Middle School

We offer two blocks of English instruction each day. One class addresses ELA with an emphasis on grammar, including parts of speech, sentence structure, punctuation, and vocabulary. With an understanding of correct grammar, students are able to clearly convey their thoughts through their writing. Additionally, through literature, students are exposed to a variety of authors and literary genres.

In our religion classes, we journey through Salvation History starting with how the Bible is put together. Then, we walk through the Old Testament starting with Genesis and ending with the Wisdom Books. We explore who God is in the Blessed Trinity. We come to understand Creation and the uniqueness of the human person. We learn what it means to love as God calls us through two personal loving communions.

In social studies, we learn about ancient civilizations through the Middle Ages in 6th Grade. Beginning with the Rennaissance, the 7th graders continue world history up through modern times. The 8th graders cover American history from a South Carolina perspective. We use plenty of primary sources from the topics we are studying and do various types of projects throughout the year.

In their science classes, students learn about God’s design and the great wonders of our Earth.  Students explore our planet by studying plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, atmosphere, water cycle, oceanography, weather, climate, and energy resources. Living organisms, the processes needed for life, genetics, adaptations, the human body, and ecology are other areas of focus. In their final year, our students discover how physical science plays a role in our lives.  They learn about atoms, chemical reactions, energy transformation, forces and motion, physics, and alternative energy. Every week, each grade level receives a new challenge in our brand new, state-of-the-art STEM Lab. In this weekly class, our students work on a range of projects such as flying drones and comic illustrations.

We provide the mathematics program for 5-8 grade which adheres to the standards of both the Diocese of Charleston and State of South Carolina. With instruction in small-sized classes, our students perform well on standardized tests, as well as high-school readiness.  For those students who demonstrate readiness, Algebra I is offered and is considered a high school class.

Our students receive Spanish instruction throughout their entire time at Divine Redeemer.  It is an introductory program that makes communication in Spanish a natural, personalized, enjoyable and rewarding experience. It is also designed to help students attain a desirable level of proficiency in four basic skills – speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Once our students reach eighth grade, they practice basic grammar and vocabulary with emphasis on conversation. Verb study, speaking and writing proficiency are stressed. Spanish/Spanish American culture and geography are also a part of this course. Eighth grade students that maintain certain academic requirements may qualify for high school Spanish I credit. Most of our students excel with honors on the National Spanish Exam.