About Middle School
A Place to Belong
Middle School at Saint Joseph consists of sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. There are two sections of each class. Each class begins and ends their day in homeroom.
Days consist of six core subjects: Literature, English Language Arts (ELA), Math, Science, Theology, and Social Studies. Classes are 47 minutes long, rotating between 7 periods per day. Students participate in four specialists: Art, Music, Spanish, and Gym, and partake in a WIN “What I Need Time” once per week.
Safe, Supportive Environment
As students transition to middle school at Saint Joseph, they move into their own separated space in our building. Our middle school program moves from the homeroom setting of the elementary grades to a structure that features academic specialists teaching each subject area. Students benefit from this team of teachers working with them during the three years of middle school.
As a Catholic school, faith is at the heart of all that we do and teach.
Our Middle School students:
Participate in weekly liturgies. Student lectors, song leaders, sacristans, and servers at liturgies.
Receive daily theological instruction
Participate in community service and pilgrimages
Participate as cast and crew in yearly school musical
Middle school students are given additional responsibilities and we look to them to be leaders and role models for our younger students.
Our Middle School House program exists to intentionally form joyful disciples who are courageously charitable and joyful persons of integrity.
Middle School Academics
Math: Students continue learning the Math Expressions curriculum in sixth grade to prepare them for Pre-Algebra in 7th grade and Algebra I in 8th grade. Additionally, one section of each grade level works a grade level ahead, learning Pre-Algebra in 6th grade, Algebra I in 7th grade, and Geometry in 8th grade. Using MAP test data, previous grades, and teacher recommendations, we place students in classes that challenge them, but also allow them to build confidence.
Literature: Middle school students develop as readers and writers through regular literature classes, in which students study novels and complete independent reading. Each grade studies several novels each year in class, studying great books such as Where the Red Fern Grows, The Outsiders, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Animal Farm, and The Adventures of Ulysses among others. Students develop their vocabulary through studying these works of literature and by completing vocabulary assignments each week, and learn note-taking and public speaking skills when reviewing and discussing the works of literature covered in class.
English Language Arts (Houghton Mifflin & Writer’s Choice): Middle school students learn grammar, writing, public speaking, and study skills in English Language Arts class. Utilizing the Houghton Mifflin curriculum (6th grade) and Writer’s Choice Grammar and Composition (7th and 8th grade), students learn parts of speech, writing skills, as well as public speaking and study skills that prepare them for high school English classes.
Theology (Spirit of Truth): The Spirit of Truth curriculum invites students to know, love, and follow Jesus Christ while building a strong foundation in the teachings of the Catholic faith. Throughout their three years in middle school, students study the Old Testament, the life of Jesus Christ and the Call to Discipleship, and learn Church history through the life of the Saints. Projects and public speaking opportunities in class enhance the curriculum and form the hearts and minds of students as they learn the teachings of our faith.
Science (Science Dimensions): Utilizing the Science Dimensions curriculum, students learn to appreciate God’s creation by studying earth science (6th grade), life science (7th grade), and physical science (8th grade) during their time in middle school. Additionally, all students participate in the annual science fair, giving them skills in writing, oral presentation, and creating lab reports.
Social Studies (Northern Lights - 6th grade, The American Venture -7th grade, World Geography -8th grade): In middle school social studies classes, students learn history and geography to understand their place in the world around them. The sixth-grade curriculum focuses on Minnesota history, while the seventh-grade curriculum studies American history and the eighth-grade curriculum studies world geography.
