Overview

Beginning in 5th grade, middle school students have a rotating schedule and see different teachers for each subject. The day begins and ends in homeroom, which is a time to build executive functioning skills, set learning goals, and bond with classmates. On a typical school day, students have six classes of about 50 minutes and have daily recess before lunch. Students have nightly homework, especially in math and reading. In 7th and 8th grades, students attend single-sex classes, which promotes a sense of confidence and belonging.

Middle school students are sorted into one of four houses for friendly competition and human formation. Teachers award house points to promote virtuous behavior. Learn more about the House System here.

Why Single-Sex Classes in 7th and 8th?

There are no significant differences between the brains of boys and girls. But there are significant differences in the way boys and girls develop. — Leonard Sax MD PhD

For more than 20 years, St. Alphonsus Parish School has offered a single-sex middle school experience for students in grades 7 and 8. Our program provides a distinctive option for families who believe, as we do, that students at this stage of development gain confidence and are more motivated to excel when the social dynamics of a coeducational environment are reduced. Instruction is intentionally designed around the developmental needs of each class, resulting in a learning environment where students build confidence, participate more actively, and are encouraged to reach their full academic potential.

Best of Both Worlds

While most core classes like math, science, and humanities are single-sex, enrichment and extracurricular activities combine both boys and girls. Students benefit from a single-sex academic environment and a co-ed social atmosphere, which promotes healthy friendships and interactions.

Other Advantages We Witness

  • Girls learn to be more academically competitive; boys learn to be more collaborative.
  • Our teachers anticipate the typical classroom behavior and needs of a single-sex group and curate classroom procedures and culture to best serve our students.
  • More opportunities exist to deconstruct negative gender stereotypes and role model positive gender expression.
  • Standardized test scores for girls in math remain on par with their male peers throughout middle school.

MAP Scores

Like public schools, every school in the Archdiocese of Seattle participates in standardized MAP testing. Our students consistently outperform their public and Archdiocesan school peers in every category.

Preparing to Enter the “Great Conversation”

At St. Alphonsus, our students read great books to join the Great Conversation—discovering timeless ideas, heroic characters, and enduring truths. This list highlights many of the titles our 4th–8th graders explore, some in adapted editions. Teachers thoughtfully rotate selections each year to keep the reading experience rich, fresh, and full of wonder.

Environmental Education Camp

All 6th graders participate in a 3-day environmental education camp at Camp Hamilton. Here, they get to experience science through a Catholic lens using Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato si’ and the Next Generation Science Standards.

Environmental Education Camp goals:

  • Connect with their environment through scientific observation, investigations, and experiential immersion in this beautiful wilderness surrounding Lake Hannan.
  • Connect the Catholic faith to the natural world around them.
  • Develop a personal connection to God’s Creation.
  • Participate in cooperative learning groups and problem solving in a supportive community setting.