In middle school, student literacy skills are honed and refined to prepare them for the rigors of high school. Teachers use the HMH Into Literature program to build students’ confidence, standards mastery, and college and career readiness. Each grade level focuses on certain in-class novels during the year to encourage critical thinking as students analyze characters, plot development, themes, and literary devices.

The Daily Grammar Practice program enables students to grasp grammar concepts, leading to improved sentence structure, coherence, and organization in their written work. Students receive targeted writing instruction and engage in regular writing practice in the Writable program to deepen their understanding and widen their knowledge in regard to essay writing and research strategies. 

A strong, aligned math curriculum supports student success. Middle School math teachers collaborate across grade-levels to discover new ways to enhance the learning experience for each individual student.

Students use the Prentice Hall Mathematics textbook series and supplement with All Things Algebra activities. Instruction is supported and enhanced through online programs such as IXL. Through practice and problem solving, students develop new mathematical knowledge and gain an understanding of how mathematical ideas interconnect. Students are encouraged to apply a variety of appropriate strategies to solve problems and to communicate their mathematical thinking to peers and teachers through collaborative learning opportunities. The Middle School math program challenges students as they evaluate, analyze, recognize, and apply mathematics in the real world.

Students in our middle school math program receive instruction in the Diocesan math standards through a rigorous and advanced curriculum. Students who qualify have the opportunity to enroll in an honors level class at each grade level. The other classes receive instruction in our already advanced curriculum.

Religion classes are designed to deepen students’ understanding of Catholic teachings, foster spiritual growth, and encourage the integration of faith into their lives. Middle schoolers learn about the core beliefs and doctrines of the Catholic Church, the liturgical calendar, the structure of the Mass, and the importance of liturgical celebrations.  They explore key biblical stories through in-depth studies of the Bible, emphasizing both the Old and New Testaments. Students are taught various forms of Catholic prayer to foster a sense of spirituality and a personal relationship with God. They learn about the lives of Catholic saints, their contributions to the Church, and their examples of holiness. Students engage in community service projects as they learn the importance of service to others and social justice.

In 7th and 8th grade, students deepen their understanding of the Catholic faith, commit to living out their beliefs, and prepare to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in 8th grade. This transformative and educational experience guides students toward a more mature and committed expression of their faith within the Catholic tradition.

Middle School science teachers work in partnership with each other and with the Science Department Chair to ensure vertical alignment of the science curriculum across the grades. Students use technology applications and a variety of other resources to develop critical thinking, creativity, communication skills, and collaboration with others (the 4C’s of STEM). In science classes, students conduct lab experiments, engage in scientific investigations, make observations, and solve problems. Seventh and 8th grade students have access to Discovery Education’s Science Techbook. This digital textbook provides a blend of resources such as STEM project starters, interactive tools, streaming video, and hands-on labs. All students participate in the annual STEM Fair by engineering solutions to real world challenges. The goal for our program is to create relevant, challenging, integrated STEM activities that will emphasize 21^st Century skills for our students.

Our Middle School Social Studies program develops civic-minded students through the study of political systems, the election process, foreign policy, and interactions of people and society. In 6th grade, students focus on different periods in world history that include ancient civilizations such as Mesopotamia, China, Greece, Rome and more. Students in 7th grade study Texas history through annexation and statehood, and United States history, from colonization to the American Revolution. In 8th grade, students continue where they ended their 7th grade studies and learn about American civics, history, and geography. Each year in Middle School, there is one field trip that directly correlates to what they are learning in social studies to provide students with a deeper understanding of what we are learning in the classroom.

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School curriculum is designed to comply with the academic requirements of the Office of Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Dallas, integrating current content and fresh approaches to the methodology involved in informing, forming, and transforming our students with wonder and meaning of Christian faith.

Diocesan Curriculum Standards 

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School is accredited by the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops Education Department.