Curriculum

English / Math / Science / Social Studies / Foreign Language / Theology / Non-Core Classes / Counseling / A+ Learning Center

English

6th Grade English

• A forum for students to explore and undersdtand grammar and mechanics within their writing.
• Students will learn a variety of skills throughout the course which will focus on: parts of speech, the writing process, presentations, vocabulary, graphic organizers, a variety of novels will be read as group and individual study skills.

 

7th Grade English

• Reading- Elements of a story, short story, and novel reading, cross curricular examples of non-fiction
• Grammar - Parts of speech, sentence and paragraph structure
• Writing - Essay composition (MLA formating)
• Vocabulary - "Vocabulary Workshop" workbook

 

8th Grade English

• Grammar: Systematic instruction on parts of speech
• Writing: Sentence Paragraph 5-paragraph paper
• Vocabulary: Vocabulary Workshop
• Reading: Emphasize short stories Learn Elements of a novel Biographies Non-Fiction/Essays Poetry 
• A variety of novels will be read as a group and individually.
• Presentations
• Study Skills: Outlining Note Taking Mind Mapping Organizational Skills

 

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Math

• Students will be given a math placement test in the late spring to determine their correct math placement.
• Integrated Math will be offered to everyone with an emphasis on problem solving and critical thinking skills. Students may be enrolled in the appropriate high school class as indicated by the placement test.

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Science

Grade 6

• Earth Science - Rocks, Minerals and Soil This topic focuses on the study of rocks, minerals and soil, which make up the lithosphere. Classifying and identifying different types of rocks, minerals and soil can decode the past environment in which they formed.
• Physical Science - Matter and Motion
  This topic focuses on the study of foundational concepts of the particulate nature of matter, linear motion, and kinetic and potential energy.
• Life Science - Cellular to Multicellular
  This topic focuses on the study of the basics of Modern Cell Theory. All organisms are composed of cells, which are the fundamental unit of life. Cells carry on the many processes that sustain life. All cells come from pre-existing cells.
  
  
  

Grade 7

• Students learn to describe interactions of matter and energy Develop scientific inquiry skills Apply math skills to evaluate and analyze variables and data Draw conclusions Recognize the effect of technology Will study ecosystems, organisms and photosynthesis

Grade 8

• Explore  the physical features of Earth and how they formed, including the interior of Earth, the rock record, plate tectonics and landforms. Examine forces and motion within, on and around the Earth and within the universe.

Explore topics focusing on the continuation of the species

 

 

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Social Studies

Grade 6

• Study of easteran hemisphere through the lenses of geography and history with emphasis on the skills of interpreting maps, graphs, and charts.

Grade 7

• World Studies from 1000 B.C. to 1750: Ancient Civilizations through the First Global Age
• Students learn that its geographic setting, culture of the people, economic conditions, government conditions and citizen action shape each historic event

Grade 8

• U.S. Studies from 1607 to 1877: Colonization Through Civil War
• While studying historical events in United States’ history, students will consider its geographic settings, economic implications, developments in government and the role of the citizen
• Analytical skills will be put to practice thorugh reading primary documents and esay writing

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Foreign Language

Grade 7

• Exploratory Language Approach:  Each quarter, students are introduced to a new language Languages available are French, Latin and Spanish Emphasis on basic listening and speaking
• Vocabulary:  Greetings, numbers, alphabet, family, foods, clothing, sports Question words
• Grammar: Subject Pronouns Basic regular verbs Making Questions Negatives
• Culture: Geography Family Life Schools Foods Recreation

Grade 8

• Students would choose one foreign language to study for a complete year and be included in the high school class

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Theology

Students will return to their home parish for confirmation classes

Grade 6

• Students will study the Old Testament’s major lessons and people, explore the concept of saints as they apply to the Catholic faith with examples of Jesuit Saints, and participate in weekly Liturgy Service.
• Campus Ministry will host a sixth grade retreat.
• Students will also participate in frequent volunteer opportunities and  organized reflections.
• Students will learn how to read scripture as the revelation of God's word. They will see, through examining many sources, that the Word in the Old Testament parallels Christ's ministry.
• Students will learn the special relationship Catholics share with the Jewish people in ritual and spiritual ancestry through the convenant of our patriarch, Abraham.

Grade 7

• Involves exploration and exegesis (analysis) of the New Testament. Students will engage the life of Jesus Christ by examining the Jewish expectations of the Messiah, the socio-political climate of first-century Palestine, the identity and importance of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Her role in Salvation History, the works and teachings of Jesus during His active ministry, and the Paschal Mystery (Jesus’ suffering, death, Resurrection, and Ascension). The course will end with a study of the content and impact of the Acts of the Apostles, the Epistles, and the Book of Revelation. The goals of this course are:
  • To explain the fundamental importance of the Incarnation (God becoming Man)
  • To illustrate connections between the Old Testament and the New Testament
  • To connect Jesus’ parables, miracles, and moral teachings to the institution of the seven sacraments
  • To analyze the necessity of Jesus’ Passion, Death, and Resurrection
  • To identify ways in which we continue Jesus’ “Great Commission” to make disciples of all nation

Grade 8

• Examines the history of the Catholic Church.  It will begin with the Acts of the Apostles and will conclude with key moments in the 20th century, especially the Second Vatican Council.  In our survey of church history we will see that the Church is composed of saints and sinners, and that she constantly needs reform while being faithful to the deposit of faith.
• Goals of the course are...
  • to gain a fundamental understanding of the chronology of Church history.
  • to appreciate how Church dogma and doctrine have developed through the ages
  • to understand how Church councils resolve doctrinal and disciplinary disputes
  • to examine and understand the Creed of the Catholic Church
  • to understand how the structure of leadership developed in the Church
  • to examine the on-going relationships between the Church and the State
  • to gain some understanding of how Catholic worship has evolved over the ages

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Non-Core Classes

All Academy students will have the opportunity to have specialized instruction in the following:

• Band (elective)
• Art
• Physical Education
• Computer Classes

Electives

• Puzzles & Games
• Greenhouse enrichment 
• Civil War enrichment 
• Math enrichment
• Fly Fishing enrichment
• Athletics & Fitness
• Team Sports
• 6th Grade Band
• 7th & 8th Grade Band
• Media
• Yearbook
• Art

Academy Sports

• Students will participate in CYO sports with opportunities for intramurals and club sports.
• The football, cross country, track and basketball teams will participate in the CYO league.
• Students may play with their own parish teams.

Academy Clubs, Activities and Organizations (The number of activities offered depends on the level of interest)

• Chess
• Field Trips
• Newspaper
• Bowling
• Dances
• Video Yearbook
• Intramurals  
• Fun Nights
• TV-4
• Destination Imagination
• Spelling Bee
• Juggling
• Power of the Pen
• Geography Bee
• Student Council
• Math Counts
• Science Fair

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Counseling

• There will be a Big Brother program to aid in the new school transition process.
• The Academy has its own full-time counselor to address the social and academic needs of its students.

 

Academy A+  Learning Center

•  An Academy-dedicated tutor directs the Academy Academics Plus (A+) Learning Center to help each student reach his fullest potential with an after-school tutoring program.

 

 

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