RELIGION

The following areas are addressed for the middle school standards but in increasing degrees of critical thinking and insight.


  1. Faith professed- Doctrine and Scripture (both Old & New Testament)
  2. Sacramentals and Liturgical Life- Sacraments, Liturgical calendar and Eucharistic Liturgy (including Liturgical gestures & Para-Liturgical celebrations)
  3. Living in freedom
  4. Prayer
  5. Church- the Body of Christ (Church in Heaven & Purgatory and Church on Earth)
  6. Christians in the world (Catholic social teachings & evangelization)
  7. Theology of the Body


Additionally, all students are involved in planning and participating in weekly student Liturgies and monthly Family Masses. Students are encouraged to live out their Faith by engaging in a variety of service projects throughout the school year and are required to complete a minimum of 16 service hours yearly. The middle school students will participate in the Diocese of Erie Chastity Program.

ENGLISH

Following Common Core State Standards, sixth, seventh and eighth grade students have a firm foundation in English grammar. Participating in a variety of activities designed to prepare students for future success, students are challenged to improve their writing and editing skills following a step-by-step process raising literacy achievement and helping students communicate more effectively. Students are introduced to classic literature. They are exposed to various genres, such as fiction, nonfiction, folktale, poetry and drama. Our goal is to help students improve their own writing as they discover, appreciate and analyze fine literature through the critical thinking process. Success is evident with St. Luke students winning multiple local essay contests and having works published in the local newspaper. Many students have also had their works published in The National Anthology of Poetry. Saint Luke School has been named a school of “High Merit” and has been recognized as a “Poetic Achievement Honor School” for many years.

SOCIAL STUDIES

The curriculum focuses on teaching students the knowledge necessary to prepare them for life, as well as providing them with the skills needed to make sense out of the increasing volume of information in the world today. To help students become lifelong learners, our curriculum is designed to develop their abilities to question, read, analyze, interpret and evaluate information, and to be able to communicate this information in an appropriate manner. Eighth grade concentration is on the Western Movement to the present.

A group of people standing in front of a crucifix in a church

SCIENCE

Eighth grade science deals with physical science. Topics include matter and its properties and changes, atoms and their structures and bonds, chemical reactions, motion and forces. This process allows for students to be well prepared for the science subjects in high school. All eighth grade students are required to do a PJAS (Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science) Science project. Eighth grade students may be eligible for the eighth grade honors programs at our local high schools. Eligibility is based on set high school criteria including NWEA Map Growth test scores, seventh grade grades, teacher recommendations and the readiness of the student.

LITERATURE

Middle school students reinforce and expand their literacy through various examples of fiction and nonfiction in the form of novels, short stories and poetry. Students continue to appreciate literature in all these forms by analyzing the texts while responses to the text allow classes to integrate their prior knowledge, compare and contrast concepts and explain how authors develop different points of view. Students closely examine and analyze the use of figurative language, and adapt these components in their writing style throughout the year.


Eighth grade will solidify their understanding of the literary components of plot, establish a personal style, develop their understanding of literary devices, and complete a unit study on a classic American Literature author. The second half of eighth grade has a definite emphasis on the transition to high school. Class will focus more on literary analysis, having mastered the comprehension component of study. 

MATHEMATICS

Sixth, seventh, and eighth grade math classes leverage Glencoe Math, a robust middle school math program, to engage students in developing critical math thinking skills. Rigor is built-in and supported throughout the program. The three components of rigor — conceptual understanding, application, and procedural fluency — are embedded in digital and print resources, lessons, and assessments.


Glencoe Math makes math applicable for students by providing real-world examples that are relevant today. The middle school math program prides itself on meeting students wherever they are in their learning. Assessments help determine proficiency before, during, and after lessons. A variety of problem and assessment resources ensure approaching-level students master concepts before moving on, while beyond-level students are continually challenged.


Eighth grade students may be eligible for the eighth grade honors programs at our local high schools. Eligibility is based on a set of high school criteria including NWEA Map Growth test scores, seventh grade transcripts, teacher recommendations and the readiness of the learner.

Share by: