Sixth Grade

Unlike many other private, parochial, and public schools, St. Paul’s School features sixth grade as a transition year. This unique program still uses the homeroom structure of elementary school with many of the responsibilities and requirements of middle school. St. Paul’s has two homeroom teachers, one who specializes in math/science and the other in humanities, and a shared intern. The students work with specialists in Spanish, art, computers, music, and physical education. The curriculum includes cross-disciplinary studies, several field trips featuring a multi-day trip to Gualala, service learning, and cross-grade activities. Sixth graders perform at concerts and events in the Sixth Grade Choir. Like all other grades, sixth graders lead Chapel twice each year.

Sixth graders receive letter grades each quarter and written evaluations following the second and fourth quarters. Each spring, they take the Educational Records Bureau (ERB) test as an independent evaluation of student progress. Sixth graders may also participate in competitive athletics.

Following is a brief list of content items in the sixth grade curriculum:

• Connect literature to social studies: cultural universals and ancient civilizations in literature

• Write effective paragraphs, essays, and stories

• Introduction to archaeological methodology and ethics

• Two-dimensional geometry

• Use words and equations to explain why and how in math and science

• Nutrition and digestion

• Physics of motion

• Oral and written presentations in Spanish

• Typing

• Art of ancient civilizations: cave art, Egypt, and Greece

• Rhythm study on conga drums

• Use basic offensive and defensive skills in team sports