Grade 7
The second half of the middle school program is the seventh
grade. Goals of this program are to assist the students as they develop
socially, emotionally, and academically in varying degrees and to encourage
leadership and citizenship. The ultimate goal is to provide skills that will
enable each student to experience success in the upper school curriculum.
Students are still nurtured to some degree and assisted when necessary, but the
emphasis is on more student responsibility and accountability. Learning to time
manage, organize, and prioritize are of utmost importance. Four main faculty
members teach core classes. Students receive Latin and computer instruction
daily as well as physical education.
The language arts program consists of two periods, one English and one
literature. Using the EMC Paradigm Masterpiece series, students are exposed to
varied literature selections and a broad range of literary terms. A focus is
placed on comprehension and vocabulary skills. The Elements of Writing English
series stresses grammar and mechanics with heavy emphasis on composition.
Students write frequently with several formal papers written throughout each
year.
The seventh grade mathematics program consists of a brief review of the basic
operations using fractions and decimals. We build on these skills while
exploring other areas such as statistics, probability, integers, ratios,
proportion, percent, and geometry. A pre-algebra class is also available for
eligible students.
The life science curriculum places considerable emphasis on the human body along
with plant science. Current events are used as a weekly instruction tool. Shark
dissections occur each spring, and an annual five-day trip to Wallops Island
Oceanography Institute for a marine science study is taken in May. U.S. History
covers topics ranging from explorers to the Revolution to the Civil War and on
to the more recent historical events.
Seventh graders perform community service projects each year. Examples of past
projects are refurbishing campus grounds and providing a character education
"Word of the Month" to each classroom throughout the school. Students also
participate in monthly chapel programs.