2025/2026 Course catalog

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7th and 8th GRADE ENGLISH

Grade(s): 7 & 8

The 7th and 8th Grade English courses will be separated into two independent courses, with differing book selections. The purpose of both courses is for the student, through the reading and discussion of great stories and poems, to become a more proficient and analytical reader. The reading list will consist of literary works that are excellent in both their literary form and their moral values at a level that is appropriate and challenging for each grade level. 

LITERATURE STUDIES

Open to grades 9-12

The goal of this course is to improve the student’s ability to understand and appreciate literature. As we read and analyze classic works of poetry and prose, we’ll focus on comprehension, writing skills, and vocabulary. Our vocabulary studies will be based on Greek and Latin roots. The course will feature class discussion, quizzes, tests, essays, poetry memorization, and lots of reading.

HISTORICAL LITERARY ANALYSIS 

Grade(s): Intended for Grade 10 

Open to grades 9-12

The Historical Literary Analysis class, we will cover essays, short stories, novels, plays, and poetry. The focus is on great works of literature that address interesting historical-political topics. Some authors that will be read in this class include Rudyard Kipling, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, C. S. Lewis, and G. K. Chesterton. The course will include classroom discussions, tests, and writing assignments.

CLASSICAL LITERATURE

Grade(s): Intended for Grade 11 

Open to grades 10-12

This course begins with a quick survey of Greek mythology and continues through works by Homer, Sophocles, Virgil, and St. Augustine. The emphasis will be on close reading of the texts, class discussion, and analytical writing. Through these studies, students will gain a greater understanding of the foundations of Western literature and culture. The course will include quizzes, tests, and essays.

ADVANCED LITERATURE 

Grade(s): Intended for Grade 12

Open to grades 10-12

In the Advanced Literature class, we will cover short stories, novels, plays, and poetry. The focus is on great works of hagiographical literature. Some authors that will be read in this class include Mark Twain, Sigrid Undset, T. S. Eliot, and Evelyn Waugh. The course will include classroom discussions, tests, and writing assignments. In addition to this, students will have the opportunity to learn how to write their own short stories.

GRAMMAR & VOCABULARY STUDIES

Grade(s): Intended for Grades 7-9

Open to grades 7-12

In this class, we’ll study English grammar, usage, mechanics, and vocabulary. We’ll cover the parts of speech, sentence structure, punctuation, capitalization, common errors in writing, etc. Our vocabulary studies will focus on the Greek and Latin roots commonly found in English words. These studies will deepen the student’s understanding of the English language and strengthen his or her ability to speak, write, and think with clarity. The class will include written exercises, quizzes, and tests. 

This class is a supplemental course, it is not considered an English credit.  

MIDDLE SCHOOL RELIGION

Grade(s): Intended for Grades 7-8

Open to grades 7-8

Our middle school religion course is a preparation course for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Students will study the doctors of the church, Works of Mercy, Gifts of the Holy Spirit, in addition to other important pillars of the Catholic Faith. This two-year course will use the curriculum Faith and Life, in conjunction with the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the study of influential Saints, to build a strong foundation and understanding of the Catholic Faith prior to their Confirmation.

For students who attend Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church, this course will meet the requirements of preparation for Confirmation. Students who attend other parishes will need to contact their Director of Religious Education to determine if any additional requirements will need to be met. SJBS will provide any information requested. 

SALVATION HISTORY

Grade(s): Intended for Grade 9

Open to grades 8-12

The goal of this course is to teach students how Sacred Scripture is the foundation for understanding the Catholic Faith. Along with the Holy Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, we will use a textbook written by Dr. Scott Hahn. 

From the Midwest Theological Forum:  “This text examines Divine Revelation, presenting Sacred Scripture as the inspired Word of God unveiled gradually throughout the history of salvation.  It examines how the Magisterium of the Church transmits the Deposit of Faith infallibly and how our understanding of God's Revelation leads us to a more intimate relationship with the three Persons of the Blessed Trinity in this life and to eternal life in Heaven.  It also explains how to read the Bible, emphasizing how the New Testament in Christ fulfills the covenants and promises that God made with his people in the Old Testament."  

APOLOGETICS 

Grade(s): Intended for Grade 10

Open to grades 9-12

This two-semester course aims to provide a better understanding of Church teaching and while strengthening spiritual faithfulness facing young Catholics in the modern world. The readings and videos recall the history of defending one’s faith over time, examining the centrality of the Eucharist, and all the Sacraments as and the power of prayer. Assignments include short reflective essays and group discussion. The course provides practical steps in applying Catholic social teaching to the challenges facing teens preparing for college and career. Each student will prepare a personal action plan as a guide for continuing to practice their faith as young adults.

CATHOLIC DOCTRINE: FAITH AND MORALS

Grade(s): Intended for Grade 11

Open to grades 10-12

The purpose of this class is to lay a solid foundation of knowledge of the Catholic Faith and of what our conduct must be if we are to grow in holiness. We will cover the intellect and the will, the Blessed Trinity, creation, angels, original sin, our redemption through Christ, the mystery of suffering, the Blessed Virgin Mary, actual and sanctifying grace, heaven, hell, purgatory, the sources of Faith, our duties toward God, ourselves, and our neighbors, the elements of a moral act, conscience, temptation, virtue, etc. The class will feature quizzes, tests, short writing assignments, and plenty of discussion. 

SPIRITUAL CLASSICS (2 Credit Course)

Grade(s): Intended for Grade 12

Open to grades 11-12

In this course we will delve into the great works of the spiritual masters, many of them declared Doctors of the Church. Through their writings we will learn about and explore different types of prayer and how to practice it, the scriptural history and deep meaning of the Eucharist, the stages of the spiritual life, contemplation and mysticism, the importance of spiritual friendships, building a foundation for a moral life, etc. We will read the poetry of St John of the Cross, the timeless advice from St Teresa of Avila, explore the Little Way of St Therese of Lisieux, the sage wisdom for the laity from St Francis de Sales, the miraculous conversion of St Augustine, the lessons of moral theology from St Alphonsus de Liguori and so many more! This course explores more advanced theological concepts of the Catholic Faith. Students will examine how to build a foundation for a moral life through the writings of the greatest saints in the Church. Due to the heavy focus on literature and writing, this course may count towards both a theology credit and literature credit.

LIFE SCIENCE (7th Grade)

Grade(s): Intended for Grade 7

Open to grades 7-8

This full-year middle school course focuses on introducing students to the building blocks of life, the diversity of life from bacteria to animals, and how organisms interact with each other and their environment. The course includes an overview of scientific principles and procedures and leads students toward a clearer understanding of cells and heredity, the five kingdoms, human body systems, and ecology. As students refine and expand their understanding of life science, they will apply their knowledge in investigations that require them to ask questions and explore the world around them. Throughout the course, students will also solve problems, reason abstractly, and learn to think critically.

PHYSICAL SCIENCE (8th Grade)

Grade(s): Intended for Grade 8

Open to grade 8 

Prerequisite: must have completed Pre-Algebra

The 8th grade physical science course is intended to prepare your students for the rigor of high school level college preparatory science courses. In this course, students will explore an entire year of chemistry, physics, earth science, and scientific research. Students will work through 15 different modules, with a laboratory write-up and test following each module, through bi-weekly laboratory experiments. In addition, students will learn and be expected to document the scientific method while completing their lab exercises. At the conclusion of this course, students should have a firm knowledge of the building blocks of chemistry, physics and earth science in addition to the ability to plan, execute, and document a scientific experiment. The class will move quickly with the introduction of a new module every two weeks. Students can expect to have roughly 3-4 hours of homework per a week.

EARTH SCIENCE

Grade(s): Intended for Grade 9

Open to grades 9-12

From earthquakes and volcanoes to clouds and galaxies, show your child the features of God’s Creation here on earth as well as the Great Beyond with Science: Earth and Space! This course guides your student through a study of geology, oceanography, meteorology, astronomy, and environmental science. A thorough study of rocks, soil, and fossils will give your student a solid foundation in the study of our Earth.

BIOLOGY WITH LAB

Grade(s): Intended for Grade 9

Open to grades 9-12

Prerequisite: must have completed Pre-Algebra

Church teaching and the wonder of God’s Creation are emphasized in this high school Biology with Lab course. The engaging and unique pedagogy begins with Botany, capturing the students’ interest with an in-depth study of the familiar and ending with the awe-inspiring wonder of the last unit, Cytology. Dissections and microscope work will be completed throughout the year, along with other hands-on activities to increase understanding and aid retention of the material.

The A Beka Biology materials are used in this course.  It is written from a literalist Protestant point of view. A section written from a Protestant view of the Reformation is omitted (and/or corrected). Evolution/Creation is taught according to Church teaching, and the students read Humani Generis, the encyclical on evolution. This beautifully written, pro-life book gives credit to our Creator throughout. In the Human Anatomy & Physiology unit, students are reminded that we are made in God’s image, and that we are different from other creatures by virtue of our immortal souls. This textbook lays the groundwork for the students to understand the teachings of Humani Vitae when they encounter it later in their lives.

There is one section of Biology. It meets on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

CHEMISTRY WITH LAB

Grade(s): Intended for Grade 10

Open to grades 9-12

Prerequisite: must have completed Algebra 1

Hands-on learning is emphasized in this high school Chemistry with Lab course. All typical high school-level Chemistry topics will be presented, and many typical labs will be completed.

There is one section of Chemistry. It meets on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

PHYSICS

Grade(s): Intended for Grade 11-12

Open to grades 10-12

Prerequisite: must have completed Algebra 2

This year-long course, designed to teach students about the workings of the physical world and how to explain, describe, and predict the same, using mathematics. We’ll cover kinematics, force, momentum, energy, gravitation, periodic motion, electricity, basic circuitry, magnetism, and electromagnetic interaction.  As time permits, we may also discuss additional topics in wave mechanics, optics, sound, material science, and modern physics.  This course will include occasional laboratory experiments, graded largely in terms of clarity of communication in lab reports.

NUTRITIONAL SCIENCE

Grade(s): Intended for Grade 11-12

Open to grades 9-12

Nutritional science examines the impact of nutrition and food on health and disease throughout the lifespan. This is the science behind how food powers our bodies, prevents disease, and brings communities together. Course topics include nutritional biology and metabolism, food science and safety, disease, and nutrition assessment. This course aims to provide an in-depth understanding of how nutrition and exercise impact health and will equip students with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their diet and lifestyle. This interactive class can help students develop healthy habits that they can carry into adulthood.