Prepared for what comes next
Research shows that the PreK-8 model is good for students: higher academic achievement, more involvement in extracurriculars, more leadership opportunities, fewer reports of bullying and a stronger connection to community. Our middle school is built to deliver all of it.
Our middle school offers a well-rounded academic program in a supportive structured environment. STS prioritizes a balanced approach to schooling that values real-world social interaction, consistent physical activity, and minimal digital interruptions for an overall healthier and more engaging school environment. This includes no cell phones or smart watches, daily recess and twice-weekly gym class.
Math Paths
The St. Therese math program lays a foundation for students to think, explore, and problem-solve logically, critically, and abstractly. Each grade level builds on concepts from the previous year, while expanding and deepening math skills.
St. Therese School offers two or three “Math Paths” per grade level. Beyond the options listed below, we have also offered Algebra 2 to students in 8th grade.
8th Grade Math Levels:
- Linear Algebra; leading to Quadratic Algebra in 9th grade
- Algebra 1; leading to Geometry in 9th grade
- Geometry; leading to Algebra 2 in 9th grade
Students take notes, must show their work, and do not use calculators until the middle of pre-algebra. There is generally daily homework, but also work time in class and a quiz nearly every week. Math League is also very popular and offered as an academic extracurricular activity.
Science every day
Middle school science is all about experiencing the world God has created for us! Each year, we focus on a different aspect of science, these include:
- 6th Grade: Earth science, students study how the earth was formed, and continues to change and move. This includes plate tectonics, oceans, biosphere, and outer space.
- 7th Grade: Life science studies everything living including plants, animals, and ecosystems with focus on cells, animal interactions, and human body systems.
- 8th Grade: Physical science examines matter and how we interact with it which will include studying the periodic table, electromagnetic spectrum, and introduction to chemistry.
Each year our 7th graders enjoy a 3-day excursion in Ely, MN. This is a wilderness-based program where campers develop outdoor skills through canoeing, backpacking, and environmental education in the Boundary Waters.
Class experiences
Beginning in 6th grade, each class travels together each year to Wolf Ridge, Camp Widjiwagan or Washington, D.C. The outdoor trips build environmental awareness, cooperation and respect; the 8th grade Washington, D.C. trip caps the St. Therese experience with our nation’s history and memories that last, often cementing lifelong friendships. The Middle School Musical is an optional after-school program offered to all 6th–8th graders and includes a wide variety of opportunities such as acting, set design, and crew.
Leadership
Middle schoolers remain integrated with younger students in our growing school, which gives them daily chances to lead: serving as a Buddy to a younger student, serving as altar servers and modeling faith at weekly Mass. They leave us independent, academically successful and ready to be leaders well into the future. Our middle school students start the day as leaders by rotating as greeters to bus and car arrivals.
Technology: At St. Therese Middle School, technology is integrated across multiple disciplines, with a focus on our 1:1 Chromebook program. Our Middle School leverages G-Suite for Education for its highly effective collaborative and organizational tools.
St. Therese also utilizes an advanced filtering and monitoring software to keep our students safe online, both on and off campus. Students leverage their Chromebook for a variety of learning opportunities; such as mixing and recording their own songs, to 3D modeling and printing, and even designing and coding their own smartphone apps through our STEM offerings.
Language Arts: St. Therese Middle School provides students with a rigorous Language Arts program. Our goal is to ensure students master a variety of skills that propel them into advanced Language Arts classes in high school.
Reading: Students discover a wide variety of literary texts, from classics to more modern writings. These texts include novels, poetry, and short stories.
Writing: Students build skills in self-expression through informal reflection journals and fine-tune their organization and logical-thinking skills in formal essay writing. Writing pieces include literary analysis, persuasive writing, research papers, descriptive narratives, and many more types of essay and creative writings.
Students strengthen grammar, mechanics and vocabulary while developing the skills to communicate with confidence. Through discussion, public speaking and debate, they learn to organize their ideas, engage an audience and participate thoughtfully in academic conversations.
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