Middle School

Students will focus on developing higher level thinking skills, mature writing skills, and study habits.  These skills will help them make the transition from memorizing information to using it to analyze, evaluate, draw conclusions and develop problem-solving skills. No longer self-contained, middle school students are assigned lockers and a homeroom teacher. They will rotate classes meeting with numerous staff members throughout the school day. Learn more about our middle school programs and teachers below.

Religion curriculum provides an integrated program of daily prayer, scripture, doctrine, family life, and church history. In addition to our regular classroom activities, the students will participate in liturgy and will grow in their appreciation of the Mass and the Sacraments. Christ Our Life is the series used.

Students receive a balanced curriculum that promotes conceptual, computational, and problem-solving efficiency. Big Ideas Math is used to assist teachers with instruction. This rigorous series emphasizes conceptual understanding, application, and procedural skill and fluency of middle school-level mathematics.

Grade 5 social studies is based on the history and geography of the Western Hemisphere, including the development of cultures, civilizations, and empires; interaction between societies; and the comparison of the government and economic systems of modern nations. Sixth grade covers Eastern Ancient Civilizations from early man to the role of the early Catholic Church. Seventh grade covers United States History from the earliest Americans through Reconstruction.  The students also create a National History Day project. In eighth grade, students explore Reconstruction to Modern Times.

The Language Arts curriculum focuses on two interrelated areas of study: Literature/Vocabulary and English Grammar/Writing. In Literature, students acquire and expand reading skills through exposure to a variety of non-fictional and fictional texts. By reading a variety of genre, students learn to recognize the elements of literature and literary devices. Class novels are selected for literary merit and cross curricular connections. In Vocabulary, students continue to expand both spoken and written vocabulary, and increase their knowledge of correct spelling. In English grammar and writing, students use the writing process to create and develop formal and informal pieces of writing and acquire a background in the conventions, usage, and mechanics of oral and written language.

The science sequence in the middle school aims for more intensive and selective study of topics. Building on the foundation of the lower grades, the middle school science program prepares students for the rigor of higher education and the challenge of content specific science in high school. Students are expected to research, investigate, experiment, write and present findings and understanding of content.

Students in sixth grade participate in a school-wide Science Fair each year. Students who place in the fair have the option to move on to the regional fair held in March/April.