As students transition into junior high, they are offered a more in-depth approach to learning each academic subject. Teachers in the program are specialized in particular subjects, and students spend longer blocks of time concentrated on each content area. St. Genevieve School students continue to develop critical thinking skills and take more responsibility for their own learning and behavior. St. Genevieve students are confident and ready for high school algebra.

• The math program builds on multiplication and division skills, while incorporating fractions, decimals and percentages. Students are introduced to pre-algebra which includes the study of graphing, proportion, data analysis and probability. After successfully completing their eighth grade math courses, St. Genevieve School students should feel confident in starting high school algebra their freshman year.

• The reading and language arts program introduces new and varied writing styles. Students read novels as well as shorter selections from a literature anthology. Accelerated Reader Program enhances the students’ reading experience, while improving reading and comprehension levels. In sixth grade, vocabulary replaces spelling as students begin to write more poems, essays and short stories. The program continues with creative writing projects, a review of grammar and more advanced literature studies.

• In science classes, students begin to learn about matter, energy, motion, the atmosphere, weather and botany through hands-on experiments and use of lab equipment. In seventh and eighth grades, the scientific method is learned and applied in the science lab. Students have the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of the scientific method through their participation in the annual Science Fair.

• In social studies, students learn World History, Civilizations, America in the 20th and 21st Centuries, the Illinois Constitution and the Constitution of the United States.

• The religious studies program continues in sixth grade as classes concentrate on Old Testament scriptures. Students continue to attend and participate in the weekly all-school Mass as readers and servers. In eighth grade, students learn more about the formation of the Church through study of the Old Testament and Church history. In preparation for Confirmation and graduation, students are taught more about the sacraments and moral values and take part in both organized and individual service projects.