middle school
Classroom Curriculum for our Middle School: 5th - 8th Grades
Academic Excellence
In the middle school grades, students continue to separate themselves from their same grade level peers in other schools. Our smaller class sizes and personalized learning lead to students to perform at a higher level. Students move out of reading class and begin to study Literature as well as Religion, Writing, Speaking and Listening, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Art, Music, Spanish, Health, and Physical Education. Students in middle school participate in a variety of experiential, hands-on learning opportunities through science curriculum experiments and through unique field trip opportunities.
Spiritual Development
Students in the middle school grades continue to learn more about their faith through more frequent religion classes. These classes are in addition to their participation in daily prayer and Mass. They learn more deeply what it means to be a follower and disciple of Christ. The students study the Bible and by the time they finish grade 8 they will have studied the entire Bible.
Character Development
Our students are continuing to grow and develop in character in the middle school grades. At this age, students are growing more focused on peers and social relationships. They are guided and supported in our safe environment to communicate effectively, work through conflict resolution, and to be firm in their faith and character. They continue to be guided to be respectful of all others, including classmates, teachers, and property.
Service
Students in middle school grades learn about and understand the importance of serving others. In addition to the monthly school-wide service projects, the students choose their own service projects. When reaching 7th and 8th grades, the students run their own student-led small business and raise funds for a charity of their choice as a culminating service learning project. This business, SJOA Café, allows the students to bring service learning together with their business and economics studies.
