Middle School

Learn more about Middle School Life at North Phoenix Prep

7th Grade Curriculum

Literature and Composition II: This course continues the in-depth study of grammar, vocabulary, literature, writing, and discussion skills begun in 6th grade Literature and Composition. Texts include The Call of the Wild, The Miracle Worker, Short Stories of Edgar Allen Poe, Treasure Island, and Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. Students continue to refine their writing skills with a focus on various types of paragraphs and a transition into longer essays.

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Ancient History: An examination of the major inventions, political and economic developments, military strategies, and literary qualities unique to various places and times in the ancient world. Although the focus is on Mesopotamia, Israel, Egypt, Greece, and Rome, students also study other cultures, including the Persians and the Hittites. Texts include primary sources as well as a textbook.

Pre-Algebra: An introduction to necessary pre-algebraic and algebraic skills. Our enriched class lays the foundation for an array of courses, including geometry, advanced algebra, calculus, chemistry, and physics

Life Science: A course that explores the plant and animal world through an investigation of anatomy, classification, basic life processes, and ecological significance of organisms. The class includes multiple projects/dissections, and a significant unit on native plants and animals.

Latin I: A continuation of the 7th grade course, emphasizing the mastery of grammatical details such as endings/forms, passive and active voices for all tenses, and translation of intermediate texts. Roman culture is also explored further, through the reading of literary and historical documents.

Art I: An introduction to fundamental concepts such as line, color, shape, balance, and composition. Students also study and practice calligraphy. One semester.

Music I: This course serves as an introduction to basic music theory. Students learn to read and use notation using the treble, bass, and movable-C clefs. They also learn about modes and scales, key signatures, and basic rhythm and meter patterns. Students use their knowledge to play the soprano recorder and perform in concerts. They also apply their knowledge to a discussion of recordings of great works by various composers. One semester.

8th Grade Curriculum

Literature and Composition III: This crowning course continues the study of grammar, vocabulary, literature, writing, and discussion and prepares students for high school humane letters classes. Literature studied includes Beowulf, The Chosen, To Kill a Mockingbird, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and The Lord of the Flies. Writing is emphasized more heavily in this course, with the concentration shifting to the five-paragraph essay form.

Medieval History: An investigation of the development of Western civilization from the fall of Rome through the Renaissance, including Byzantine and Islamic culture. Students examine distinguishing features of each civilization and themes connecting different groups and time periods, using both a textbook and extensive primary sources. This course builds a foundation for the further exploration of European history in the high school Humane Letters courses.

Algebra I: A review of basic equation solving with the real number system, and an introduction to the use of algebraic and linear functions to solve equations with two variables. Polynomials, rational/irrational numbers, algebraic fractions, and the quadratic formula are also covered in this class.

Earth Science: A study of numerous earth science phenomena with an emphasis on identification, description and modeling. The four main units of the course are astronomy, geology, geography, and meteorology. The class includes the writing and presentation of major projects, and will also focus on skills such as unit-measurement conversions, map reading, and the comprehension of various heat/energy cycles.

Latin II: A continuation of the 7th grade course, emphasizing the mastery of grammatical details such as endings/forms, passive and active voices for all tenses, and translation of intermediate texts. Roman culture is also explored further, through the reading of literary and historical documents.

Art II: A continuation of the 7th grade course, expanding on the fundamental concepts such as line, color, shape, balance, and composition. Students also study and practice calligraphy. One semester.

Music II: A continuation of the 7th grade course, expanding the theory to include the harmonic level with intervals and triads. Students learn to play soprano, alto and tenor recorders, allowing for a more complicated performance repertoire. Students also listen to recordings of works by various composers and discuss the pieces as a class.