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 Curriculum Arc
5th Grade religion includes a study of the Old Testament and the Prophets, the early history of the Church, the different parts of the Mass, and the seven sacraments and Catholic prayers. 5th Grade studies physical science, learns more about Earth and space, and begins to discover more about life science. The Social Studies curriculum includes sharpening students’ geography skills and studying ancient history.
6th Grade religion includes an in depth study of the Old Testament and the Prophets, the early history of the Church, the different parts of the Mass, and a review of the seven sacraments and Catholic prayers. In Science class, 6th Grade continues the concepts presented last year in physical science, learns more about Earth and space, and begins to discover more about life science. The Social Studies curriculum centers around the themes of geography, world geography, and a study of world history.
7th Grade religion includes a study of the New Testament and the gifts of the Holy Spirit, as the students prepare for Confirmation. Several service projects are built into 7th Grade curriculum, as well. 7th Grade develops skills in geography by studying the themes of geography, world geography, and world history in Social Studies class. In 7th Grade, students also complete a deeper study of American history.
8th Grade includes a study of the New Testament and the gifts of the Holy Spirit, as the students prepare for Confirmation. Several service projects are built into the 8th Grade curriculum, as well. 8th Grade masters 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. 8th Grade continues to develop skills in geography by studying the themes of geography, world geography, and world history in social studies class. Students also focus on a study of current events. Qualified 8th Grade students also have the opportunity to take a high school level Algebra 1 class.
