Students continue developing their reading, writing, speaking and listening skills in middle school. Our content rich program is centered around essential questions that allow students to deeply explore topics in literature, history, civics, and science. Rather than basals, students engage with authentic literature, informational texts, and a diverse collection of art. Those who qualify may participate in the Gifted and Talented Language Arts program.
In addition to a deeper exploration of basic operations, students concentrate on fractions, decimals, integers, and algebraic equations. They work with ratio, proportion, percent, and data analysis. Students also deepen their knowledge of measurement and geometry concepts and skills. Strong emphasis is placed on higher order thinking and problem solving. Those who qualify may take advanced math classes in seventh and eighth grades.
Our middle school students continue their exploration of biology, chemistry, Earth science, and physics. Our budding scientists engage in hand-on investigations that require them to make predictions, conduct experiments, draw conclusions, and connect their conclusions to prior learning. Strong emphasis is placed on interpreting data, designing solutions, and other science and engineering practices.
Students continue their exploration of Social Studies with American history in grades five, seven, and eight, and world history in grade six. Strong emphasis is placed on learning to think like a historian as students engage with a variety of primary sources and historical artifacts.
Our Catholic faith is at the heart of all that we do at St. Joseph School. We live our faith by praying our morning prayers together, being kind to our friends, engaging in service projects, and listening quietly to God’s message through Scripture and the words of the priest. It is a way of living that believes that we, no matter our faith background, are all God’s children and worthy of our respect and interest. Our curriculum in the middle grades is designed to help students gain a deeper understanding of the meaning of the sacraments, early church history, the role of God and Jesus in their lives, and how their faith shapes their own sense of morality. Preparation for the sacrament of confirmation is provided for those who wish to receive it.