Middle School

SJ23’s Middle School curriculum is a blend of traditional textbook instruction, technology, and hands-on experiences. English Language Arts, Math, Religion, Social Studies, Science, Spanish, Art, Music, Health, and Physical Education make up our basic curriculum.

Our 5th through 8th grade middle school curriculum offers more advanced academic challenges, more leadership and service opportunities, and more co-curricular opportunities. In middle school, math is ability-based. Pre-algebra and algebra are offered to students based on readiness. Middle school students participate in retreats, student council, band, choir, and fine arts electives.

All of our kindergarten through 8th grade students have the opportunity to explore, invent, and create in our STEAM lab and Greenhouse. Technology also supplements student learning. All of our prekindergarten (pre-K) through 8th grade classrooms are equipped with SMART Boards, which facilitate interactive learning. Middle school students supplement instruction with laptops and Chromebooks..

View Grade Specific Catholic Education Curriculum Here

Middle School Electives (24-25)

6th Grade Typing: Keyboarding without Tears – (Mandatory for 6th Grade Students for First Trimester)

Coding: Are you curious about the world of coding and robotics? This elective offers students the chance to dive into the fascinating field of coding and discover various programming languages. Throughout the course, students will have hands-on experience with a diverse range of robots and software, including Edison Robots, Sphero Robots, Scratch, and App Design!

Future City: Future City uses the engineering design process as a framework to guide students through the creation of their cities. Within this framework, students apply specific project management methods to keep their projects on track. This  structure gives students a real-world learning experience they can apply to future challenges in school, work and life. Students spend approximately four months creating cities that exist at least 100 years in the future and represent the team’s solution to a citywide sustainability issue. The competition is made up of five project deliverables.

Gardening 101: In this elective, students will learn the basics to gardening and plant care in the greenhouse! Also students will learn how to preserve and prepare food grown in the greenhouse/garden.

Musical Theater: Step into the spotlight! This elective is a stage-bound journey where creativity meets harmony. From classic Broadway tunes to contemporary hits, students explore the magical world of musicals through singing, dancing, and acting. This elective sets the stage for students to shine and discover the joy of musical theater! Students will also get the opportunity to perform at the Key Event, our school’s largest fundraiser (scheduled for March 8th, 2025)!

Newspaper/Newscast: In this elective, students will design and write a Middle School newspaper. The paper will contain articles of interest, interviews, advertising of upcoming events, student work, and even editorials and illustrations. Students will create the format and will publish it several times each trimester to be shared with the Middle School community. By Semester 2, we will be creating a newscast video that will be shared out to middle school parents and students.

Oil Pastel: Students will enhance their current knowledge of oil pastels by learning additional techniques and skills with plenty of time to practice. Students will also create their own unique oil pastel works of art.

Outdoor Games: This elective will be centered around being active outside and enjoying the weather! Throughout the trimester, students will participate in an array of games and contests to develop skill sets and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Pop Music: Discover the vibrant world of contemporary pop music in this engaging elective course. Dive into the artistry and influence of today’s chart-topping artists like Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, and Harry Styles. Explore their musical styles, lyrical themes, and the cultural impact they have on a global scale.

Printmaking: Students will learn various forms of printmaking while creating beautiful prints to take home! Fine art printmaking involves the creation of a master plate from which multiple images are made.

Secondary Instrument Ensemble: ONLY OPEN TO STUDENTS ENROLLED IN BAND DURING THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR. This dynamic elective is designed to nurture musical skills and collaboration among students who are interested in learning a second band instrument. Students will develop essential skills in sight-reading, ensemble communication, and musical interpretation with a focus on teamwork and mutual support. SIGNED PARENT PERMISSION SLIP REQUIRED.

Shark Tank: Anyone can be an inventor! During Shark Tank, students will get a chance to come up with an invention concept, make a prototype of the concept, and develop a sales pitch. At the end of the trimester students will be delivering that pitch to a special panel of Sharks to get feedback. We will utilize tools in STEAM Lab including 3D printing to develop our ideas.

Student Council: Develop leadership skills and collaborate with your peers to organize school events and activities!

Yearbook: Be a part of creating SJ23’s 2024/2025 yearbook! Tap into your design and technology skills and decide which pictures will highlight special, life-long memories of our school year.

Yoga: In this elective, students will stretch and strengthen their minds and bodies as we engage in breath work, mindfulness, and physical yoga movement.

Zen Doodle: Do you like to doodle? The Zentangle Method is an easy-to-learn fun and relaxing way to create beautiful images by drawing structured, repeated patterns. It increases focus and creativity, improves fine motor skills, helps to relieve stress and is FUN! There are no mistakes in Zentangle, so you can’t get it wrong.