Middle School
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Middle School6th-8th grade
St. Theresa’s Catholic School middle school consists of grades 6 – 8. The core academic courses Religion, Math, Social Studies, Science, Language Arts, and Foreign Language are grade specific. Elective classes allow students to gain exposure to new subjects and may combine students from different grades.
Learn
Students are challenged to develop academic and physical skills, pursue knowledge, and critically study and analyze the world in which they live. The academic program is designed to build upon the strong foundation that students acquired in the lower grades and prepare them to excel in future educational opportunities. The faculty strives to instill in students a lifelong love of learning. The middle school program is student-focused, rather than subject-focused.
Serve
As part of our students’ adult formation, each middle school student is asked to perform community service: 15 volunteer hours are required per school year. St. Theresa’s Little Way Award is given to honor students who earn the most service hours outside of school hours. Each grade is assigned a general area of service.
Believe
As a parochial school, St. Theresa’s Catholic School is part of the faith community of St. Theresa Church. Religion is formally taught every day, and Catholic values are integrated into all subjects. Students attend and actively participate in weekly Mass. We believe Catholic education should inspire children to become instruments of God’s grace and to work for justice in the world.
6th GradeLearn
Sixth Grade: Core, Essential, & Elective Courses- Religion
- English Language Arts and Reading
- Life Science
- Social Studies (World Geography, History, and Cultures)
- Mathematics (Math 6 or Math 7)
- Foreign Languages - Spanish & Latin
- Physical Education
- Study Hall
- Essentials (PE & Health, Music, Art, Techology, Little Way Seminar)
- Electives: Instrumental Exploration, Popular Music, Film TV & Game Music, Abstract Art, Existent & Whimsical Creatures, Portraiture, Robotics, MakerSpace, Financial Literacy, Synergy & Compassion, Ministration, and Social Discourse
Serve
- Coordinated class-wide service projects across Austin
- Catholic Schools Week day of service at local charity or other service provider
- Ministerial service in Mass and classroom
- 6th graders serve as mentors to 1st grade students
- Campus ambassadors and leaders through Student Leadership Council
- All MS students complete a minimum of 15 service hours per year
Believe
- Offsite retreat at St. Thomas More Youth House
- Weekly participation in the school Mass
- Participation in the Worldwide Children’s Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration
- Advent and Lent Reconciliation services
- Participation in Fall and Spring school-wide praying of the Rosary
- Praying of the Divine Mercy Chaplet, litanies, and other Catholic devotions
- Exposure to Catholic sacramentals and indulgences
- Multiple faith-based projects in Religion class and elsewhere to apply faith principles
- Application of Catholic Social Teaching and principles of justice to service and other aspects of life
- Saint of the Day and student-led prayer related to the saint of the day in Religion class
- Class visits to the church for quiet prayer and reflection, Scripture reading, prayer services, and catechesis
- Liturgical Music practice in the church every week
Unique to 6th Grade
- Independent schedule with classroom and instructor rotation each period
- Essential courses in fine arts, technology, and physical education
- Overnight field trip
- Full range of interscholastic athletics
- Extreme Math, Cheer, Quiz Bowl, and Sports
- In the Spring students may attend Middle School dances
- Exploratory Languages: Spanish & Latin one semester each
7th Grade
Learn
Seventh Grade: Required & Elective Courses- Religion
- English Language Arts and Reading
- Earth Science
- Texas History
- Mathematics (Grade 7 Math, Pre-Algebra or *Honors Algebra 1)
- Foreign Language: *Latin or *Spanish
- Physical Education ·
- Extensive Electives:Instrumental Exploration, Popular Music, Film TV & Game Music, Abstract Art, Existent & Whimsical Creatures, Portraiture, Robotics, MakerSpace, Financial Literacy, Synergy & Compassion, Ministration, and Social Discourse
*May be eligible for high school credit or placement in advanced courses. The
determination for this is made at the high school the student chooses to attend.Serve
- Coordinated class-wide service projects across Austin
- Catholic Schools Week day of service at local charity or other service provider
- Ministerial service in Mass and classroom
- 6th graders serve as mentors to 1st grade students
- Campus ambassadors and leaders through Student Leadership Council
- All MS students complete a minimum of 15 service hours per year
Believe
- Offsite retreat at St. Thomas More Youth House
- Weekly participation in the school Mass
- Participation in the Worldwide Children’s Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration
- Advent and Lent Reconciliation services
- Participation in Fall and Spring school-wide praying of the Rosary
- Praying of the Divine Mercy Chaplet, litanies, and other Catholic devotions
- Exposure to Catholic sacramentals and indulgences
- Multiple faith-based projects in Religion class and elsewhere to apply faith principles
- Application of Catholic Social Teaching and principles of justice to service and other aspects of life
- Saint of the Day and student-led prayer related to the saint of the day in Religion class
- Class visits to the church for quiet prayer and reflection, Scripture reading, prayer services, and catechesis
- Liturgical Music practice in the church every week
Unique to 7th Grade
- Student eligible to join National Junior Honor Society
- Social Studies and Science based 3-day, 2-night trip to Port Aransas
- Flex Clubs including Extreme Math, Cheer, Improv, Quiz Bowl, and Sports
- Attend Dances
- Spanish or Latin choice language selection - year round
8th GradeLearn
Eighth Grade: Required & Elective Courses- Religion
- English Language Arts and Reading
- Physical Science
- U.S. History (early colonial period through Reconstruction)
- Mathematics (Pre-Algebra, *Honors Algebra and *Honors Geometry)
- Foreign Language: *Spanish or *Latin
- Physical Education
- Communication Applications
- Extensive Electives: Instrumental Exploration, Popular Music, Film TV & Game Music, Abstract Art, Existent & Whimsical Creatures, Portraiture, Robotics, MakerSpace, Financial Literacy, Synergy & Compassion, Ministration, and Social Discourse
*May be eligible for high school credit or placement in advanced courses. The
determination for this is made at the high school the student chooses to attend.Serve
- Coordinated class-wide service projects across Austin
- Catholic Schools Week day of service at local charity or other service provider
- Ministerial service in Mass and classroom
- 6th graders serve as mentors to 1st grade students
- Campus ambassadors and leaders through Student Leadership Council
- All MS students complete a minimum of 15 service hours per year
Believe
- Pines Catholic Camp retreat in fall and afternoon of reflection in spring
- Weekly participation in the school Mass
- Participation in the Worldwide Children’s Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration
- Advent and Lent Reconciliation services
- Participation in Fall and Spring school-wide praying of the Rosary
- Praying of the Divine Mercy Chaplet, litanies, and other Catholic devotions
- Exposure to Catholic sacramentals and indulgences
- Multiple faith-based projects in Religion class and elsewhere to apply faith principles
- Application of Catholic Social Teaching and principles of justice to service and other aspects of life
- Saint of the Day and student-led prayer related to the saint of the day in Religion class
- Class visits to the church for quiet prayer and reflection, Scripture reading, prayer services, and catechesis
- Liturgical Music practice in the church every week
Unique to 8th Grade
- 3-day, 2-night religious retreat to The Pines Catholic Camp
- Serve as Ushers in Mass
- Standard Bearer & Master of Ceremony in Mass
- Organize the 5 Days to Raise campaign to present a school gift
- National Spanish Exam
- Visits to high schools
- Special Grade 8 commemorative photos
“Our 8th graders are our student leaders. They set the tone in the classroom, across
the campus, and in Mass. Leadership is the focus of their three-day retreat to The
Pines. There they are commissioned to go into the world as servant leaders.”
-Mike Wendling, MS Math Teacher & Math Department Chair“Students move on to ninth grade very well prepared to do well in high school.”
-John Steinhardt , MS Math Teacher
Where do most 8th grade students from St. Theresa's go to high school?
It will vary annually. STCS students typically attend St. Michael's Catholic Academy, St. Dominic Savio or their local public school.