Middle School 5-8
Northside Catholic Academy’s Middle School provides students in grades 5-8 with a challenging, comprehensive, and well-rounded curriculum that prepares them for success in high school and beyond. This is one of the few independently housed Middle Schools in Chicago.
Located two miles from our Primary School Campus, our Middle School is located in the West Rogers Park neighborhood at 7318 N. Oakley. Having two separate campuses allows for a deeper focus on the needs of adolescent-age students. We provide a safe and friendly environment that focuses on academic achievement, as well as personal development. Students switch classrooms and have individual lockers located in the hallways.
NCA’s curriculum aligns with the Common Core Standards and includes Spanish, Technology, Art, Music, and Physical Education. We also implement a STEAM philosophy into our technology curriculum across all grade levels in science, math, and art. We believe that this well-rounded approach to education provides students with the engaging, hands-on learning experience needed for our students to thrive and succeed in our rapidly changing world. It prepares them to think and act critically, creatively, and collaboratively; to work to the best of their ability; and to develop self-awareness, responsibility, and curiosity.
- Language Arts: Wonders Literacy Program with supplemental novel studies (5-6); Literature-based using an anthology and novel studies (7-8)
- Math: U of Chicago Everyday Math Program (5); New for 2021-2022 Connected Math Program 4 (6); Connected Math Program 3/Pre-Algebra Foundational Skills (7); Connected Math Program 3/Algebra Foundational Skills (8)
- Science: Hands-on Inquiry-Based Science Program
- Technology: Our Middle School technology curriculum includes the use of 3-D printers, a laser engraver, electrical circuitry, and drone technology. Students are 1:1 Chromebooks and use Google Classroom as the learning management system. All classrooms are equipped with interactive whiteboards or Viewsonic interactive touchscreen displays.
- Fine Arts: Middle School students also have a fine arts program that includes ballroom dancing, storytelling, drama, and improvisation.
Differentiated Instruction
Knowing that there are different learning levels within a class, we strive to develop skills in each child. Lessons are multi-leveled to promote success for all students. In addition, our teachers
use a variety of instructional strategies in their classrooms in order to meet the individual needs of their students. This differentiation may be in the content, activities, projects, use of ongoing assessment, or through flexible grouping. Teachers will also work with an individual student or small group to vary the teaching in order to create the best learning experience for the student.
Religion
Our goal is to help students grow in their relationship with God in age-appropriate ways. Along with character-building lesson plans, students participate in service projects, weekly mass and celebrate Catholic traditions. Our Catholic values are respected by people of all faiths and we welcome non-Catholic students.
Homework and Grades
Homework is given nightly Monday-Thursday, averaging 60-120, minutes including time allotted for studying for tests. Students also should be reading at least 15-20 minutes daily. Middle School students may have long-range assignments that need work on the weekends. Homework can include: written assignments, silent or oral reading practice, reviewing work covered in class, finishing class assignments, practicing Math facts, working on a book report or other long term project, studying for a test, or independent reading. Letter grades begin in third grade, but all students PreK-8 receive trimester report cards.
Come visit us at our Middle School at 7318 N. Oakley.