Middle School
GRADES 6–8
Prepared for what comes next.
St. Peter’s middle school offers a faith-based education that prepares students academically, spiritually, and personally for high school and beyond. With subject-area teachers and a departmentalized structure, students experience a high school-style environment while remaining in the close-knit community of St. Peter. Our graduates are consistently well-prepared for high school coursework, including advanced and accelerated classes.
CURRICULUM FOR GRADES 6–8
Connecting students to Christ while pursuing excellence.
We are passionately dedicated to the pursuit of educational excellence in a Christ-centered environment. Our curriculum enables students to courageously meet new challenges, joyfully serve, and develop a lifelong love for Jesus and others.
Religion
Faith formation deepens through a progression designed to help students own their faith. Sixth graders are introduced to Luther’s Small Catechism, exploring the Ten Commandments alongside readings in the Gospels. Seventh graders continue through the One in Christ series, reviewing Scripture and the foundations of Lutheran theology. Eighth graders complete a discipleship study, discover their spiritual gifts, and explore world religions.
Math
Math instruction in middle school is differentiated so every student is appropriately challenged. Students are placed into grade-level or accelerated courses based on their readiness, using the Sadlier Math curriculum. Students completing grade-level courses graduate well prepared for Algebra 1 as high school freshmen. Those in accelerated courses are positioned to enter sophomore-level mathematics.
English Language Arts
Using Hake’s Grammar & Writing, students develop mastery of grammar, punctuation, and writing, advancing from sentence mechanics through paragraph structure and basic essay form. Vocabulary is built systematically at every grade level through Sadlier workbooks. Through HMH Into Literature, students read a wide variety of classic short stories, poems, dramas, and novels that challenge their thinking and expand their understanding of the world.
Science
Middle school science follows the Next Generation Science Standards with an emphasis on doing science rather than simply learning it. Students investigate questions, design experiments, analyze data, and solve real problems across the Life, Physical, and Earth/Space sciences. The goal is always application, helping students connect what they learn in the classroom to their daily lives, their community, and the world God created.
Social Studies
Sixth graders explore world geography from prehistoric times through the Renaissance, building a broad global foundation. Seventh graders trace American history from European exploration through the Civil War. Eighth graders complete the story from the Civil War through modern times while developing the historical thinking skills to evaluate and interpret what they learn. All three grades use the McGraw-Hill curriculum.
Spanish
Spanish instruction begun in elementary school continues and deepens in middle school, with students building toward genuine communicative competence in grammar, vocabulary, and conversation. By 8th grade, students have developed a strong language foundation that prepares them for high school Spanish coursework.
Physical Education
Students have physical education five days a week. Middle school PE advances from fundamental movement skills toward team and individual sports, creative movement, and fitness concepts that equip students for an active lifestyle well beyond graduation. Every unit is grounded in the conviction that our bodies are a gift from God and worth caring for well.
Art
Middle school art builds on the core elements and principles of art through purposeful projects using a variety of media and techniques. Students are encouraged to express their unique creativity while developing a growing awareness of how art functions across different settings and contexts. The emphasis is always on thinking and making, not just producing a finished product.
Music
Students explore music performance, theory, history, and the technology used to create music. They study the instruments of the orchestra, significant composers, and classical listening, developing musical skills appropriate for their age and a genuine appreciation for music’s role in worship, culture, and daily life.
Meet our middle school teachers.
Ms. Sheryl Duff
6th Grade
Ms. Duff has been teaching middle school at St. Peter since 2010, bringing expertise that extends well beyond the classroom.
Mr. Curt Jungkuntz
7th & 8th Grade
Mr. Jungkuntz has spent his entire career in Lutheran education and has been part of the St. Peter community since 2003.
Mrs. Elizbieta Andriescu
ELA, Math, Physical Education
Mrs. Andriescu brings an international perspective to St. Peter’s middle school, teaching math and English since 2021.
Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing to transition your student to a new middle school can be complicated. These are the years that shape identity, deepen faith, and determine academic trajectory. We want you to feel completely confident in your decision.
Kid Care is also available on select non-school days, including Labor Day, the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve, Good Friday, and Memorial Day. Preregistration and a minimum of 10 students is required for holidays. Full holiday hours run 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Athletics. St. Peter Wildcats compete in three seasons—cross country and volleyball in the fall, basketball in the winter, and track and field in the spring. All are open to students in grades 5 through 8.
Music. The Sonshine choir is open to grades 3 through 8 and rehearses Tuesday afternoons, performing at weekend worship, school chapel, and special events throughout the year. Our band program serves grades 4 through 8 with three skill levels, group lessons, and solo contest preparation. No prior experience is necessary. Students are introduced to instruments and matched to the right fit at the start of the year.
Clubs. Lego club and chess club are both open through 8th grade, with beginners paired alongside experienced players.
Practice schedules, registration, and season details are distributed at the start of each season. See our Athletics and Activities page for more.
Take the next step.
The best way to experience St. Peter Lutheran School is to walk through our doors. Schedule a tour, meet our teachers, and discover a community where your child will be known, encouraged, and nurtured in faith from their very first day.
