are key to being a flourishing member of American society, including personal finance, civic participation, and political reflection, following Catholic teachings.

8th grade:

Students study the history of the United States from the age of exploration and colonization to the end of Reconstruction in 1877. This course allows students to take a closer look at a particular segment of history and gives them a different perspective than other social studies courses. Students will examine the full scope of Early American history including the American Revolution and writing of the Constitution, the early Republic and the Age of Jackson, Westward Expansion, and the rise of sectionalism before the course culminates with the Civil War and Reconstruction. Students will also examine the Rights and Responsibilities as Citizens as laid out by the U.S. Constitution.

Created to inspire and encourage bright young minds, electives are also wonderful springboards for exploring new interests and applying learning in unique ways.

Middle School students in each grade level have the opportunity to take up to two electives offered in a school year; as well as the opportunity to repeat some of their favorites. The curriculum is built to grow and expand with the students who are passionate to be challenged if they want to take a class twice.

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