Middle School: 6th-8th Grades
St. Anne-Pacelli middle school students score above grade level and above the state and national averages on standardized testing in all areas.
With an average class size of 19, St. Anne-Pacelli middle school students are not lost in the shuffle. Our teachers believe every student can be successful and are available before school, after school, and at lunch for extra help. Core subjects in middle school are English Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Religion. For extra emphasis on the applied mathematics, science, and technology skills needed for today's world, all 7th graders have a STEAM class. Our middle school students also have course options in art, TV production, 3D design, weight training, theater, ceramics, digital media, drama, band and chorus, just to name a few. At St. Anne-Pacelli, students have the opportunity to explore interests and develop talents by participating in a variety of clubs, activities and sports in an environment with faith at the forefront. Recognizing that we live in a digital world, all of our middle and high school students have their own Chromebooks and use them daily to build digital writing portfolios, post and submit class assignments through Google Classroom, and build knowledge and practice essential research skills. More Information about Middle School Courses Language Arts Sixth grade: Development of critical thinking is a major focus. Reading skills are taught in the context of literature. Vocabulary skills are taught. Grammar, mechanics, sentence structure and paragraph structure are taught in detail. Spelling is taught, along with vocabulary. Seventh grade: Students further analyze literature for literary technique. Development of higher-level analytical skills is a major focus. The five-paragraph essay is introduced. Students regularly make use of the writing process, word processing, computer presentations and research skills. Eighth grade: The genres of literature and their specific elements are analyzed in depth. The formal stages of the research and the development of the research paper are major focuses. The five-paragraph essay is further developed, and the thesis statement is introduced. Mathematics Sixth grade: Critical thinking skills are emphasized in regard to analysis and problem solving. Whole number operations, fractions, decimals and estimation are reviewed. Students also study number theory, measurement, Geometry, statistics, graphs and probability. Seventh grade: Mathematics classes are divided based on students' abilities. Classes offered are general Math and Pre-Algebra. Eighth grade: Mathematical classes are divided based on students' developmental abilities. Classes offered are Pre-Algebra and Algebra. Eighth graders who meet high school requirements to enroll in Algebra earn high school credit. Science Sixth grade: Students' spirits of inquiry are nurtured and encouraged via the Earth Science curriculum. Students study concrete things they can see, feel and experience around them, and the more abstract idea of our place in a larger universe. Seventh grade: Life Science studies give students an overview of the diversity of living organisms, the structure and function of cells, heredity, ecosystems and biological evolution. Seventh graders also learn about coding, robotics and computer programming in a daily STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts and Math) class. Eighth grade: Students learn about common strands in Physical Science, including: the nature of matter; and the laws of energy, matter, motion and forces. Social Studies Sixth grade: Major regions of the world, including Europe, Latin America, Canada and Australia, are examined. The following core elements will be studied throughout the year: history, geography, civics and economics. Seventh grade: Major regions of the world, including the Middle East, North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, are studied. The following core elements will be taught throughout the year: history, geography, civics and economics. Eighth grade: Students trace the history of Georgia in the context of the development of the South and the United States. The chronological focus of the course includes a geographic overview, earliest inhabitants of Georgia, foundation of Georgia in the 18th century through the state’s development in the 20th century. Religion Sixth grade: The focus is on understanding the Bible. Students begin by studying the Old Testament and gradually continue through the early New Testament. Seventh grade: This course centers on Jesus and His disciples and preparation for reception of Confirmation. Eighth grade: Church History is offered in 8th grade. The successes and difficulties the Church has faced and the discussions of Councils are studied. Our gifted program exists for those 6th and 7th graders who qualify. |
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