Middle School (7th & 8th Grade)
Overview
Academic Program
Our middle school academic program provides broad training in the liberal arts and sciences and stresses creativity, independent thinking, writing, critical reading, and character education. It is meant to prepare students for high school through a challenging and nurturing academic program. The school underscores its commitment to our students in a community that is grounded in faith, moral responsibility, and academic excellence. The faculty provides an effective, safe, and controlled learning atmosphere and offers support for each student.
Language Arts
The middle school language arts program is a cohesive, four part curriculum. This program is centered on the study of grammar, composition, vocabulary, and literature and addresses both written and oral abilities. Middle school students are assigned novels of various genres to be read during the summer and throughout the school year. Creative and critical writing assignments focusing on expository, narrative, persuasive, and descriptive formats accompany each unit of study. In addition, in seventh grade Latin and Greek root words are explored with the primary objective being to strengthen vocabulary and sharpen analytical skills.
Math
Grace Episcopal Day School students work to fine tune computation skills and to develop abilities to problem solve. Students are encouraged to think and to gain confidence as mathematicians. At GEDS, each grade level schedules math at the same time, allowing students to attend the class for which they are best suited. Students are grouped according to SAT 10 results, prior academic record, student initiative, and teacher recommendation.
Pre-Algebra is designed to aid students in making the transition from elementary mathematics to algebra. The goal is to present the prerequisite skills, concepts, and problem solving processes needed to help students become comfortable and successful in algebra.
Algebra I is designed to develop critical thinking and creative problem solving processes that can be used to solve a variety of real world and mathematical problems. The curriculum addresses the common core state standards.
Science/Health
The seventh grade course affords an in-depth look at life science, specifically cells and heredity, including genetic disorders and viruses and bacteria.
Students explore the concepts with interdisciplinary connections in history, geography, technology, and the arts. Lab work integrates cooperative learning and a “hands on” approach to learning.
Seventh graders also study the nature of science through a 9-week forensics unit. Some topics include handwriting analysis, counterfeit checks, fingerprinting and reading dental impressions.
Health topics include building self-esteem through successful decision making and goal setting. A positive balance between physical, emotional, mental, and social health are explored, as well. The curriculum also includes a human growth and development component that is gender specific when appropriate. Students gain an understanding of the physical and emotional changes that come with puberty. There is a focus on positive character traits and God's plan for physical intimacy as a part of a loving marriage. Students learn the importance of setting boundaries and being assertive under pressure.
In the eighth grade, health concepts stress healthy relationships with families, the community, and friends. The ill effects of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs are taught, as well as the effects of infectious and non-infectious diseases and disorders.
Physical science is an eighth grade focus. Topics include chemical building blocks, motion, forces, and energy, sound and light, and electricity and magnetism. Laboratory investigations apply and extend key concepts.
Social Studies
American History and government are studied in seventh grade. The curriculum covers topics such as important historical documents and their impact on the nation, the three branches of our government, political parties, and different types of economic systems. Important events in America's history will also be studied. The curriculum is enriched by discussing current events on the local, national, and world level, studying maps and atlases to identify the United States and its territories as well as geographical and cultural landmarks, and taking part in hands-on activities that bring history into "the real world".
Spanish
In 7th grade Spanish, students become familiar with the lifestyles and elements of culture from Spanish speaking countries. In addition, students will further their Spanish vocabulary and be introduced to basic Spanish grammar. This course is the equivalent to the first part of Spanish 1 at the high school level.
8th grade students learn to use Spanish in every day conversational settings. Students also explore the various cultures of Spanish speaking countries, in addition to learning to speak, read, write, and understand Spanish at a beginning level. There is an emphasis placed on expanding the students’ Spanish vocabulary along with learning new grammar concepts. This course is equal to Spanish 1 at the high school level and is aimed to prepare students to enter into Spanish 2 as high school freshmen.
Christian Education
Our chapel services are rooted in the Episcopal tradition. The entire school attends weekly chapel services and a scheduled "flag ceremony" which includes music, recognition of character education accomplishments, and highlights of school wide service projects. Our middle school curriculum reinforces Christian values and meets students "where they are"; at this time in their life. Lessons are relevant and geared to life application. Each quarter centers on a theme, and instruction is across the curriculum. A service project and field trip relating to the current theme are planned throughout each nine week period.
Technology
Students will have an opportunity to take classes in advanced Microsoft Office, video production, and graphic design. They will also learn and implement in daily work Microsoft Word, Publisher, Excel, and PowerPoint. Keyboarding skills will continue to be developed with emphasis on speed and accuracy.
Music
Our middle school performing arts program teaches our students three aspects of music: music theory, history and performance. Our students learn a functional overview of music notation and how to perform a piece of music. They also learn important historic musical figures and their roles in shaping music as we know it today. As part of this program, our students perform in three programs throughout the year.
Students also study public speaking. Through studying vocal intonation, posture, physical gestures and facial expressions, they gain an understanding of how to most effectively use non-verbal and verbal communication. Our students present a speech on a historic musical figure and why he or she is important to the evolution of music.
Physical Education
The middle school PE curriculum follows the guidelines of the Florida State Standards. The students participate in team activities, as well as individual activities, to improve their health, their knowledge, and their character. Students learn skills, rules, and team interactions for each sport or activity. Some of these activities include flag football, volleyball, and the Presidential Fitness Challenge.
Electives
In addition to the core classes, the middle school curriculum offers electives twice weekly. These courses reflect student interest and promote physical fitness, the arts, and critical thinking. Each nine week period, students make two new selections. From band and balance to sports and study hall, students have a variety of choices that will suit their interests.
Overnight Study Trip
The seventh grade students and teachers will participate in a five-day trip to North Carolina. This trip occurs in the first quarter of the year and provides a team-building approach to foster a sense of community among our new middle school students.
The eighth grade students and teachers conclude the year with an overnight trip to Orlando. Students are provided with a visual and kinesthetic experience of the physical science concepts learned during the year. This is achieved while analyzing and riding roller coasters at Universal Studios. A scavenger hunt at Epcot’s World of Nations allows students to immerse themselvesin the world cultures that were studied in geography.
Student Life
Extracurricular activities enrich the lives of the students and provide them with opportunities to express themselves through the arts, athletics, service organizations, and clubs. Leadership and organizational skills are developed within student activities by chairing committees and serving as officers. Clubs may meet before or after school. Students interested in starting a new club must meet with the head of school for approval.
Athletics
GEDS has an interscholastic athletic program. The school is a member of the JCAL League and subscribes to all the rules and regulations of the league.
Fall: soccer (co-ed), volleyball (girls)
Winter: basketball (boys), cheerleading
Spring: track (co-ed), flag football (boys)
National Junior Honor Society
Grace Episcopal Day School hosts a chapter of the National Junior Honor Society. This program is open to all middle school students who apply themselves and meet the five established criteria of scholarship, leadership, service, citizenship, and character.