5301St.JosephDr Albuquerque,NM87120
Phone:505-831-8400www.saintpiusx.comFax:505-831-8413
LASTUPDATED:March11,2025
SaintPiusXSchoolservesGodincommunionwiththeRomanCatholicChurchbyfosteringmoral, social,andintellectualgrowthwithinacollegepreparatorysettingtoteachyoungpeopletobeethical leadersinservicetoothers.
Allmiddleschoolstudentswillhavesixsubjectsandalunch.TheschedulewillincludeEnglish,Math, Science,SocialStudies,Theology,andoneelective.XHourisafixedperiodthatwillbescheduledduringthe lastperiodofeveryschoolday Middleschoolathleteswhoareparticipatinginanin-seasonSPXsportmay attendpractices/gamesforthatsportasscheduled. AssignmenttospecialcoursesectionswillbemadebytheMiddleSchoolAdministration.
EnglishLanguageArts6
Math6
Religion6
SocialStudies-AncientCivilizations6
Science-FoundationsofSTEM6
Elective
XHour
ElectiveCourseOfferings: Electiveswillbescheduledaccordingtostudentenrollment.
● Art(semestercourse)
● ASL(semestercourse)
● BeginningBand(fullyearcourse)
● BeginningOrchestra(fullyearcourse)
● BeginningChoir(fullyearcourse)
● Dance(semestercourse)
● Drama(semestercourse)
● PE(semestercourse)
● Spanish(semestercourse)
EnglishLanguageArts7
Math7
Religion7
Science-FoundationsofLifeScience
SocialStudies(onesemesterofNewMexicoHistory,onesemesterofU.S.History)
Elective
XHour
ElectiveCourseOfferings: Electiveswillbescheduledaccordingtostudentenrollment.
● Art(semestercourse)
● ASL(semestercourse)
● BeginningBand(fullyearcourse)
● BeginningOrchestra(fullyearcourse)
● BeginningChoir(fullyearcourse)
● CulinaryArts(semestercourse)enrollmentislimitedtoclassavailability
● Dance(semestercourse)
● Drama(semestercourse)
● PE(semestercourse)
● Spanish(semestercourse)
English8 Math8orhigher Science-FoundationsinPhysicalScience
U.S.History8
Theology8
Elective
XHour
ElectiveCourseOfferings: Electiveswillbescheduledaccordingtostudentenrollment. Studentsmay chooseeitherafullyearcourseortwosemestercourses.
● ASL(fullyearcourse)
● BeginningBand(fullyearcourse)
● BeginningOrchestra(fullyearcourse)
● BeginningChoir(fullyearcourse)
● CulinaryArts(semester)enrollmentislimitedtoclassavailability
● Dance(semester)
● Drama(semester)
● FrenchI(fullyearcourse)
● LatinI(fullyearcourse)
● MSArt(semester)
● MSIntrotoSpanish(semester)
● MSPE(semesterorfullyearcourse)
● SpanishI(year)
● HonorsSpanishI(year)
● StudioArt8(year)
Allgradesarerecordedinletters.The4-pointgradesystemisusedatSt.PiusX.
0-59 F 0NOCREDITforF
Theschoolretainstherighttocancelacourseofferingafterregistrationif:
A. Thecourseenrollmentistoosmalltojustifyitfinancially.
B. Astaffmemberisnotavailabletoteachthecourse.
C. Physicalfacilitiesarenotavailablefortheclass.
StudentadvisementforregistrationatSt.PiusXSchoolisatwo-monthprocess.Beforestudentsselectand registerfortheircoursesforthefollowingschoolyear,theyarerequiredtogetinputfromtheircurrent teachersandparents.Thepurposeofthisprocessistoensurethatthestudentsmeettheiracademicgoals. Theselectionsthatthestudentsmakedeterminebothclasssizeandteacherassignmentsforthefollowing schoolyear.Toensurethatclasssizesremainstablefortheschoolyear,the schooladministrationhas developedthefollowingprocedureforcoursechanges.
Studentsmayrequestachangeintheircourseselectionsiftherequestissubmittedbythelastdayof schooldeadlineoftheyearprecedingtheschoolyearforwhichthechangeisbeing sought.Torequest this,changestudentsmust:
1.PickupaRequesttoChangeaCourseFormfromtheircounselor.
2.Obtainallneededsignatures(counselor,parent,andstudent).
3.SubmittheRequesttoChangeaCourseFormtotheAssistantHeadofMiddleSchoolbythe deadline.
4.Changeswillbeconsideredbasedonavailability—not all course change requests will be granted.
Afterthedeadline,theonlycourseselectionchangesthatwillbegrantedwillbe changesduetothe followingreasons:
1.Coursecancellation
2.Scheduleconflict
3.Studenthasanincompleteschedule
4.Coursesarenotincorrectsequence
5.Studentlacksacourserequiredforgraduation
6.Studentdoesnotmeettheprerequisitefortheclass
7.Studentismisplacedintheclassduetoinappropriateskilllevel.
Coursechangeswillnotbegrantedforanyofthefollowingreasons:
1.Concernthatthegradewillbringdownthestudent’sGPA
2.Preferenceforadifferentteacher
3.Preferenceforadifferentmeetingtime
4.Changeofmindabouttakingthecourse
AdministrativeCourseChanges-Aftertheschoolyearbegins,discretionaryschedulechangesmaybe madewhentheadministrationdeemsitnecessarytomakethesechanges.
Thefirstquarterreportcardwillbeemailedtoparentsorguardiansafterthecompletionofa quarter/semester Afterreceivingthereportcard,parentswillhavetheopportunitytomeetbrieflywiththe student’steachersinthefallduringParent-TeacherConferences.Allotherreportcardswillbeemailedor mailedwhenallfinancialandotherobligationshavebeensettledwiththeschool.
Tobeeligibleforparticipation/performanceinsports(bothinseasonandpre/postseason)and extracurricularandco-curricularactivities(including,butnotlimitedto,visual/performingarts productions,etc.)sponsoredbySt.PiusX,astudentmustabidebyscholasticrequirementsasdefined bySt.PiusXSchool.
AnystudentwhohasanestablishedAccommodationPlanatSt.PiusXwillbeindividuallyevaluatedfor eligibility However,ifastudentfailsoneormoreclassesforthequarterorthesemester,thestudentwillbe ineligibletoparticipatebasedontheguidelinesforAcademicEligibility
Tobeeligibletoparticipateinsports,extra-curricularandco-curricularactivitiesforthefollowingquarter, astudentmusthave:
•noincompletegradesforthe1stor3rdquarter
•noF’sforthe1stor3rdquarter,and
•aGPAof2.0orbetterforthe1stor3rdquarter.
Astudentwhodoesnotmeettheserequirementswillremainineligibleuntiltheendoftheapplicable
semester.Theeligibilityofstudentswhohaveoneormoreincompletegradesisdeterminedafterall courseworkiscompleted(allincompletesmustbeclearedwithin2weeksaftertheendofthegrading period).
Tobeeligibletoparticipateinsports,extra-curricularandco-curricularactivitiesfortheentirethird quarter**,astudentmusthave:
•noincompletegradesforthe1stsemester
•noF’sforthe1stsemester,and
•aGPAof2.0orbetterforthe1stsemester.
Astudentwhodoesnotmeettheserequirementswillremainineligibleuntiltheendofthethirdquarter,at whichtimethestudent’seligibilitywillbere-evaluated.Theeligibilityofstudentswhohaveoneormore incompletegradesforthe1stsemesterwillbedeterminedafterallcourseworkiscompleted(all incompletesmustbeclearedwithin2weeksaftertheendofthegradingperiod).
**Anystudentwhomeetstherequirementsforeligibilityforthe1stsemester,butwhohasearnedoneFfor the2ndquarter,willbeineligiblefortenschooldays.Attheendoftheten-dayperiod,theMS Administrationwillascertainifthestudenthasimprovedhis/herworktoasatisfactorylevel.Ifnot,afinal checkwillbemade5schooldayslatertodetermineeligibility AnystudentwhoearnsmorethanoneFfor the2ndquarter,hasno1stsemesterfailures,andwhose1stsemesterGPAisabovea2.0,willbeineligible fortheentirethirdquarter.
Tobeeligibletoparticipateinsports(includingsummerworkouts)andextracurricularactivities,forthe firstquarterofthenextschoolyear,astudentmusthave:
•noincompletegradesforthe2ndsemester
•noF’sforthe2ndsemester,and
•aGPAof2.0orbetterforthe2ndsemester.
Astudentwhodoesnotmeettheserequirementswillremainineligibleuntiltheendofthefirstquarterof thenextschoolyear,atwhichtimethestudent’seligibilitywillbere-evaluated.Theeligibilityofstudents whohaveoneormoreincompletegradesforthe2ndsemesterwillbedeterminedafterallcourseworkis completed(allincompletesmustbeclearedwithin2weeksaftertheendofthegradingperiod).
AnystudentwhoearnsoneFforthe4thquarter,hasno2nd-semesterfailures,andwhose2ndsemesterGPA isabove2.0,willnotbeallowedtoparticipateinanysummerteamactivities,butwillbeallowedtotryout forandparticipateinfallsportsorextra-curricularorco-curricularactivitiesstartingonAugust1st.Any studentwhohascompletedall2ndsemestercoursework,andwhohasearneda2ndsemesterGPAof2.0or betterbuthasfailedonlyoneclassforthe2ndsemestermaybecomeeligibleonAugust1st,ifthatstudent hassuccessfullycompletedacreditrecoveryclassatSt.Piusforthe2ndsemesterfailure.Ifacredit recoveryclassisnotavailableatSt.Pius,thestudentmustgettheapprovaloftheMSAdministrationto completethecreditrecoverycoursethroughanapprovedprogram.Whenthecreditrecoverygradeis receivedandenteredintothestudent’sacademicrecord,the2ndsemesterGPAmustremainabovea2.0for thestudenttobeeligibletoparticipateonAugust1st.
GradesearnedinsummerschoolmaynotbeusedtoboostGPAtobecomeeligibleforthefall semester.
FirstandSecondHonorsareawardedattheendofeachschoolyeartostudentswhoexcelintheir academicwork.Studentsfinishingthesemesterwithatleasta3.3GPAmeritSecondHonors;thosewith atleasta3.7GPAmeritFirstHonors.
NOTE:ADDITIONS, MODIFICATIONSANDDELETIONSMAYBEMADETOTHISDOCUMENTATANYTIMEAS DEEMEDAPPROPRIATEBYTHEST.PIUSXSCHOOLADMINISTRATION.
ENGLISHLANGUAGEARTS6
ThecurriculumwillimplementNextGenerationEnglishLanguage ArtsStandards. Studentswilllearntoconnectkeyskillsinlanguagearts,thatinclude:comprehension, analysis,andsummarizationofworksfromdifferentgenres(plays,poems,andnewsarticles);applying understandingofgrammar,vocabulary,andspellingskillsindifferenttypesofwriting;writingacomplete paragraphwithtopicsentencesandsupportingdetailstosupportclaims;andconductingresearchwith supportingdetailsthroughdifferentsources(books,websites,articles)andsummarizingfindings.
ENGLISHLANGUAGEARTS7
ThecurriculumwillimplementNextGenerationEnglishLanguage ArtsStandards. Studentswilllearntodetermineathemeandanalyzeitsdevelopment;evaluatethe developmentofanargumentandspecificclaimsintext;writeinformative/explanatorytextstoexaminea topicandconveyideas;conductresearchtoanswerquestionsandassesscredibilityandaccuracyof sources;usepunctuationtoclarifyandenhancewriting;recognizeandapplygradeappropriatevocabulary; readwithfluencywithafocusonplot,characterdevelopment,figurativeandconnotativelanguage;write informative/explanatorytextstoexamineatopicandconveyideas,conceptsandwritein-depthresearch paperswithcitationsandquotesfrommultiplesources.
Thiscombinedliteratureandlanguagecourseis designedtointroducestudentstotheEnglishlanguageasanexperienceinvolvingreading,writing, speaking,andlisteninginordertodevelopeffectivecommunicatorsandthinkers.Studentsareintroduced tovariouswritingstructures,suchasthefive-paragraphcritiqueandwrittennarrative.Vocabularyand grammararefundamentalexperiences.Readingforcomprehensioninvolvesshortstories,poetry,drama, andnovels.Aspeechcomponentisanessentialpartofthewholelanguageexperience.Studentsmust composearesearchpapersectionofthiscourse.
Thisadvanced,combinedliteratureand languagecourseisdesignedtointroducestudentstotheEnglishlanguageasanexperienceinvolving
analyticalreading,criticalthought,articulatewritingandspeaking,andastutelisteninginordertodevelop effectivecommunicatorsandthinkers.Studentsareintroducedtovariouswritingstructures,suchasthe five-paragraphcritiqueandwrittennarrative..Vocabularyandgrammararefundamentalexperiences. Readingforanalysisinvolvesshortstories,poetry,drama,andnovels.Aspeechcomponentisanessential partofthewholelanguageexperience.Studentsmustcomposealiteraryresearchpapersectionofthis course.
Prerequisite:Entrancetothisclassisdeterminedbyqualifyingplacemententranceexamscores,former teacherrecommendations,andgrades.Inaddition,aletterofapplicationandreviewofawritingsample mustbesubmittedpriortoacceptance.
CULINARYARTS(Semester) Thiscoursewillenablestudentstodevelopvariousskillsinfood preparationandpresentation.Therewillbetheopportunityforweeklylabs,enablingthestudentstolearn anddemonstratecookingskills(andeatthefoodtheyprepare),increasetheirknowledgeofavarietyof foods,andbecomeself-sufficientinthekitchen.Thecurriculumincludesnutrition,regionaland internationalfoods,theartisticpresentationoffoods,tablesettingsandmealplanning,purchasingfood, sanitation,andsafety.Thisclassisopento7thand8thgradestudents. Enrollmentislimitedtoclass availability.
MSART(Semester) MSArtclassisgearedtowardthestudentwhohasavarietyofinterestsinartmedia. Thisclassisaimedtoward thestudentwhowouldliketogainexposureandpracticetechniquesofawider rangeofartmedia.ThroughArt,studentswillmakeconnectionstohistory,culture,math,theology, literatureandsciencesinadditiontostudyingtheworkofotherartists.Studentsareencouragedtoconnect theirfaithintheirartworks.Theywilllearntothinkaboutanddiscussartthroughlearningartvocabulary suchastheElementsofArtandPrinciplesofDesignandwilllearnhowtocreateusingtheseconceptsin theirworkaswellastodiscussandcritiqueartusingthisvocabulary.Thisclassfocusesonteachingartistic behaviorsandmaintainingasketchbooktorecordthevariousstagesofthecreativeprocess.2-Dartforms mayincludedrawing,paintinganddesign.Andwilluseavarietyofmediaincludingpencil,charcoal, coloredpencil,cyanotype,watercolor,pastels,printmakingetc.3-Dartformsmayincludevariousfiber works,sculptureandceramics.Thisclassmayberepeated,butlimitedtoonetimeperschoolyear. Prerequisite:None;asemester-longelectivecourseopentoallmiddleschoolstudents.
StudioArtclassisgearedtowardthestudentwhohasaninterestinartand wouldliketolearnmoreaboutandexplorebasicarttechniquesandavarietyofmediaatlength.Through Art,studentswillmakeconnectionstohistory,culture,math,theology,literatureandsciencesinadditionto studyingtheworkofotherartists.Studentsareencouragedtoconnecttheirfaithintheirartworks.Theywill learntothinkaboutanddiscussartthroughlearningartvocabularysuchastheElementsofArtand PrinciplesofDesignandwilllearnhowtocreateusingtheseconceptsintheirworkaswellastodiscuss andcritiqueartusingthisvocabulary.Thisclassfocusesonteachingartisticbehaviorsandmaintaininga sketchbooktorecordthevariousstagesofthecreativeprocess.2-Dartformsmayincludedrawing,painting
anddesign.Andwilluseavarietyofmediaincludingpencil,charcoal,coloredpencil,cyanotype, watercolor,pastels,printmakingetc.3-Dartformsmayincludevariousfiberworks,sculptureandceramics.
Prerequisite:None;asemester-longelectivecourseopentoallmiddleschoolstudents.
DANCEI(Semester)-DanceIoffersstudentstheopportunitytoexplorethefundamentalsofdance.This courseisanintroductoryclassthatwillincludetechniqueandbasicskillsinvariousstylesincluding,butnot limitedto,ballet,jazz,andtap.Studentswillstudydancehistory,terminology,dancekinesiology,and movementanalysisattheintroductorylevel. Kinesiologylabsinvestigatethebodyasitmovesandtiesinto injury prevention.Requiredattirewillincludeballetshoes,jazzshoesandtapshoes,andclothingthat allowsfreemovement. NOEXPERIENCENECESSARY
Prerequisite: None; a semester-long elective survey course open to all students of all levels. This course may be repeated with teacher approval. Studentswithpriordanceexperienceshould meet withtheinstructorregardingclasslevelplacement.
DANCEII(Semester)-AcontinuationofDanceI,thiscourseisdesignedforstudentswhowishto continue theirstudyofdance.Thecoursewillincludelearningvariousstylesofdanceincluding,butnotlimitedto, ballet,jazz,contemporary,salsa,musicaltheaterandtapwithanintroductiontochoreography.Duringthe yeartherewillbeperformanceopportunities.Requiredattirewillincludeballetshoes,jazzshoes,tapshoes andclothingthatallowsfreemovement. Costumesareprovidedforperformances.
Prerequisite:DanceIoraudition.Asemester-longelectivecourseopentoallstudents.Thiscourse may berepeatedwithteacherapproval.
DANCETEAM(Year)–ThiscourseisforteamDancersrepresentingSt.PiusX.Studentswilllearnabout differentperformancesettings,stageblocking,musicality,teambuilding,choreographyvisuals, strength/conditioningtechniques&auditionskills.Thisclasswilllearnintermediate/advancedchoreography invariousstylesincludingbutnotlimitedtoJazz,Pom,Acro&HipHop.Thiscourseishighlyfocusedto produceperformancequalityatschoolfunctions,opportunitiestocompeteand/orforstudentswhowishto continuedanceintocollegeorasacareer Requiredattirewillbejazzshoes,sneakersandblackclothingthat requiresfreemovement.Costumeswillneedtobepurchasedbystudents.
Prerequisite: AuditionandapplicationrequiredforInstructorapproval.Thiscourseisarequirementfor currentseasonDoradosDancersandwilltakeplaceduringXHour.
MSDRAMAI(Semester)Thecourseisanintroductiontoactingandthetheater Thestudentwilllearn theelementsofstageacting,bothindividuallyandinsmallgroupsaswellasunderstandingthebasicsof thetheaterspace. Emphasiswillbeplacedondramaticelements,vocalwork,improvisation,physical movement. Studentswillstudydramaticliterature,monologuesandscenework.Thisclassisdesignedasa foundationalcourseforfurtherstudyintheater.
Prerequisite:None;asemester-longelectivecourseopentoallmiddleschoolstudents.
MSDRAMAII(Semester)Thecourseisafurtherstudyintoactingandtheater Studentswhohave demonstratedproficiencyandgrowthoverthecourseofDramaIwillcontinuetheirstudieswithdeeperacting techniquesandcomplexvocalwork.Inadditiontobuildingonthetoolsintroducedearlier,studentswillalso
readandworkwithchallenginghighschoollevelplaysandscripts.Studentswillfocusoncollaboratingwith anddirectingtheirpeersforvariousstagedprojectsintheclass.
Prerequisite:MSDramaIwithagradeCorhigher.
BEGINNINGCHOIR
Thiscourseisdesignedforstudentswithlittleornochoralexperiencewho wishtolearnthebasics.Anemphasisisplacedonthedevelopmentofsight-singing,vocaltechniques, performingandgeneralmusicalknowledge.Thisensemblewillperformmusicatallconcertsandin conjunctionwiththeBelCantoConcertChoir.Thestudentwillberequiredtoparticipateinall school-sponsoredperformances,workshopsandclinics,andallspecialevents.
Prerequisite:None;asemester-longelectivecourseopentoallmiddleschoolstudents.
BEGINNINGBAND
TheBeginningBandisdesignedtoprovidestudentswithanintroductory experienceonbandinstruments. Thecurriculumforthiscourseisanextensionoftheskillsandconcepts introducedinGeneralMusicclasses.Priorinstrumentalmusicexperienceisnotrequired.
Prerequisite:None;asemester-longelectivecourseopentoallmiddleschoolstudents.
SYMPHONICBAND(Year)-Thisisthetopwindandpercussionensembleoftheschool.Thehighest levelofperformanceisexpected.Itisstronglysuggestedthatthestudenttakeprivatelessons outsideof schoolconcurrentwiththiscourse.Studentsarerequiredtoattendallperformances, workshopsandclinics, competitions,andfestivalsaswellason-campusoroff-campusschoolevents scheduledforSymphonic Band.Studentsareresponsibleforpurchasingtherequiredensemble attire.Studentswhochooseto participateindistrictorstatebandevents(SoloandEnsemble,HonorBand,NMMEAAllState)are responsibleforallassociatedcosts.
Prerequisite:BeginningBandwithaBorbetterorbyaudition.Thisisayear-longelectivecourse andmayberepeated. Thiscourseisopentoallhighschoolstudentsandmiddleschoolstudentsat Banddirector’sdiscretion.
TheBeginningOrchestraisdesignedtoprovidestudentswithan introductoryexperienceonstringinstruments.Thecurriculumforthiscourseisanextensionoftheskills andconceptsintroducedinGeneralMusicclasses.Priorinstrumentalmusicexperienceisnotrequired.
Prerequisite:None;asemester-longelectivecourseopentoallmiddleschoolstudents.
Year)-Thisisthestringensembleforexperiencedoradvancedplayers.The highestlevelofperformanceisexpected.Instrumentationislimitedtostringsonly. Studentsshouldtake privatelessonsoutsidetheschoolconcurrentwiththiscourseforfurthertechniquedevelopment. Musictheory,historyandinternationalmusicwillbeintroduced.Studentsarerequiredtoattendall performances,workshopsandclinics,competitions,festivals,aswellasallon-campusoroffcampusschool eventsscheduledforSymphonicOrchestra.Allperformances,rehearsalsandeventsaregradedactivities. Studentsareresponsibleforpurchasingtherequiredensemble attire.Studentswhochooseto participateindistrictorstateorchestraevents(SoloandEnsemble,Orchestra,NMMEAAllState)are responsibleforallassociatedcosts.
Prerequisite:Placementauditionrequired. Thisisayearlongclassandmayberepeated. Thiscourseis opentoallhighschoolstudents.Middleschoolstudentsbyauditiononlyandinstructorapproval.
MATH6 ThecurriculumwillimplementNextGenerationMathStandards. Studentswillreceive instructioninfiveareas:(1)connectingratioandratetowholenumbermultiplicationanddivisionand usingconceptsofratioandratetosolveproblems;(2)completingunderstandingofdivisionof fractionsandextendingthenotionofnumbertothesystemofrationalnumbers,whichincludes negativenumbers;(3)writing,interpreting,andusingexpressionsandequations;(4)deepening understandingofarea,surfaceareaandvolume;and(5)developingunderstandingofsimple probabilitiesandstatisticalthinking.Studentuseofcalculatorsisdeterminedbylearningobjectives.
MATH7 ThecurriculumwillimplementNextGenerationMathStandards. Studentswillreceive instructioninthreeareas:(1)developingunderstandingofandapplyingproportionalrelationships;(2) developingunderstandingofoperationswithrationalnumbersandworkingwithexpressionsand linearequations;and(3)drawinginferencesaboutpopulationsbasedonsamples. Studentuseof calculatorsisdeterminedbylearningobjectives.
8thgradestudentswhowouldliketoappealmathplacementmustcontacttheMSAdministration.
MATH8 Inthiscourse,studentswilllearntheconceptsofcomputationandunderstandthe propertiesofrealnumbers.Studentswillbecomecomfortablewithusinglettersandsymbolsto translateproblemsintoalgebraicform.Inaddition,theywilllearnhowtosolveandgraphlinear equationsandinequalities.Studentswillbecomecomfortablewiththeslopeofalineandhowit representstherateofchangeofthetwovariables.Studentswillalsolearnabouttwo-and three-dimensionalshapesandtheirproperties.Withinthis,studentswillcalculateperimeter,area, circumference,surfaceareaandvolumeoftheseshapes.Additionally,studentswillunderstandthe PythagoreanTheoremandbeabletoexplainwhyitistrue.Thestudentswillalsoapplyconceptsof probabilityinavarietyofways.Studentuseofcalculatorsisdeterminedbylearningobjectives.
Thiscourseprovidesthefoundationforallsubsequentmathcourses.Studentsare introducedtothebasicstructureofalgebrathroughtheuseandapplicationofrealnumbers,polynomials, factoring,linearandquadraticequationsandtheirgraphs,inequalitiesandrationalandirrationalnumbers. Thiscoursewillprovideopportunitiesforstudentstobuildtheirthinkingandproblem-solvingskills. Studentuseofcalculatorsisdeterminedbylearningobjectives.
Thiscourseisdesignedforfreshmenstudentswithhigher abilityinmathematics.Itisfast-paced,asstudentsareexpectedtolearnandapplyskillsmorequicklythan studentsinAlgebraI.Thefallsemestercoversallmaterialofregularalgebra(firstandsecond-degree equations,lines,inequalities,radicals,polynomials,andwordproblems)aswellassomeAlgebraIItopics, includingcomplexnumbersandsyntheticdivision.TheSpringsemesteriscomparabletoafullcoursein geometry.Topicsincludeparallelism,triangletheorems,formalproofs,similarity,circleproperties, quadrilaterals,areaoftwo-dimensionalfigures,andsurfaceareasandvolumeofthree-dimensionalfigures.
Prerequisite: Having taken a previous course in algebra is not a requirement. Entrance to this class is determined by qualifying placement entrance examscoresandgrades.Nowithdrawalswillbeallowedafter week7ofschool.
GEOMETRY This course is designed to help the student understand the basic structureofplane,solid,and coordinate geometry Students willdevelopproblem-solvingskillsandpowersofvisualization.Theywillalso build their knowledge of the relationship among geometric elements and will increase their understandingof the inductive and deductive methods of reasoning. Students are required to have the following items on the firstdayofclass;acompass,aprotractor,andascientificcalculator.
Prerequisite:AlgebraI.Requiredforgraduation.
PHYSICALEDUCATION(Semester) Thiscoursewillincludebothphysicalandhealtheducation conceptsandapplications.Itisdesignedtoprovidestudentswiththeskills,knowledge,andattitudes essentialforachievingabalancedandhealthylifestyle.Studentswillengageinroutinephysicalexercise designedtoimprovetheiroverallbaselevelofphysicalfitness. Note:Studentsarerequiredtowearlace-up athleticshoesforeachclass.
Prerequisite:None;asemester-longelectivecourseopentoallmiddleschoolstudents.
FOUNDATIONSOFSTEM6 Thiscourseintroducesstudentstocoreconceptsinscience,technology, engineering,andmaththroughhands-on,project-basedlearning,focusingonreal-worldproblem-solvingby applyingcriticalthinkingskillstodesign,build,test,andrefinesolutionswhilebuildingafoundationfor furtherexplorationinSTEMfields.
FOUNDATIONSOFLIFESCIENCE7 ThecurriculumwillimplementNextGenerationScience Standards. Therearefivelifesciencetopicsinmiddleschool:structure,function,andinformationprocessing, growth,development,andreproductionoforganisms,matterandenergyinorganismsandecosystems, interdependentrelationshipsinecosystems,andnaturalselectionandadaptations.Theperformance expectationsinmiddleschoolblendcoreideaswithscientificandengineeringpracticesandcrosscutting conceptstosupportstudentsindevelopingusableknowledgeacrossthesciencedisciplines.
Meetingthe8th-gradesciencerequirement,Foundationsin PhysicalScienceisafull-yearlaboratorysciencecourse.Thecourseisdesignedtoprovideageneral orientationtointroductoryphysicsandchemistry,andengineeringpractices.Scientificmeasurementskillsare emphasizedinalaboratoryenvironment.Studentsapplymathematicalandcriticalthinkingskillstosolve problemsinclassandapplythesetoreal-worldsituations.Thefollowingtopicsareemphasized:thenatureof science,experimentaldesign,basicstatisticalanalyses,introductiontotechnicalwritingandoralpresentation skills,allwithinthecontextofphysics,chemistryandengineeringpractices.Studentsarerequiredtohavea non-graphingscientificcalculatorforthisclass.
ANCIENTCIVILIZATIONS 6 ThecurriculumwillimplementNextGenerationSocialStudies Standards. Studentswillexplorepatternsofchangeincontinuitybyfocusingontheexpansionofandthe declineofcivilizations,patternsofgeography,anddevelopmentofpolitical,economic,andsocietalsystems intheEasternhemisphere.Theywillcompareandcontrastancientcivilizations,theMediterraneanWorld, feudalWesternEurope,theByzantineEmpire,andtheIslamiccaliphateastheyanalyzeandevaluatehow foundationsofsocietyinfluencethemodernera.
NMHISTORY7(semester) ThiscourseexploresNewMexico’shistoryfromitsacquisitionbytheUnited Statestothepresent.Thisincludesanexaminationofourstate’scontributionstoandinvolvementinthe majorpolitical,cultural,andeconomiceventsinthe20thcenturyincludingWWI,theGreatDepression, WWII,theColdWar,andtheCivilRightsMovement.Studentswillberequiredtousecriticalthinkingskills inbothclassdiscussionsandcreativeprojectsalongwithindividual“explorations”ofNewMexico.
U.S.HISTORY7(semester) Inthiscourse,studentswillmakeconnectionsacrosstimeaswellas understandeconomic,socialandpoliticaltrendsastheyexaminethehistoryoftheUnitedStates.Students willdeterminetheinfluenceofgeographicfactorsandnaturalresourcesonthedevelopmentofNative Americanandcolonialsocietiesandcultures,themovementforindependence,westwardexpansion,reform movements,andthegrowthofsectionalismthroughtheCivilWar ThehistoricaldevelopmentoftheU.S. Constitution,ourfoundationaldocumentsandtheinstitutionsofourgovernmentwillbeafocus.
U.S.HISTORY8 Inthiscourse,studentsencounteranddiscussthehistoryofournation.Studentswill engagewiththisstorythroughmasteringskillssuchasnote-taking,primarysourceanalysis,group discussion,andprojectlearning.Studentswillgainamasteryofthecountry’sphysicalandpolitical geographyandtherelevantteachingsofourCatholicfaithonsocialandpoliticallifeastheyexaminemajor historicalerasandeventsinU.S.History:reconstruction;industrialization,urbanization;andlabor conditions;ProgressiveMovement;expansionandimperialism;WorldWarIandtheRoaringTwenties; GreatDepression;WorldWarII;ColdWarandforeignpolicy;populationmovements;andCivilRightsand theGreatSociety.
RELIGION6 God’speoplethroughouthistoryandtodayarechallengedtofollowtheteachingsofJesus andHisancestorsasseeninHebrewandChristianScriptures. Bytheendofsixthgradestudentswill recognizehowGodrevealshimselfinScriptureandtradition,withanemphasisonsalvationhistory, understandtheirroleaspartofafamily,churchandcommunityaswellasdeveloptheirownprayerlife especiallyusingScripture,aspartofadeepeningrelationshipwithGod.
RELIGION7 FaithcallsustorespondtothemessageofJesusChristwhoispresenttoustodayinthe
Churchandintheworld. Bytheendofseventhgrade,studentswilldiscoverthepersonandteachingsof JesusChristthroughtheChristianScriptures. TheywillunderstandandrecognizevisiblesignsofGod’s presenceandbroadentheirunderstandingofandexperienceofsocialjusticeandstewardshipaswellas deepentheirrelationshipwithGodthroughreflectionuponandstudyofSacredScripture.
THEOLOGY8 Inthiscourse,studentswilllearnthestructureandhistoryoftheChurch.Theprimary focusoftheclassisidentifyinganddescribingthefoundationsoftheChurch.Studentswilllookatthe first500yearsofChurchhistoryandhowitformedthefoundationofthemodern-dayChurch.Students willbuildupontheknowledgeoftheGospelsinordertoproperlyunderstandthefoundationsuponwhich theChurchwasbuiltwhilecontinuingtodeveloptheirfamiliaritywiththeBible.Eachstudentwillalso examinetheimpactofsaints,ChurchleadersandimportanteventsthatshapedChristianity Abasic introductiontoethicsandmoralityisalsointerwoventhroughoutthethemesofthiscourse.
Coursesectionsinthisdepartmentareavailabletomeettheneedsofvariousstudentabilities.Assignmentto specialcoursesectionswillbemadewithfinalapprovalgivenbytheMiddleSchoolAdministration.
MSASL(semester)-ThemiddleschoolASLcoursewillintroducestudentstothefundamentalsof AmericanSignLanguage(ASL),focusingonbasicvocabulary,grammar,andculturalaspectsoftheDeaf community,allowingstudentstodevelopfoundationalcommunicationskillsthroughhands-onpractice whilelearningabouttheuniquecharacteristicsofASLandtheDeafculture,includinggreetings,basic conversationtopics,fingerspelling,andessentialfacialexpressions,allinasupportiveandinteractive environment.
Prerequisite:None-Anelectivecourseopentoallmiddleschoolstudents.
ASLI- Thecourseintroducesstudentstothegrammar,vocabulary,culturalaspectsoftheDeaf community,historyofASL,andhowitdiffersfromspokenlanguages.Studentswillengageinavarietyof signedsituationsintendedtodevelopreceptiveandexpressiveskills.ThisclassistaughtusingASLand spokenEnglish.Thiscourseisdesignedforonefullhighschoolforeignlanguagecredit.Assignments include,butarenotlimitedto,learningvocabularyandphrases,andwriting/translatingphrases.Daily practiceisessentialforsuccessintheclass,astherewillbenewvocabularyweeklyandfrequent assignments.
Prerequisite: None-Ahighschoolelectivecourseopentoall8thgradestudents.
FRENCHI-ThisisanintroductorycoursetobasicskillsinFrenchvocabularyandgrammar.Four communicationskillsaredeveloped:speaking,listening,reading,andwriting.Cultureisweavedinto each lessonviavideos,Frenchartifacts,literature,slides,andskitssostudentscanlearnto communicate effectivelywithFrenchspeakersacrosstheglobe,learnabouttheirownculture,and becomemoresensitive toculturaldifferences.Requirements:dailyreviewofmaterialstudied, memorizationofvocabularyand grammar,weeklyactivitiesintheworkbook.
Prerequisite:None-Ahighschoolelectivecourseopentoall8thgradestudents.
LATINI- This course will introduce students to the grammar, syntax, and vocabulary of the “immortal”
language. Students will learn through a means of live storytelling and continuous practice. While Latin is not spoken in the vernacular, the language serves as “means for teaching highly intelligent thought and speech.” By the end of Latin I, students will come to have an appreciation for the mechanics of language that will strengthen their writing abilities and communication skills in English. In union with learning the Latin language, students will be introduced to the civilization of Ancient Rome, its daily customs and mythology As each cultural topic is studied, students will be surprised by how many aspects of contemporary civilizations have been and still are influenced by the classics. “There can be no doubt as to the formative and educational value of the language of the Romans” - Saint Pope John XXIII.
Prerequisite: None-Ahighschoolelectivecourseopentoall8thgradestudents.
INTRODUCTIONTOSPANISH(semester) Thiscourseisasemestercoursethatfocusesondeveloping aworkingvocabularyaswellastheabilitytoproducemeaningfulcommunicationbydevelopingthe languageskillsoflistening,speaking,reading,andwriting.Throughthematic-basedvocabularyand grammaticalstructure,studentswillbecomefamiliarwiththevariousaspectsofSpanish-speakingcountries andtheirculture.
Prerequisite:None-Anelectivecourseopentoallmiddleschoolstudents.
SPANISHI InthiscoursestudentsstudythebasicsofSpanishgrammar,includingthepresent, imperfect,andpreterittenses.Fourcommunicationskillsaredeveloped:speaking,listening,reading,and writing.Studentswillbeexposedtothesimilaritiesanddifferencesinthecultureofthepeoplewhospeak theSpanishlanguage.
Prerequisite:None-Ahighschoolelectivecourseopentoall8thgradestudents.
HONORS SPANISH I Honors Spanish IisanacceleratedSpanishIcoursecoveringallthebasicconcepts and cultural items taught in Spanish I regularly This course is designed to meet the needs of students who have mastered some of the more basic concepts of regular level 1 but are not proficientenoughtofunction inalevelIISpanishcourse.Theprimarylanguageofinstructionwillbethetarget language.Spanishisusedextensivelyforcommunicationintheclassroom.Inaddition,studentswillbe responsibleforamajorprojecteachsemester.
Prerequisite:None-Ahighschoolelectivecourseopentoselect8thgradestudents. Pre-evaluation givenpriortoregistration,teacherrecommendationorinterviewwiththedepartment.
XHOURSTUDYHALL - XHourisafixedperiodthatwillbescheduledduringthelastperiodofevery schoolday ThemiddleschoolstudentswillattendstudyhallduringXHour Middleschoolathleteswho areparticipatinginanin-seasonSPXsportmayattendpractices/gamesforthatsportasscheduled.
SOAR(StudentOptionsandAcademicResources)- Inthiscoursemiddleschoolstudentscandevelop thenecessarystrategiestobecomemoreindependentlearners,improveacademicperformance,andbuild confidenceintheirabilitytosucceedinschool.Studentssetpersonalgoalssuchasimprovingtime management,organization,activereadingstrategies,note-taking,testpreparation,self-monitoringand
self-regulation,collaboration,andcommunication.Studentswhohaveundergoneeducationaldiagnostic evaluationsandwhohaveaccommodationsplansarestronglyrecommendedtoenrollinSOARinlieuofan elective. FortheSOARprogram,evaluationpaperworkmustbeprovidedbytheMiddleSchool administrationforfinalapproval.FinalplacementinSOARisdeterminedbytheadministration.