The middle school student explores the foundational core of the Catholic Church’s teachings based on Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church and how these teachings can be applied in the daily lives of young adults. The students are invited to reflect on how Christ is inviting them to grow in a personal and more mature faith walk through personal and group prayer. Students will learn how to pray with Scripture in a form called “Lectio Divina” or Sacred Reading. They will be given opportunity for Eucharistic adoration, studying the examples of the lives of the Saints and for service to those in need in our community.

Seventh Grade (Confirmation Preparation)

In the 7th grade, the emphasis is on preparation for Confirmation for Catholics which may take place either in the 7th or 8th grade or later, depending on each student’s home parish. According to Diocesan guidelines, Catholic students preparing for Confirmation may do the academic classes at our school, but students and families register with their home parishes to participate in the parish Confirmation process as well. Each student will be confirmed in his/her own parish at the time that is scheduled in the parish.

This program includes basic teachings about the Catholic faith for both those students who will seek Confirmation and for those students of others faith in our school community. Topics included in this overview of the Catholic faith include: faith and the existence of God, God’s Plan of Salvation, Jesus in the Sacraments and specifically in the Mass, the Creed, personal prayer, chastity and purity, making moral decisions, confirmation and the gifts/fruits of the Holy Spirit, Mary and the Communion of Saints, Christian Service and the Roman Catholic Church.

Eighth Grade

In the 8th grade, students will continue to deepen their personal growth in understanding of the truth as taught in Scripture and in the Catholic faith. Emphasis will be on a review of the Creed and a deeper study of moral decision making based on the Ten Commandments as applied to the life of a teen today. The students will participate in a program called the Theology of the Body for Teens, the Middle School Edition. This program examines Catholic moral teaching on chastity and how one’s identity is rooted in the fact that we are all created in the image and likeness of God. The Theology of the Body for Teens is based on the teachings of the late Blessed John Paul II.

Sexual Morality Guidelines

Our school mission statement states, “The Good Shepherd Catholic Montessori is dedicated to providing an outstanding education to children ages three to fourteen in a Catholic atmosphere faithful to the Magesterium of the Church.”  In keeping with this mission, we look first to Church teachings for guidance in establishing guidelines for the conveyance of ideas and information regarding sexuality and sexual morality to our students and their families.

Click here for the schools Sexual Morality Guidelines, which are relevant not only to middle school religious education, but to the overall partnership of the school and the family.