Middle School
Our sixth, seventh and eighth grades make up our Middle School. The core curriculum consists of religion, language arts (literature, vocabulary, grammar, and writing), history, science, and math. In addition, students take three enrichment classes throughout the year: STEM, art, and physical education. Technology is incorporated in all classrooms through a variety of devices such as document cameras and SMART boards.
Religion: Although Catholic identity is infused in all subject areas, middle school students’ religion classes focus on Jesus’ life. Our aim is to provide Catholic teaching and morality that will prepare students for the Sacrament of Confirmation in 8th grade. Students participate in weekly Adoration in the Church.
Language Arts: The language arts curriculum integrates the Arizona College and Career Readiness Standards with Catholic identity themes. Literature selections cover many genres, and students have extensive instruction and practice of both narrative and expository writing as well as formal grammar and vocabulary instruction.
Mathematics: Sixth grade continues to cover operations, geometry, statistics/probability, and the basics of algebra. Seventh graders take Pre-Algebra which expands on skills from 6th grade and prepares them for the rigors of Algebra I, which is taught in 8th grade.
Science: Sixth grade studies environmental, water, and animal sciences. Earth science, chemistry, and astronomy are studied by seventh graders. Eighth graders focus on biology, physics, and chemistry. Each grade has the opportunity to do a curriculum based project during the year in addition to a project for the schoolwide Science Fair.
Social Studies: The 6-8 Standards are organized into time period themes. Sixth grade is the study of Ancient Civilization, focusing on River Valley Societies through the Middle Ages. Seventh grade studies United States History from the Enlightenment through the Industrial Revolution. Eighth grade begins with the Progressive Era, and ends with Contemporary Affairs. These units were carefully constructed, and are designed to be taught in the order in which they are written in the standards. In addition, there is a set of competency skills for 6-8 grades that are designed to be integrated into the content standards. They can be used to guide objectives, activities, or assessments.
Organizations: Middle School students have the opportunity to belong to many organizations that promote our school’s Student Learning Expectations. We have chapters of S.A.D.D. (Students Against Destructive Decisions), National Junior Honor Society, and Student Council. Students can also take part in team sports and train as altar servers.
Religion: Although Catholic identity is infused in all subject areas, middle school students’ religion classes focus on Jesus’ life. Our aim is to provide Catholic teaching and morality that will prepare students for the Sacrament of Confirmation in 8th grade. Students participate in weekly Adoration in the Church.
Language Arts: The language arts curriculum integrates the Arizona College and Career Readiness Standards with Catholic identity themes. Literature selections cover many genres, and students have extensive instruction and practice of both narrative and expository writing as well as formal grammar and vocabulary instruction.
Mathematics: Sixth grade continues to cover operations, geometry, statistics/probability, and the basics of algebra. Seventh graders take Pre-Algebra which expands on skills from 6th grade and prepares them for the rigors of Algebra I, which is taught in 8th grade.
Science: Sixth grade studies environmental, water, and animal sciences. Earth science, chemistry, and astronomy are studied by seventh graders. Eighth graders focus on biology, physics, and chemistry. Each grade has the opportunity to do a curriculum based project during the year in addition to a project for the schoolwide Science Fair.
Social Studies: The 6-8 Standards are organized into time period themes. Sixth grade is the study of Ancient Civilization, focusing on River Valley Societies through the Middle Ages. Seventh grade studies United States History from the Enlightenment through the Industrial Revolution. Eighth grade begins with the Progressive Era, and ends with Contemporary Affairs. These units were carefully constructed, and are designed to be taught in the order in which they are written in the standards. In addition, there is a set of competency skills for 6-8 grades that are designed to be integrated into the content standards. They can be used to guide objectives, activities, or assessments.
Organizations: Middle School students have the opportunity to belong to many organizations that promote our school’s Student Learning Expectations. We have chapters of S.A.D.D. (Students Against Destructive Decisions), National Junior Honor Society, and Student Council. Students can also take part in team sports and train as altar servers.