7th Grade Curriculum

• Students learn how to form their consciences and make moral decisions.
  
• They study the Ten Commandments, Beatitudes and Virtues.
  
• They examine the Creed, divine revelation and the deposit of faith.
• The also read and discuss the Gospel of Luke throughout the year.

Social Studies

• Students are exposed to Medieval world history and exmaine several cultures: European, Islamic, African, Japanese, Chinese, Central and South American. 
  
• The students analyze the social structure, government, religion and economy of each culture.

Language Arts

• Students read Literature selections including: The Giver, Walk Two Moons, What Hearts, The Adventures of Ulysses, Anne Frank: the Diary of a Young Girl and Beowulf.
  
• Composition focuses on strategies and application; vocabulary is developed and language conventions are addressed.

Science

• Students study Life Science which covers the structure and function of living things. 
  
• The curriculum is taught with an emphasis on investigation and experimentation and is very interactive and "hands-on".

Mathematics

• Students are exposed to a variety of pre-Algebra topics: integers, equations and inequalities, rational and irrational numbers.
• They also learn functions and graphs, probability and statistics, plane and solid geometry, ratios, percents and proportions, trigonometric ratios, polynomials and properties.

8th Grade Curriculum

• Students learn about and participate in the liturgical life of the Church, focusing on prayer, sacraments and the liturgical year.
  
• They discover their Catholic roots through the of study Church history.
  
• Throughout the year students read and discuss the Acts of the Apostles.
  

Social Studies

• Students cover United States history from 1492 to 1920. 
  
• They analyze U.S. politics, government, wars, and culture. 
  
• They also participate in debates, skits, games, and other activities to reinforce the material.
  

Language Arts

• Students are exposed to literature selections including: Of Mice and Men, To Kill a Mockingbird, Night, Lord of the Flies, and Farewell to Manzanar.
  
• Poetry selections are studied and selected genres of poetry are composed throughout the year.
  
• Composition focuses on strategies and application; vocabulary is developed and language conventions are addressed.
  

Science

• Students explore physical science, covering motion and force, matter and energy, and the periodic table.
  
• Course work is inquiry-based and therefore very challenging and "hands-on".
  

Mathematics

• Students examine a variety of algebra topics including properties of exponents, written response problems and graphs and functions.
  
• They also learn linear equations, systems of equations and inequalities, exponential functions, polynomial functions, polynomial factoring, quadratic equations and functions, radical expressions and equations.

Jr. High Highlights

7th Grade Highlights

• Natural History Museum fieldtrip
• Science Museum fieldtrip
• NET Retreat
• Monastic fieldtrip
• Community Service activities

8th Grade Highlights

• May Crowning
• Student Body Masses
• Wacky Olympics
• NET Retreat
• Graduation
• Fieldtrips:  Getty, Japanese American National Museum, Museum of Tolerance and Superior Court

Music

Students in grades K-6 receive music instruction once a week.  Students learn to apply vocal and instrumental musical skills in performance. Performance ensembles include the handbell choir, recorder consort and the school choir for grades 2 and up.

Technology

Students receive weekly computer instruction in the school lab.  Classes focus on computer literacy and safety, keyboarding skills, word processing and desktop publishing.  

Drama

After-school classes provide theatrical training for 5th through 8th grade students. Fall and Spring Productions offer students the opportunity to perform for live audiences.

Language

The Spanish language is taught through group interaction and fun activities.  The lessons include pronunciation, intonation, and basic grammatical structures.  The goal is an appreciation of Spanish culture and basic conversational skills.  Students in grades 7 and 8 also receive a serious introduction to Latin (1.5 hours/ week)

Physical Education & Sports Offerings

Students participate in physical education class twice per week.  Physical fitness and team work are focal points of the instruction. Competitive team sports and cheerleading are available to students in grades 5-8.  Sports include:  football, basketball and volleyball for boys and volleyball, basketball and softball for girls.