Middle School

Religion in Middle School involves problem solving, liturgy planning, and community and parish involvement. It includes church history and scripture study. This is accomplished through teacher-led discussions, Bible stories, plays, and shared prayer time.

The curriculum has been designed to take the students through a logical progression where skills and concepts are introduced, reinforced, and mastered. By the end of Grade 8, students will be able to write an intelligent, mechanically-sound essay and research paper; read and discuss literature with insight and perception; understand the underlying structure of the English language; deliver a formal speech; and effectively participate in a discussion.

The Notre Dame Academy math program blends discovery and discussion, projects, explorations, and investigations into a curriculum that recognizes and augments the children’s capabilities. The curriculum builds on the fundamental mathematical strands of numeration and counting, operations and relations, and problem-solving. It is achieved by integrating mathematics instruction into multiple curricula areas, with emphasis on application in science and STEAM, the origins and uses of the language of mathematics, and its close relationship with visual perception. Through the curriculum, the students gain a familiarity with math vocabulary while solidifying their computation skills. The program also aims to build self-confidence in mathematical abilities and to teach organizational skills to the students as demonstrated by their work.

Science class at Notre Dame Academy provides students with a working knowledge of scientific concepts, experienced based methodologies, such as group discussion, lecture, and hands-on use of manipulatives, lab experiences, field trips, and science fair projects. Scientific knowledge advances when students observe objects and events, think about how they relate to what is known, test their ideas in logical ways, and generate explanations that integrate the new information into understanding of the natural and designed worlds. Thus, science at NDA is includes content knowledge and science practices. Our students experience and interact with science not only in their regular science class, but also in their STEAM class. STEAM class is the integration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics. It is taught in grades Preschool through eighth grade. The STEAM or STEM philosophy is paradigm shift and focuses on valuing the learning and design process. In essence, we dare our students to be wrong, to try multiple ideas, listen to alternate opinions and create a knowledge base that is applicable to real life.

The Notre Dame Academy social sciences curriculum is a sequential program, which emphasizes responsible membership in communities, nations, and the world. The curriculum is enriched through the integration of geography, current events, and citizenship training. The entire social sciences program is a content-intensive, inquiry-driven, and literacy-focused. A major goal of the social sciences program is to develop caring, literate citizens as students grow into their roles of decision-makers in our democracy and in our world. Following the new History-Social Science Framework for California, our teachers design, implement, and maintain a coherent course of study to teach content, develop inquiry-based critical thinking skills, improve reading comprehension and expository writing ability, and promote an engaged and knowledgeable citizenry in history.

At Notre Dame Academy, technology is used throughout the day at each grade level, both in the classroom and during students’ Technology class times. Digital citizenship and responsible technology use is an integral part our Technology class at NDA. One-to-one iPads in our Kindergarten through eighth grade classrooms provides our students with opportunities to collaborate and communicate in authentic learning activities that relevant to the world in real time, and media literacy. Whether it's explicit instruction on word processing and typing skills or multi-media presentations on cross-curricular projects, our students are prepared for the 21st Century world.

Through the use of a sequential art program, students are introduced to the masters of art, media of art, and hands-on art activities. The program emphasizes art as a process for communicating ideas and includes Visual Arts Heritage through major artists. To be most effective, students learn concepts and skills that facilitate individual expression in various arts and music. Skill building is presented through experimentation with a variety of techniques and materials. Learning to observe and listen carefully is the key to successfully communicating an idea through drawing, painting, and music. Concepts and skills are presented in a developmentally appropriate way.

At Notre Dame Academy, students in all grade levels are given tools to develop and strengthen organizational and study skills in order to enable them to succeed to the best of their ability. By teaching metacognition skills and strategies our students become more self-aware and reflective learners.

French and Spanish are taught in Preschool through eighth grade. The goal of the program is to increase the awareness of each child to the importance of learning  world languages and culture. Cultural, linguistic, and effective strands of learning are incorporated. The children encounter a rich, interactive environment where language acquisition skills are balanced with cultural celebrations and traditions. The program also aims to build self-confidence in verbal skills in a foreign language, and to teach students organizational skills as demonstrated by their work.

The physical education curriculum and athletic programs are designed to meet the interests and abilities of the students at each grade level. The curriculum emphasizes the development of greater physical control and motor efficiency that will be useful in lifelong, everyday activities. Helping children to develop a positive self-image and good sportsmanship is an integral part of the program. Through a wide variety of activities and team sports, students develop a positive attitude toward physical activity and are encouraged to integrate this into their everyday lives.

NDA's Trinity, which is composed of the Schoolwide Learning Expectations, character development program, and social skills curriculum, supports the students as they grow habits of mind and heart, as well as their growth in academic achievement.  Since we leave nothing up to chance at NDA, our students are taught and practice the social skills necessary to become successful, active members of the community.