Middle School Academics (Grades 6-8)

In Middle School, our St. Mary Catholic Virtue School students solidify their skills in the core and Specials subject areas, exploring and developing the gifts and talents God has given them in preparation for success in High School and beyond.  As The Educational Covenant puts it, "To know who he is, he needs to discover who he can become" (p. 142).

Students also participate in Art, Music, Library, Physical Education, and Spanish–special classes (or "Specials," for short) that are offered once a week rather than every day.

Stage 6-8:
Inspiring Critical Thinkers and Leaders

In Middle School, leveled classes in certain subjects and opportunities for choice in areas of enrichment make St. Mary Catholic Virtue School a place where our students may truly begin to "become who (they) are," as Pope John Paul II encouraged all the faithful to do in his apostolic exhortation Familiaris Consortio (1981).

What to look forward to during these developmental years

  • As "queen of the sciences," Theology holds pride of place at St. Mary Catholic Virtue School.  

    Based on the Spirit of Truth series from Sophia Institute Press, our students are guided on a journey of faith and intellectual exploration of the "Big Questions" of both reason and revelation.

  • Our St. Mary Catholic Virtue School Middle Schoolers study Literature, Grammar, Composition, and Creative Writing as organic extensions of the "Way of Words" approach initiated in Elementary School.  The literary "Anchor Texts" align with the Middle School Polaris Virtues, while the Grammar quadrant moves sentence analysis from the Simple to the Compound, Complex, and Compound-Complex.  While the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Graders learn the aspects of certain genres collectively, in 6th Grade students begin to select an area of Composition and Creative Writing in which to specialize.  These areas of specialization are known as the "Way of Words" Fleets.

  • History is designed to coordinate with the "Way of Words," because in both subjects the programs focus on given eras of civilization. Our 6th Graders focus on the Ancient World; 7th, the Medieval; and 8th, the Modern. Projects and presentations complement formal study of these times, assisting students in entering into the times imaginatively.

  • Through St. Mary Catholic Virtue School's “Big Ideas” Math program, Middle School students are grouped by academic ability.  This not only allows for a more personalized level of instruction; it also means that students, progressing at their own pace, can take advantage of more advanced classes like Geometry and Pre-Algebra as well.

  • The Catholic worldview animates the study of science at St. Mary Catholic Virtue School, enabling students to grasp the synergy between faith and reason implicit in empirical discovery.  Our Middle School features a well-appointed lab in which they explore Physical, Earth, and Life Sciences by conducting experiments and learning formally about the natural world. 

The Four Quadrants of the "Way of Words" Fleets

While other schools have households, St. Mary Catholic Virtue School has Fleets, based on the navigare metaphor–"to sail," under the guidance of Mary Immaculate, the "Star of the Sea" or Stella Maris–of the DCJM.  The Fleets are named after the four greatest writers of all time, the Evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.  In Elementary School, students of certain grades belong to certain Fleets, ensuring that everyone has a background in every major genre area.  In Middle School, students apply for membership in the Fleet they would like to belong to.

  • Expository writing is the focus of Fleet Saint Matthew.  In 2nd Grade, students master paragraphing technique, while in Middle School essay writing, strategies for sound research, and for acceptable styles of citation are also required.

  • Poetry and oral presentation form the foundations of Fleet Saint Luke.  In 4th Grade, students discover metrical patterns and the impact of imagery, while in Middle School theatrical productions, Socratic discussions, and formal debates offer opportunities for students to become excellent speakers as well as excellent writers.

  • Fictional narration is the focus of Fleet Saint Mark.  In 3rd Grade, students learn about plot, character, setting, presentation and theme, while in Middle School the specifics of each of these elements–such as plot arcs and methods of characterization–are also explored.

  • Philosophy is Fleet Saint John's raison d'être. All literature is philosophy in narrative form, and the purpose of this Fleet is to assist students in discerning the various worldviews–whether salutary or corrosive–implicit in works of every possible genre.

A Day in the Life of our Middle School students

Arriving in their Homerooms and anchoring the day in prayer, our 6th through 8th Grade students then follow a detailed schedule taking them from classroom to classroom.  Students are responsible for their own lockers and for exhibiting the Core Virtues of Concord, Industriousness, Magnanimity, and Wisdom at all times. 

To promote personal protagonism and self-advocacy as the young people grow from early childhood to greater maturity, teachers also offer weekly Office Hours when students can receive individualized coaching on assignments and make arrangements regarding missed work.

For Specials, teachers escort students to and from the art room, the music room, the library, the gym, and the classroom dedicated to the study of the Spanish language, depending on the day of the week.