St. Paul School teachers create an atmosphere of love, discipline, and support to help students succeed in Junior High. The curriculum emphasizes strong basic skills and advanced learning opportunities. Students develop faith, leadership, and academic skills that build a solid foundation for high school and the future.

Religion

The 7th Grade uses a Confirmation study program, Chosen. Through the Chosen program, students will:

• Explore salvation history, revelation, and the four last things.
• Make connections between their lives and the teachings outlined in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
• Study the sacraments, the beatitudes, prayer, virtues, Mary the Mother of God, and other aspects of the Church’s Sacred Tradition.
• Learn about the lives and unique attributes of a variety of Catholic saints.
• Seek answers to tough questions that challenge the reader to say “yes” to Christ and to build His Church.
• Students also use the “Prove It” Catholic Teen Bible to study Sacred Scripture individually and as a group.

Literature

Students are exposed to a varied genre of literature. They will read and analyze the literary elements of several classroom novels, including:

• The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton
• A Tail of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
• Lord of the Flies by William Golding
• Students read various stories of Greek Mythology.
• Students work in Literature Circles with several titles including:
• A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver by E.L. Konigsburg
• The Sword and the Stone by T.H. White
• And Both were Young by Madeleine L’Engle
• Students read a wide variety of short stories, with emphasis in the following areas:  Drama, Legend, Memoir, Myth, Poetry, Biography, and Mystery.
• Technology plays an intricate role in the 7th Grade literature education.  Many of the final projects and presentations are presented with the use of technology. 

English

• Students will concentrate on their writing skills, grammar, and vocabulary. 
• Students will complete a final draft of a paper a minimum of every other week. 
• There is emphasis on the writing process and correct use of grammar throughout their writing. 
• Student will keep a writing portfolio and their writing will include the following creative, informational, and narrative areas: Drama, Legend, Memoir, Mystery, Myth, Poetry, and Children’s Book.
• Students will complete challenging vocabulary units each week. 
• Students will learn how to write a MLA format mini-term paper with a thesis statement.

Math:  Based on their ability, work ethic and past assessment scores, students are selected to participate in the standard Pre-Algebra class or the accelerated Pre-Algebra class.

Standard Pre-Algebra class:

• Review of operations with positive and negative integers.
• In-depth explanation of application of rational numbers.
• Introduction to equations and solving multi-step equations.
• Introduction to inequalities and solving multi-step inequalities.
• Ratios, rates, and proportions.
• Geometry that includes Pre-Algebraic applications to find area, surface area, and volume.
• Analyzing data and probability.

Accelerated Pre-Algebra class:

• This course begins with a fast-paced review of variable expressions and integers.
• We solve algebraic equations and multi-step equations applying them to real-world situations.
• In-depth application of inequalities and solving multi-step inequalities.
• Introduction to the rules of exponents.
• Rational and irrational numbers.
• Ratios, rates, and proportions.
• We solve and graph linear functions and equations.
• Geometry that includes the Pythagorean Theorem, Distance and Midpoint formulas.
• Number theory background and reasoning.
• Problem-Solving strategies and applications.

Science

• Students explore in depth the human body systems.
• They explore the atmosphere and explain the difference between weather and climate.
• They explore the different types of air pollution.
• They are introduced to the Periodic Table of Elements and recognize the atom as the smallest component that makes up an element.
• They understand that all organisms are composed of cells, and that organisms exist in ecosystems.
• They use a light microscope and accurately interpret what they see.
• They understand the relationship between the warming of the earth, the water cycle, weather, & climate.

Social Studies

• The curriculum focuses on the following themes in the Eastern Hemisphere: Culture; History; Continuity & Change; the relationship between people & environment; Cultural Identity; Cultural Institutions; Authority & Governance; Production, Distribution, & Consumption; and Civic Ideals & Practices
• Current events are studied critically with student-led current event discussions.
• There is an emphasis on real world application and hands-on projects including problem/solution proposals, business plans, student-created learning modules, simulations, and cultural exercises.
• The year culminates with a student-created “Classroom Museum” exhibit that is displayed and presented to students in lower grades.

Advanced Spanish: Based on their ability, work ethic, and past performance, students may be invited to participate in the Advanced Spanish class.

• The combination of two years of this program is equivalent to the first year of high school Spanish.
• Students study vocabulary for their daily lives, verb conjugations, adjective agreement, sentence structure, and the past & present tenses.
• Through skits, oral activities, and cultural activities, all the previously learned Spanish skills are practiced and reinforced so that a level of conversational fluency can be achieved.
• Once completing the program students are prepared to enter Spanish II in High School.

Specials

• Seventh Graders attend weekly specials classes including art, music, Spanish, gym and computers.

TAP

• Every other week, Junior High students participate in the Thursday Advisory Program. This program pairs supportive adult role models with small groups of students across the Junior High grades.  The groups explore interests, goals, concerns, and share fun activities.  It is a productive program designed to help students work through the transitions of their early teenage years.  

Alternative Recess Activities

• After lunch, Junior High students can choose from a variety of fun activities such as outdoor recess, band, choir, newspaper, yearbook, yoga, boot camp, crafts, and games.  They can also use the time for homework or to get extra help from teachers.

Extracurricular Activities

• St. Paul School offers a wide variety of activities including forensics, chess, safety squad, art, altar service, and a full range of CYO sports (soccer, volleyball, cheerleading, cross country, basketball, baseball, softball, lacrosse, tennis, and track).