Eighth Grade

The Perfect High School Primer
By the time a Saint Ignatius student is ready to enter eighth grade, a solid academic foundation has been laid. With more than two decades of teaching experience, Mrs. Margaret McKenna, one of the school's most respected teachers, helps crystallize the eighth grade students' understanding of coursework, as well as what to expect in the much-anticipated high school years.

Mrs. Margaret McKenna Eighth Grade Teacher

From National Junior Honor Society to the First Grade Prayer Partner program, eighth graders are regularly accepting new challenges and roles of responsibility, including:

• Honors' Math - Designed to encourage eighth grade students to exercise their analytical muscles, this advanced class focuses on more sophisticated mathematical subjects and problem-solving techniques..
• Educational Trips - Past years have taken students to Gettysburg, Washington, DC, and New York City with the principal; eighth graders learn through Q&A sessions and personal observations.
• The Current Events' League - For sixth, seventh, and eighth graders, students are permitted to broaden their knowledge through active participation, rigorous preparation, and quarterly testing.

Above and beyond teaching exceptional academics, Mrs. McKenna is responsible for imparting her extensive social studies' knowledge on the school's upper grades. By closely following the definition as outlined by the National Council for Social Studies (NCSS), Mrs. Mckenna clearly emphasizes the relationship between social sciences and the humanities as a promoter of civic competence. As a result, grades five through eight are able to systematically comprehend a natural progression of social studies' topics, as follows:

• Grade 5 - The Western Hemisphere
• Grade 6 - The Eastern Hemisphere
• Grade 7 - Early American Civilizations to Pre-Civil War
• Grade 8 - Pre-Civil War to the New Frontier and Beyond

Piquing the curiosity of these eager minds is an ongoing event. Through the use of magazines, newspapers, discussions, field trips, and more, eighth grade students get a well-rounded look at the world and its dynamic state of affairs.

Religion is a sacred part of the daily routine. With morning and afternoon prayers, church history education, lessons in morality, and religious art, students can increase their spiritual awareness while strengthening their bonds with God.

Onward and Upward

These bright, eighth grade students value the importance of acceptance into a well-regarded high school. Their consistently above-average Terra Nova scores, coupled with focused academic efforts rarely disappoint parents. Saint Ignatius assists in the high school admission process with:

• Fall Applications
• School Visits
• Teacher Recommendations
• Parental Involvement

Saint Ignatius of Antioch Catholic School offers a unique educational opportunity for eighth grade children. Please contact us for more information about our Catholic school program.