Middle School at St. Francis Xavier
Grade 5 - Grade 8
“The future is in your hearts and in your hands. God is entrusting to you the task, at once difficult and uplifting, of working with Him in the building of the civilization of love.”
— Pope St. John Paul II
Middle School Diocesan Curriculum Standards
In addition to the specific content taught in St. Francis Xavier’s Middle school classes, the curriculum from the Diocese of Harrisburg gives a more extended look at what is covered in the classroom.
“Middle School Curriculum Sequence
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“Religion class in Grade 5 includes a study of the Old Testament and the Prophets, the early history of the Church Old Testament, the different parts of the Mass, and a review of the seven sacraments and Catholic prayers. Grade 5 students study physical science, learn more about Earth and space, and begin to discover more about life science. Social studies curriculum includes sharpening students’ geography skills and studying ancient history. Covers physical, Earth and space, and Life science”
“Religion class in Grade 6 includes a study of the Old Testament and the Prophets, the early history of the Church Old Testament, the different parts of the Mass, and a review of the seven sacraments and Catholic prayers. In Science class, students in grade 6 study physical science, learn more about Earth and space, and begin to discover more about life science. Social studies curriculum centers around the themes of geography, world geography, and a study of world history.”
“Religion class in Grade 7 includes a study of the New Testament and the gifts of the Holy Spirit, as the students prepare for Confirmation. Students also review the different parts of the Mass and the seven sacraments. Several service projects are built into Grade 7 curriculum, as well. Grade 7 students develop skills in geography by studying the themes of geography, world geography, and world history in social studies class. In grade 7, students also complete a deeper study of American history.”
“Religion class in Grade 8 includes a study of the New Testament and the gifts of the Holy Spirit, as the students prepare for Confirmation. Students also review the different parts of the Mass and the seven sacraments. Several service projects are built into Grade 8 curriculum, as well. Grade 8 students master their grammar by practicing word agreement, modifiers, punctuation, verb types, noun types, conjunctions, and interjections. Students sharpen their writing skills by writing narrative pieces, persuasive pieces, and paragraph expository essays, and polish their reading and critical thinking skills by analyzing various literature genres and characteristics of poetic form, and identifying types of conflict and a characters’ actions and motives. Grade 8 students continue to develop skills in geography by studying the themes of geography, world geography, and world history in social studies class. In grade 8, students also focus on a study of current events.”