Middle School (5th-8th)
Our middle school program is more than just preparation for high school. It's a transformational experience where our three pillars - Scholarship, Citizenship, and Leadership - are emphasized throughout these pivotal years.
Designed for Growth, Guided with Care
At St. Luke’s, we understand that middle school is a transformative time in a student’s life—a bridge between childhood and young adulthood. That’s why we’ve created an environment tailored specifically to the needs of 5th-8th graders. This is a place where students can grow, thrive, and explore while receiving the individual attention and encouragement they need during these critical years.
Our middle school program is intentionally designed to meet students where they are—academically, socially, and emotionally. With small class sizes and dedicated teachers who truly know and care about each child, we ensure that every student feels seen, supported, and challenged.
A Curriculum for Confidence and Exploration
Students can graduate from St. Luke's with up to four high school credits:
- Algebra - both on-grade and Honors (taught in 8th grade math)
- Geometry - offered to students who qualify (taught in 8th grade math)
- Integrated Physics and Chemistry (taught in 8th grade science)
- Foreign Language - either Spanish or Latin
Starting in 5th grade, Honors math is available to students who qualify, and continues through 8th grade, leading to 8th grade Honors Algebra and the possibility of Geometry.
In 5th grade, Spanish becomes a core subject. Students can take four years of Spanish, or change to Latin beginning in 7th grade.
Our English Language Arts program builds confident, thoughtful readers and purposeful writers through engagement with rich, meaningful texts, including classic and contemporary literature, poetry, informational texts, and Shakespeare. Through scaffolded, differentiated instruction that emphasizes close reading, critical thinking, and evidence-based writing, students develop strong analytical skills, organized writing across genres, and a lasting appreciation for literature as a way to understand themselves and the world.
5th Grade English
Fifth grade English centers on identity, courage, empathy, and self-discovery as students transition into middle school readers and writers. Using powerful anchor novels, students explore themes such as peer pressure, compassion, and creativity while strengthening their analytical reading, writing, and grammar skills. Poetry, short stories, and classic literature are woven thematically alongside each novel to deepen understanding and perspective.
Students read 3–5 novels, including Bridge to Terabithia and Number the Stars, along with supplemental stories, poetry, and informational texts.
6th Grade English
Sixth grade English challenges students to consider perseverance, empathy, aspiration, and the tension between individualism and community. Through carefully selected novels and paired informational and poetic texts, students examine adversity, friendship, family, and survival while continuing to refine their writing structure, grammar, and literary analysis. Students are encouraged to think critically about human behavior and personal growth.
Students read 3–5 novels, including Hatchet and Fish in a Tree, along with supplemental poems, short stories, and informational texts.
7th Grade English
Seventh grade English moves students into deeper literary analysis as they explore conflict between the individual and society, power dynamics, freedom, and historical awareness. Students engage with classic literature and Shakespeare while studying how authors use style, structure, and language to communicate complex ideas. Writing becomes more analytical and evidence-based as grammar and composition skills are reinforced.
Students read 3–5 novels, including Lord of the Flies and The Tempest, along with supplemental historical, poetic, and philosophical texts.
8th Grade English
Eighth grade English prepares students for high school-level thinking through literature that examines identity, justice, censorship, fate, and moral responsibility. Students analyze how literature reflects society while developing advanced writing, grammar, and discussion skills. Shakespeare returns as students tackle complex language and themes, strengthening their ability to interpret classic texts with confidence.
Students read 3–5 novels, including The Outsiders and Fahrenheit 451, along with supplemental poetry, short stories, and informational texts.
5th Grade Math:
Fifth grade math serves as a pivotal year in St. Luke’s mathematics program, solidifying the strong Singapore Math foundation established in elementary school. Students strengthen number sense and computational fluency while engaging deeply with visual models, structured problem solving, and mathematical reasoning. Emphasis is placed on understanding relationships among whole numbers, decimals, and fractions, allowing students to explain their thinking and approach problems flexibly rather than relying on memorized procedures. Through increasingly complex word problems, geometry, and measurement, students are challenged to persevere, reason logically, and develop confidence as independent mathematical thinkers. Both on-grade-level and Honors level classes are available.
6th Grade Math:
In 6th grade, students begin to transition from concrete strategies toward more abstract mathematical reasoning within a rigorous academic framework. Building on strong number sense, students explore ratios, rates, and rational numbers while developing early algebraic thinking through expressions, equations, and graphing. The curriculum challenges students to analyze problems, make connections across concepts, and justify their solutions with precision. With a strong emphasis on depth over speed, students engage in thoughtful discussion and problem solving that prepares them for the increased independence and complexity of pre-algebra. Both on-grade-level and Honors level classes are available.
7th Grade Math:
Seventh grade Pre-Algebra marks a significant shift toward formal algebraic thinking as students move beyond arithmetic into symbolic and relational mathematics. Rooted in conceptual understanding, the course emphasizes the structure of mathematics and helps students see how operations, equations, and linear relationships are connected. Students work extensively with real numbers, variables, and functions while applying their learning to geometry and data analysis. Through exploration, discussion, and challenging multi-step problems, students refine their ability to reason abstractly and approach unfamiliar problems with confidence and persistence. Both on-grade-level and Honors level classes are available.
8th Grade Math:
Algebra 1 at St. Luke’s reflects the culmination of a thoughtfully sequenced program that prioritizes mathematical understanding, independence, and intellectual rigor. Students engage deeply with functions, equations, inequalities, systems, and quadratic relationships, focusing on why algebraic methods work rather than memorizing steps. Students are challenged to model real-world situations, analyze patterns, and communicate mathematical ideas with clarity and precision. Through inquiry-driven lessons and meaningful applications, Algebra 1 students develop the critical thinking skills and conceptual foundation necessary for advanced mathematics and lifelong problem solving. Both on-grade-level and Honors level classes are available.
5th Grade Science:
Fifth Grade Science provides students with a comprehensive exploration of the natural world through inquiry-based learning. The year begins with the study of matter, where students examine its properties and distinguish between physical and chemical changes. Instruction then shifts to matter and energy in ecosystems, focusing on energy flow, food webs, and the interdependence of organisms. Students also explore Earth’s interactive systems—the atmosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere—and how they influence one another. The course concludes with a unit on space science, where students investigate lunar phases, the causes of seasons, and the apparent brightness and distance of stars.
6th Grade Science:
Earth science is the comprehensive study of our planet, encompassing its structure, processes, and place in the solar system, with key branches including geology (study of Earth's solid structure), oceanography (study of oceans), meteorology (study of the atmosphere and weather). It uses principles from physics, chemistry, and biology to understand dynamic processes like mountain building, volcanoes, earthquakes, climate change, and the formation of Earth itself.
7th Grade Science:
Life Science is a comprehensive study of living systems, spanning from the microscopic to the macroscopic level. Students examine major cell organelles and essential cellular processes, including cellular respiration, photosynthesis, osmosis, diffusion, and mitosis.
The course also provides an in-depth exploration of the structure and function of the human body systems. In the area of genetics, students learn to interpret, construct, and solve Punnett squares to analyze patterns of inheritance. The year concludes with a detailed study of the evidence supporting evolution, including the mechanisms of natural selection and selective breeding.
Students conclude 7th grade science with a notebook and resources that serve as a guide for advanced level Biology in High School.
8th Grade Science:
Integrated Physics and Chemistry is a comprehensive course designed to provide students with a strong foundation in the physical sciences. The year begins with a focus on chemistry, where students explore the states and properties of matter. They identify subatomic particles and learn to calculate atomic structure, charge, and mass. Students differentiate between ions and isotopes, develop proficiency in reading and interpreting the periodic table, and explain the patterns and organization of the Periodic Table of Elements. Instruction also includes chemical bonding, the classification of chemical reactions, and the analysis of energy transformations that occur during chemical processes.
During the second semester, the course shifts to physics concepts, beginning with the various forms of energy and the ways energy is transformed in everyday life. Students learn to distinguish between potential and kinetic energy within a system and investigate the principles of force and motion. They calculate speed, velocity, and acceleration, and interpret motion graphs with accuracy. The course concludes with an in-depth study and demonstration of Newton’s three laws of motion.
Integrated Physics and Chemistry is a High School credit and foundational course for High School Chemistry.
The 8th grade year at St. Luke's serves as a transitional year for our future graduates as they solidify their next step into High School. They leave St. Luke's well-rounded, articulate, resilient, and morally-responsible individuals. They have the courage to think independently, critically, and creatively. They graduate prepared, confident, and with the conviction needed to navigate the complex path through high school, college, and beyond.
The majority of St. Luke's graduates go on to San Antonio's top ISAS schools, including TMI, Saint Mary's Hall, and Keystone, while some go on to acclaimed public and magnet schools.
During their 8th grade year, we serve as their guides through the High School placement process, providing the students - and their parents - support as they take the next step.
In the 5th-8th grades at St. Luke’s, declamations are more than just speeches—they’re a reflection of our students’ growth as thinkers, researchers, and communicators. Beginning in 5th grade, students dive into research and information literacy, culminating in a 3-5 minute speech that demonstrates their ability to gather and share knowledge.
This journey continues in 6th grade with a World Religions class, where students deepen their research skills and present on a meaningful topic from their studies. In 7th grade, students step into the world of entrepreneurship and media literacy, producing their own podcast and presenting a declamation that highlights their insights. Finally, in 8th grade, students build on their American history studies and DC trip, crafting a research-based presentation with visuals that showcases their learning. In the spring of their 8th grade year, each 8th grader delivers a treasured Chapel Talk, recounting their time at St. Luke's and their own personal growth.
Declamations at St. Luke’s are a time-honored tradition that illustrate the confidence, critical thinking, and communication skills that are hallmarks of a St. Luke’s education. Through each year’s presentation, students celebrate their journey and growth, preparing them for a lifetime of articulate self-expression.
Expanding Learning Beyond the Classroom To bring learning to life, we’re introducing class grade-specific class trips for grades 5-8, connecting directly with academic themes and providing real-world experiences:
- 5th Grade: Skills Development trip to Camp Capers for teamwork and resilience.
- 6th Grade: Science-focused experience at Texas Tech University Center in Junction, Texas.
- 7th Grade: Outdoor learning experience at Duncan Park in Colorado, focusing on community and responsibility.
- 8th Grade: 8th graders will have two trips: A leadership retreat at Mustang Island and capstone trip to Washington, D.C., tying together their middle school journey.
These trips will deepen students’ understanding of core themes and foster independence, resilience, and class cohesion—building a foundation for success in high school and beyond.