Students in Grades 6-8 are departmentalized for Math, Science, Language Arts, and Social Studies in the Middle School building. Independence, self-reliance, and high school readiness are key elements of our program. As we are a certified STEM school, STEM skills and concepts (especially technology) are integrated into the curriculum on a daily basis across all academic subjects. Religion is integrated throughout the day as God is at the center of everything we do.

Saint Patrick School Middle School includes students in Grades 6 to 8.  The departmentalized class structure provides students an experience that prepares them for high school.  Our students are exposed to an advanced curriculum which prepares them for high school and beyond.  As a result, our students consistently achieve above average scores on standardized tests.  At the same time, students develop leadership and social skills to become productive citizens in a global society.  Students participate in a full range of academic disciplines including:

STEM
Students engage in dynamic STEM learning experiences in all grades. Students utilize Studies Weekly, a magazine-style format which provides them with the most up-to-date content. This is critical as scientific advancements can outpace traditional textbook updates. Engineering challenges, lab experiments, and project-based assessments invite students to think critically about the world and apply STEM learning. Students use iPads, Chromebooks, SMART Boards, and Promethean ActivPanels as a means to an end rather than just to "use technology." In this way, the application of technological literacy skills mirrors real world usage and supports student understanding of content area knowledge.

Mathematics
Students utilize Common Core Progress: Mathematics by Sadlier, Inc. which offers learners a chance to think critically about multi-step problems as they engage with new concepts. Additionally, students use IXL's online platform to learn and practice skills which are individualized to their personal learning needs in real-time. Students are taught in half-sized groups which are differentiated to provide a challenging environment for every student and provide for more 1:1 time with teachers. 

Language Arts
Students in Grade 6 use the Reading Wonders program by McGraw-Hill which provides differentiated texts as well as a digital platform to enhance students' understanding of fiction and nonfiction texts. Students in Grades 7 & 8 engage in novel studies to prepare them for high school literary analysis. Writing and grammar skills are taught for all middle school students. In addition, students use IXL's online content to practice skills. For instance, students can have texts read aloud to them; explore content-specific vocabulary; or practice grammatical skills such as sentence construction. Students can even extend their learning with additional information about concepts related to the texts. Online texts and games are leveled to support all students.

Social Studies
Students utilize Studies Weekly, a magazine-style format which provides them with the most up-to-date content. Through engaging projects and critical thinking challenges, students apply their content knowledge and engage with history in meaningful ways. 

Religion
At the heart of everything we do is God. Students attend Mass weekly with their classes. Daily prayer is integrated throughout the day, starting with our whole-school morning assembly. Students engage in volunteer projects and opportunities in order to serve the community. Students in Grade 7 benefit from daily instruction from our parish priests, fostering strong connections to the Church and providing students an opportunity to engage with Church teachings with new contexts.

Special Classes
Students receive enrichment in art, foreign language (Spanish), music, and physical education. Learning is engaging and hands-on, and the evidence can be seen throughout the year in special projects such as the alfombras at Easter time or special events such as our winter and spring concerts. Students in Grade 8 stage a class musical each year with choral support from students in Grade 7.