During the first semester of this year-long course, students will read and analyze various kinds of written texts, including novels and short fiction, informational texts representing a wide range of topics and forms, and several one-act plays. Lessons in Semester A will also guide students in writing their own narratives and essays, using the readings in the course as both examples and sources of ideas for reflection, analysis, and argument. In Semester B, students will examine the role of historical autobiographies and diaries in our understanding of history. In the process, they’ll study the impact of point of view on nonfiction texts.

In the second half of the semester, students will study the relationship between poetic expression and several conventions of language, including syntax, voice, sentence types, and punctuation. Near the end of the semester, students will reflect on their own growth and development throughout the year, compiling a portfolio that illustrates the progress they’ve made.

This course is an exploration into the history of the United States. Students will explore the area where the United States was formed starting with the Age of Discovery and finishing with the End of Reconstruction. Along the way, students will learn the first stanza of “The Star-Spangled Banner” and the Gettysburg Address. The course addresses topics from the discovery of America to the Compromise of 1877.

8th Grade Math will help students move from the world of simple mathematics to the exciting world of Algebra and Geometry. It will provide them with a concrete understanding of the basics of algebraic thinking. Students will develop a deeper understanding of the math concepts they have already learned and will stretch their thinking by solving real world problems.

Algebra 1 is the foundation of upper school math. The skills acquired in this course contain the basic knowledge needed for all future math courses. The content in this course is tied to real-world applications like sports, travel, business, and health. This course is designed to give students the basic skills and problem-solving strategies to work through many types of mathematical problems using critical thinking skills.

Topics include: basic operations, modeling, algebraic properties, functions, expressions, equations and inequalities, polynomials, factoring, exponents, radicals, linear, exponential and quadratic functions, systems, intro to statistics, and word problems. Students are assessed throughout each module to demonstrate their mastery of the course content.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Pre-Algebra

8th Grade Science is the third in a series of three consecutive middle school science classes. It builds on concepts introduced in the first and second courses of the series, including the disciplines of life science, physical science, and earth-space science. In addition, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) concepts are integrated throughout the course. Students learn about properties of matter, physical and chemical changes, atoms and the periodic table of elements, photosynthesis and cellular respiration, the universe, and the solar system. Hands-on and virtual laboratory investigations are included throughout the course to provide students opportunities for exploration through scientific inquiry, research, measurement, problem solving, and experimental procedures. By the end of the course, students will be practicing, experimenting, thinking, and talking like a scientist!

In this course, students will analyze influences affecting personal health practices; apply decision-making processes to a variety of situations that impact mental, emotional, and social health; analyze internal and external influences affecting growth and development, relationships, and sexual behavior; and learn to use effective decision-making skills to avoid alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. Three hours of weekly physical activity are required to be logged throughout the course.