Our middle school environment sharpens curiosity, builds discipline, and prepares students for their high school years. Every student is respected and supported as they test their limits and take on intellectual challenges, leadership opportunities and explore new interests. St. Patrick offers a High School Counseling program and our graduates attend outstanding Catholic, independent and public high school.
The curriculum in Grades 6, 7 and 8 is progressively challenging academically and it is designed to foster critical thinking, informed decision-making, sharpen research skills and engender collaboration.
- Choice of Spanish, Italian, Latin or Arabic as world language using Rosetta Stone in Grade 6-8
- A Community Service program in Grades 6-8
- Introduction of an iPad/tablet program
- Regents course offering: Algebra, Living Environment and Earth Science
- Stages on the Sound arts residency program: Grade 6-Playwriting; Grade 8-Shakespeare
- Lab Learner Program: an in-school STEM laboratory for physical, earth and life science experimental activities for Kindergarten through Grade 8 students. The 1st floor science room was converted into the Lab Learner space during the summer of 2017. A grant of $85,000 from the Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Trust funded the five station Lab Learner labs’ furniture and equipment; installation, curriculum and student workbooks, and professional development for teachers.
- Air conditioned classrooms
Art
Visual Art engages the mind, the eyes and the hands. At St. Patrick, art classes help students find their voices through drawing, painting and self-expression. Emphasis is placed on art appreciation, art history and cultural relevance. Grades 6 and 8 participate in an arts residency program, Stages on the Sound. Learn more at stagesonthesound.com.
Social Studies
Young people grow into responsible, involved citizens through a robust social studies curriculum. Our students delve into local, national and global history through project- and research-based, experiential learning. One such project–The Social Studies Wax Museum–gave students the opportunity to become an historical figure. After researching a chosen person and creating a costume, students became wax figures who sprang to life to share their biography with museum visitors.
Math
At St. Patrick we work to build in-depth understanding of concepts and promote critical thinking and real world applications. Grade 6, 7 and 8 students can work towards completing high school level Algebra 1 Regents by the end of 8th grade. Proficiency is sharpened through progressive and challenging class work.
Science
Science at St. Patrick is STEM-based and focuses on the science and engineering model of inquiry. Students take hands-on discovery lab classes using the Lab Learner program, which provides a 100% research-based, hands-on system of STEM learning and real-world applications of science concepts. Grades 6-8 science classes and labs are challenging. High school level Living Environment and Earth Science Regents classes offered in Grades 6, 7 and 8. STEM Science Olympics is held annually. The Olympics challenges teams of mixed grade students to work together to solve a series of STEM activities.
World Language
The world language program focuses on language proficiency and fluency using the Rosetta Stone application. Students in Grades 6-8 have the choice of several languages including Spanish, Arabic, Italian and Latin.
Physical Education and Athletics
Physical Education program instills a love of fitness and healthy living. Gym classes are age appropriate and focus on establishing and improving individual fitness skills, learning the rules of competition and teamwork. An active and fun complement to the classroom, Physical Education classes have taken up The Mighty Milers program to reinforce running skills. St. Patrick C.Y.O offers a dynamic athletics program for children of all ages.
English Language Arts
Our English Language Arts curriculum in Grades 6-8 is interdisciplinary, literature based and exposes students to a wide range of genres. Novels, biographies and autobiographies, non-fiction, short stories and poetry are all studied. Writing is emphasized and includes responsorial, creative, essay and research writing projects. Public speaking is also included in the Grades 6, 7 and 8 curricula.
Music
There is a long tradition of music at St. Patrick Catholic Academy. During the 1980s music teacher, Aldo Bruschi, and his students performed throughout the city including Carnegie Hall. Today’s music classes carry on that tradition by building and sharpening students vocal abilities, and honing their performance skills. Various presentations and pageants starring students take place throughout the school year. A Choir and an afterschool drama production are available.
Field Trips
We are very fortunate to live in the metropolitan New York City area, home to the worlds finest museums and cultural institutions. Field trips take advantage of the wealth of resources around us, enrich classroom learning, and expose young people to diverse experiences. Field trips in Grades 6-8 have included visits to museums, plays, movies among other educational opportunities. In 2016-2017, students visited the 9/11 Memorial, Madame Toussads Wax Museum, Greenwood Cemetery, Theatreworks at the College of Staten Island.
Library
Centered around reading areas with comfortable seating, the library is a reading oasis. Its shelves hold books and materials for all ages and includes fiction, non-fiction and reference literature. A media center is equipped with tablets for reading and research. The quiet space is open during lunch and after school; classes use the library throughout the day. The library was renovated during the 2016-2017 school year.