|

FOSTER LEADERSHIP & CONFIDENCE in Upper School

ACADEMICS

UPPER SCHOOL (GRADES 5-8)

Ave Maria Academy is devoted to forming the whole person by integrating a challenging academic program, intentional virtue and leadership opportunities and a deep devotion to Christ and the Catholic Church. Our teachers care deeply about each person who walks through their doors and aim to help them grow in knowledge and understanding of the world they live in. The challenging curriculum at Ave will prepare students to attend any of the wonderful high schools in our area. Our virtue and leadership programs help students to develop life skills and our devotion to their spiritual formation, through catholic formation, integrated course and our liturgical life provide the grounding they need to take on the challenges of life.

|

PREPARING STUDENTS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Ave Maria Academy inspires students to live virtuous lives. Children at Ave Maria learn to give the best of themselves, to be honest, prudent, and to practice fortitude. Students engage in daily acts of charity that may take place within the school or extend to communities around the world. Through the moral guidance of committed faculty, students learn that faith finds its full expression in service to others.

UPPER SCHOOL CURRICULUM

  • History/World Geography

    6th Grade:  Ancient History

    This course is three-fold: Ancient World, Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. The Ancient World explores the geography, culture, architecture and most prominent peoples of Egypt, Persia, Israel and more. Next, students will be introduced to the great heritage that has come from the Greeks. Students will learn about the customs, religion, education, government and life of Troy, Sparta, Athens, and about the Greek philosophers of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. The third and final part is that of the Romans. Starting with the early peoples of Italy and the founding of Rome, students move into the First and Second Punic Wars, Julius Caesar and finished with the decline and fall of Rome.


    6th Grade Text: all 3 books are 2nd edition by Dorothy Mills, published by Memoria Press

    • The Book of the Ancient World
    • The Book of the Ancient Greeks
    • The Book of the Ancient Romans

    7th Grade: Medieval History

    Students begin to understand medieval culture and way of life by knowing their history, story, beliefs, traditions, governance, laws, and customs. From the coming of Jesus Christ, to the achievements of medieval Christendom, God’s work in history reveals itself. Students will learn about the achievements of Feudalism, the Medieval Reformation and how Medieval architecture has played a part in restoring Christianity. We finish with the Crusades, and the fall and decay of Medieval culture.


    7th Grade Text: Light to the Nations Part I, published by Catholic Textbook Project


    8th Grade: Modern History

    Students continue with Part 2 of the Light to the Nations series, with “The Making of the Modern World”. We begin with the Renaissance & Reformation Eras, move to the Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution, work through the modern era and end with the World Wars.


    8th Grade Text: Light to the Nations Part II, published by Catholic Textbook Project

  • Language Arts

    Literature Curriculum Overview


    Our reading curriculum is a combination of textbook and novels, blending classic and contemporary works of fiction in a variety of genres. The emphasis is on comprehension, oral reading skill and improved reading strategies such as summarizing, predicting events, and supporting thoughts with evidence from the text. In addition, students will learn to analyze and evaluate literary elements including mood, tone, theme, point of view, conflict, plot, figurative language, characterization, and symbolism. Throughout middle school, students will read textbook selections and novels that include fiction, short stories, poetry, nonfiction, memoirs, myths, fables, and folk tales. The literature text is supplemented by a separate vocabulary program designed to increase word knowledge and recognition as well as pronunciation, usage in context, synonyms, antonyms, word families, and analogies.



    Writing and Grammar Curriculum Overview


    Students will receive a combination of writing and grammar. The writing program teaches students both structure and style for narratives, research reports, creative writing, and formal essays. Students will also have an opportunity to write poetry, and dialogues using techniques such as alliteration, onomatopoeia, figurative language and graphic elements, with a focus on public speaking skills. Students also write a variety of responses to literature including thesis papers and character analyses. In addition to writing, the students will have weekly grammar instruction focusing on the parts of speech and rules for capitalization and punctuation, as well as identification/uses of clauses, phrases, and modifiers. Seventh graders will receive an entire unit on advertising and media, as well.

  • Mathematics

    Ave Maria Academy has adopted Saxon Math to meet its curriculum standards. Saxon has delivered proven results for over 30 years, and our students are no doubt a part of that success. Saxon has an incremental structure that distributes content throughout the year, with homework problems set up in a way that provides continual practice of previous concepts, eventually leading to solid mastery.


    6th Grade Level Math: Saxon Math 7/6 students gain a solid foundation of algebraic reasoning and geometric skills as they prepare to move on to higher-level math. This text introduces functions and coordinate graphing, integers, exponential expressions, and prime factorization. Students will specifically learn about the order of operations, number lines, decimal place value, how to find the percent of a number, how to round decimal numbers, attributes of geometric solids, and more.


    7th Grade Level Math: Saxon Math 8/7 introduces new concepts students will need for upper-level algebra and geometry. Topics include fractions, decimals, percents, geometry, area, volume, ratio, proportion, exponents, scientific notation, signed numbers, algebraic terms, two-step equations and inequalities, slope, graphing, and the Pythagorean Theorem.


    Advanced 7th grade Math: Saxon Algebra 1 students will develop the understanding they need to resolve more complex problems and functions with step-by-step instruction. One hundred and twenty lessons cover signed numbers, exponents, roots, absolute value, equations and inequalities, scientific notations, unit conversions, polynomials, graphs, factoring, quadratic equations, direct and inverse variations, exponential growth, statistics, and probability.



    8th Grade Level Math: Geometry- HMH geometry helps students to understand the basics of geometry. There are 23 modules with over 63 lessons covering the properties of triangles, circles, and quadrilaterals, parallel lines, Congruent figures, transformations, trigonometry and more.

  • Religion

    Ave Maria Academy used Word of Life by Augustine Institute. 6th grade takes a journey through salvation history learning about the continuity of the Old and New Testament. Students will learn how God revealed himself to the chosen people of Israel and prepare for the coming of Christ. 7th grade picks of the story of salvation in the New Testament. They learn about Christ's call to live a holy life, learning how to imitate Him through reflecting on the Gospels. 8th grade studies the history of the Church from its beginnings at Pentecost to the modern day. Each grade will also take time to learn about the importance of each of the liturgical season.

  • Science

    6th Grade: Earth Science 

    The students will study: Metric, Scientific Method, Science Fair Experiment, Minerals, Rocks, Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Plate Tectonics, Fossils, Geologic Time, Meteorology, Oceanography, Erosion, Water Treatment, Rockets, & Astronomy


    7th Grade: Life Science

    The students will study: Metric, Scientific Method, Science Fair, Kingdoms, Cells, Bacteria, Protists, Fungi, Plants, Worm Dissection, Animals, Heredity, Ecology, Fish Dissection, Human Systems: Skeletal, Muscular, Digestive, & Immune Systems


    8th Grade: Physical Science

    The students will study: Metric, Scientific Method, Science Fair, Atoms, Elements, Matter, Periodic Table, Sub-atomic Particles, Chemical Reactions, Organic Chemistry, Energy, Nuclear Reactions, Forces of Motion, Simple Machines, Valleyfair, Light & Sound Waves

Specialties

  • Art

    Visual Skills and Techniques – comprehending and exploring visual media, techniques, and processes.


    Visual Forms, Functions and Process – understanding and applying the elements of art and the principles of design applying to personal works of art.


    Visual Awareness and Appreciation – recognizing, describing, and analyzing characteristics of beauty found in natural creation and in man-made art.


    Visual Sources of Inspiration – Students will choose and explore a breadth of themes, symbols and ideas.


    Interpretation of Visual Art – Students will interpret and evaluate their own works of art and the artwork of others in terms of the design process.


    Response of Visual Art – Students will understand the relationship between the visual arts and other disciplines.


    Historical and Cultural Context of Visual Art – Students will understand visual art as it relates to history, culture, and the Catholic Church

  • Music & Choir

    VOCAL SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES – Students will participate in singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.


    MUSIC AWARENESS AND APPRECIATION – Students will perform on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.


    IMPROVISING MUSICAL PHRASES AND PATTERNS – Students will understand improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments.


    MUSICAL SOUND SOURCES – Students will have an understanding of composing and arranging music within specified guidelines.


    READING MUSIC – Students will be able to read and notate music.


    MUSICAL FORMS – Students will listen to, analyze, and describe music.


    EVALUATION AND INTERPRETATION OF MUSIC – Students will evaluate music and music performances.


    RESPONSE TO VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS – Students will understand relationships among music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts.


    HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL CONTEXT OF MUSIC – Students will understand music in relation to history, culture, and the Catholic Church.

  • Physical Education

    The students will be introduced to several different sports throughout the year.  The students will know and understand physical activity concepts that enable them to make informed decisions to monitor and maintain a healthy, active lifestyle.


    They will apply movement concepts and principles to the learning and development of motor skills and demonstrate competency in many movement forms to participate confidently in physical activity.  Students will interact positively with respect for others to develop team building skills in physically active settings and understand that physical activity provides opportunities for enjoyment, challenge, self-expression, and social interaction.

  • Spanish

    Students can choose a Spanish or Latin track starting in 6th grade.


    6th Grade Spanish:

    Students build upon what was covered in 5th grade. The vocabulary covered includes food for breakfast and lunch, health and food, places to go when one is not in school, activities outside of school, families and parties, and family members and restaurant vocabulary. The grammar covered in 6th grade includes but is not limited to further learning of ser and estar, how to ask questions, and irregular present tense verbs.


    7th Grade Spanish:

    Students start to spend more time on grammar. They learn how to make comparisons, as well as practice with more difficult stem changing verbs. The 7th graders also learn commands, the affirmative tu command, as well as the present progressive tense. While the focus is more on grammar they do learn vocabulary about the bedroom, electronics, the home, chores, commands, as well as shopping and preferences.


    8th Grade Spanish:

    Students have a strong enough base to spend the majority of the time learning new grammar topics. The vocabulary that the 8th graders cover deals with learning about shopping, travel, and volunteer work. They broaden their horizons and learn not only how to say things in the present tense but the past tense. They finish the year learning about direct and indirect object pronouns.

  • Latin

    Students can choose a Spanish or Latin track starting in 6th grade.


    6th Grade Latin:

    Students are introduced to the language of the Church and the mother tongue of all of Western civilization the second semester of their 7th grade year. During this introductory course, students are taught the foundations of Latin grammar and sentence structure. They also come to understand the Mass parts in Latin and are able to recite the Creed and the Our Father in Latin.


    7th Grade Latin:

    Students are introduced to the language of the Church and the mother tongue of all of Western civilization the second semester of their 7th grade year. During this introductory course, students are taught the foundations of Latin grammar and sentence structure. They also come to understand the Mass parts in Latin and are able to recite the Creed and the Our Father in Latin.


    8th Grade Latin:

    During the first semester of their 8th grade year, students build upon their base of Latin learned the year prior. The students’ ability to express themselves in the Latin language is expanded upon as they learn more complex sentence structures and have a larger Latin vocabulary. They also come to understand select parts of the Vulgate in Latin.

Ave Maria Academy’s curriculum is designed to help students understand the bigger picture. Focusing on the fundamentals, we strive to build well rounded students who can see the connections across courses and how these truths touch their daily lives. Our science program provide opportunities to interact with the real world. Catholic formation teaches students about the beautiful truth of the Catholic faith and helps them to develop a personal relationship with Christ. In history students learn about the project of the West and how different events throughout history have paved the way for our society. Language Arts helps students to communicate what they learn and articulate themselves in front of others. Finally, We provide a grade level and advanced track for math.

|

5TH – 8TH GRADE FACULTY

Our 5th through 8th grade faculty at Ave Maria Academy guide students through these formative middle school years with high expectations, encouragement, and care. With expertise and dedication, they challenge students to think critically, grow in confidence, and develop academically, socially, and personally as they prepare for high school and beyond.

Zach Holton

ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOL, 7TH GRADE ADVANCED ALGEBRA, 8TH GRADE GEOMETRY

Kathy Ruzsa

5TH GRADE TEACHER

Katie Thomas

6TH GRADE HOMEROOM  |  6TH–8TH HISTORY  |  5TH–8TH GYM 

Jacie Kohler

8TH GRADE HOMEROOM  |  6TH–8TH MATH SPECIALIST  |  ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

Sara Nistler

MIDDLE SCHOOL RELIGION AND LATIN TEACHER

Victoria Franzese

5TH–8TH LANGUAGE ARTS 

Elizabeth Kira

5TH–8TH GRADE MUSIC

Emily Schoenfelder

K–8TH GRADE ART TEACHER

Laura Mueller

3RD–8TH GRADE SPANISH 

Scott Kielty

7TH GRADE HOMEROOM   |  6TH-8TH SCIENCE  |  3RD-5TH TECHNOLOGY  |  3RD-4TH GYM  |  GYM BOYS 5TH-8TH

AFTER SCHOOL CARE

aVE mARIA pLUS

3:30 - 6:00 pm

After School Schedule

3:30 - 3:45 pm

Arrival & Settle in

3:45 - 4:00 pm

Snack Provided

4:00 - 4:30 pm

Station 1: Homework

Station 2: Art

Station 3: Games

4:30 - 5:15 pm

Outdoor Play (or gym)

5:15 - 6:00 pm

Station 1: Homework

Station 2: Art

Station 3: Games

Station 4: Cars/Legos