Religion - Faith Formation
Preschool, Kindergarten, and Grade School education through 8th grade, children are instructed with the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize and fulfill God's unique role for them in building up Gods Kingdom on this earth.
Scripture, sacraments, church and morality
Character development/ Catholic Vision of Love Curriculum-fifth thru eighth grade
Daily prayer and meditation
Seasonal observations of Advent, Lent
Weekly participation in liturgy
Participation: School wide community service projects
Reading & Literature
Reading Comprehension, Phonics
Literature Circles, Readers Theatre
Speaking, Writing, Listening Skill Development
Accelerated Reading Program
Mathematics
Accelerated Math Program
Number Sense-Counting-Time-Addition-Subtraction-Multiplication-Division
Patterns ABAB, ABB, ABBC
Money values
Fractions (Whole and half)-Decimals
Algebra and Concentrated Accelerated Math Program
Sorting, classifying, identifying, linear equations
Statistics, Data Analysis, and Probability
Sorting by common attributes: Shape, Size, Color
Data Collection / patterns ABAB, ABB, ABBC
Measurement / Geometry
Geometric shapes
Planes and solid objects
Mathematical Reasoning
Critical Thinking
Use tools, strategies, and manipulatives to model problems
Explain reasoning (Orally, drawings, number sentence)
Social Studies
Family, Community
United States & Pennsylvania history
U.S. Colonization
World History
U.S. History to Civil War
U.S. History from Civil War to present
Middle School (6-8)
A dynamic partnership among parents, faculty, and students is one of the keys to the success of the middle school program. Saint Alexis, with its distinguished record of success, offers a rich and diverse educational experience that is holistic, developmentally appropriate, engaging, and stimulating. Students and teachers are encouraged to pursue excellence and strive to do their best.
Saint Alexis Catholic School offers a departmentalized schedule for our Middle School Grades
The middle school consists of grades six, seven, and eight and offers a unique and exciting program that values academic achievement, cooperation, and Catholic leadership. Our academic program challenges students to become significantly more knowledgeable, skillful, organized, and articulate. Our arts and enrichment program helps students develop their aesthetic awareness, creativity, and self expression. Our athletic program helps students make healthy choices, develop skills, and increase fitness through physical education, health, and sports. Our extracurricular activities provide opportunities for students to discover a talent, develop a passion, serve their community, and have fun at Saint Alexis.
Grade 6 Curriculum
-Carefully designed transitional year between primary school and the increased academic expectations of middle school. Our faculty teach the students to assume greater responsibility for organizing and managing their academic work, both at school and at home, while balancing their academic commitments and extracurricular activities. Students are urged to discover their passion; whether it is in the arts, athletics, community service, and/or student government Middle School is one of the most important periods in a young persons life.
Middle School Math (Grades 6-8)
After thorough reviews of arithmetic, students learn Pre-Algebra, including: decimal notation, fractions, and percent; measurement; use of variables; operations of arithmetic; problem-solving strategies; combining operations; and measurement formulas and real numbers.
The Algebra course includes an introduction to the basic concepts of Algebra 1. Among the topics are the operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division within Algebra; solving linear equations and inequalities in one and two variables; sets and probability at an introductory level; equations of lines in the coordinate plane; and exponents, polynomials, parabolas, and quadratic equations. Seventh and eighth grade placement in Algebra, Pre-Algebra is by testing results as well as Terra Nova Scores.
Science
Scientific Method: Experimentation/Investigation
Life Science: Origins of Life, Human Body, Plant Life, Animal Life
Earth Science: Weather, Air, Water, Rocks and Soil
Physical Science: Matter and Energy
Space Science
Robotics (AIM program Gifted Program)
Field Trips- Carnegie Museum, Science Center
Middle School Science (Grades 6-8) the sixth grade science curriculum focuses on Earth Science, which introduces students to features and processes that make the earth unique, while simultaneously introducing them to the scientific process. Topics and principles in geology, meteorology, oceanography, plant life, and environmental disciplines are explored through classroom discussions, dialogues, research, and hands-on lab explorations. Collaboration is emphasized and other skills include: observation, data collection, forming conclusions, and prediction for creative problem solving. In the seventh grade, students study the conditions for life, cell theory, genetics, genetic engineering, and the structure and function of various systems within human physiology. Eighth-grade students learn about the physical and chemical properties of matter, the phases of matter, mass and energy relationships in chemical and nuclear reactions, mechanics, simple machines, forms of energy, electricity, and the properties of light and sound.
Foreign Language- (K-8) this highly interactive class involves conversational and situational exercises, hands-on activities, games, individual projects, and group projects. Students are engaged in listening, speaking, reading, and writing that is integrated with the study of Spanish and Latin American culture and geography.
The Arts
The arts provide a vital avenue for learning and expressing oneself. Students have explored visual arts through various enrichment programs from the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, throughout the year.
Physical education & health (K-8) Lifelong health and fitness are emphasized in physical education and reinforced through class discussions and structured activities. The program in seventh and eighth grade builds on the fundamental skills learned in sixth grade. Activities range from daily exercises through a full spectrum of sports, which include volleyball, flag football, soccer, softball, and basketball.
Technology Curriculum (K-8)
Teachers give students learning opportunities and teach them to use word processing, and presentation programs. For example, students learn how to create and format documents using Microsoft Word. Students also learn to give presentations using Microsoft Power Point. When students give Power Point presentations, they learn to provide to present information and develop their speaking skills. Students also learn to navigate the internet to find and analyze data.
Enhanced Technology (K- 8)
We believe traditional classroom instruction is enriched though technology and our expanded technology offerings includes robotics, accelerated math and reading programs, flat-screen computers, software, and wireless Internet access. The use of technology is an important part of the curriculum, and student engagement is high because students are actively involved in the learning process. Our computer lab and library lab provides students with a variety of resources and up-to-date information to conduct research for a written report, oral presentation, or group project. At home, middle school students can perform interactive science demonstration from the Prentice Hall website using key codes given in their science books. Algebra 1 students can also perform practice quizzes and tests that were developed in conjunction with our textbook series (using the Glencoe series website).
Student Council: Leadership Formation
Saint Alexis Catholic School is committed to developing servant leaders. To participate in the Student Council elections, students must undergo a rigorous speech writing and speech presentation process. Through weekly meetings, our Student Council moderators empower our leaders to develop programs and activities that will improve each classroom and our school as a whole. Student Council offices include our President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Class Representatives.
LeadersNow
http://www.leadersnowinternational.com/
- This in school program is a membership based organization that is open to any girl in 8th grade. Membership in the organization provides young women with a unique opportunity to take part in leadership training.
Enrichment Classes (6-8) Specialty classes for middle school grades
(K-5)Integrated enrichment
Athletics
Saint Alexis believes that participation in athletics is instrumental in helping students mature. In addition to promoting the objective of achieving physical fitness, the school makes an effort to develop the important skills of self-discipline, sportsmanship, and teamwork. Our Athletic Association keeps the Spirit alive at Saint Alexis on the field as well as off. Organized by our Athletic Director, grateful to our parents and coaches, we have numerous offerings for our students- Cross Country, Basketball, Soccer, Football, and Cheerleading. Although developing a competitive spirit is important, the focus for all of our athletic teams is good sportsmanship, character-building and teamwork.
Saint Alexis Student of the Month (K-8) Students who have exceptional achievement in one or more of the following areas: academics, athletics, arts, church, or community service.
Honor Roll and High Honors Recognitions
The schools high expectations for students are reflected in high standardized Terra Nova scores and student performance levels. Saint Alexis Catholic School is fortunate to be located in a community that understands and values the importance of education. We have parents who make education a priority in their homes. Our community also values and recognizes the importance of preparing our students to be Catholic leaders in our world.