Middle School

The middle school years of a child's education are important for building the educational, emotional, and spiritual foundation that will benefit your child for years to come. Starting in sixth grade, Divine Savior students are exposed to a solid foundation of core classes that includes math, English language arts and writing, science, social studies, and theology. All subjects in our curriculum are taught from a distinctively Christian point of view, and all activities are centered in a Christian environment. Divine Savior Academy is a place where the Bible serves as the framework for guidance and truth across all areas of our curriculum.

Middle school students are encouraged and supported to develop their independence and organizational skills that will allow them to be successful high school students and adults in the future. Divine Savior’s rich curriculum is designed with flexibility to meet the needs of each student as it fosters exploration, critical thinking, problem solving, and sound study habits. As a community of learners, students are given opportunities to collaborate and explore. The ultimate goal is to cultivate and maximize each student’s unique talents and abilities.

STEM instruction continues at the middle school level through the Project Lead the Way program. Students either receive this instruction in tandem with their science course or as a separate class that focuses solely on a unique area of study in the STEM domain. STEM education helps children become more efficient problem solvers, and it encourages our students to take a hands-on approach to problem solving, active engagement in learning, finding solutions, developing intellectual curiosity, and a willingness to explore new ideas. In addition, STEM education promotes the development of critical thinking skills, as well as the development of skills that allow students to think analytically and critically about a variety of complex issues. These skills will serve our students well in high school and beyond.

Enrichment classes are a part of the middle school experience for Divine Savior’s students. For this reason, enrichment classes are part of every student's schedule. Students participate in a variety of classes that may include any of the following: art, music, physical education, Spanish, computers, and more. All of these enrichment classes help provide a comprehensive educational experience for our students.

Technology plays an important role in the middle school classroom learning environment at Divine Savior Academy. Our 1:1 iPad program and our campus-wide WiFi connects our students to valuable online resources in every class. Intentional integrations throughout the curriculum foster communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, and the development of 21st-century skills necessary for college and career readiness. Our faculty combines technology with learning assessments, allowing students flexibility and originality as they demonstrate their knowledge.

Divine Savior Academy also provides other opportunities for students to regularly interact using technology. Each classroom is equipped with an interactive digital display or projector, capable of displaying content from any device. Our robust network is set-up to provide students with a safe learning space, while offering access to a multitude of tools for research and innovation.

Middle school students participate in standardized testing through the NWEA Map Growth Assessment. These tests allow Divine Savior to assess our student’s academic achievement and growth throughout the school year. The tests are given three times throughout the year: Fall, Winter, and Spring. MAP Growth tests are given in the areas of reading, language usage, mathematics, and science. The MAP Growth tests allow parents to better understand their child’s achievement and growth, while providing valuable information to the classroom teachers. The data from these tests provide another opportunity for teachers to see their students’ areas of strength, while also gaining important information that provides opportunities for a child to grow in specific areas in order to help each student achieve their greatest potential.