Curriculum Guided by Passion, Purpose, and Possibility
As an independent school in Colorado and proud member of the Association of Colorado Independent Schools (ACIS), we have the freedom—and the responsibility—to design a curriculum that meets the unique needs of our students and reflects the values of our community. Free from the constraints of standardized state mandates, our educators are empowered to shape dynamic, integrated learning experiences that nurture curiosity, critical thinking, character, and creativity.
This autonomy doesn’t mean we teach in isolation. Our curriculum is grounded in proven best practices, informed by current research, and enriched by the expertise and passion of our faculty. Teachers are not simply delivering content—they are co-creators of learning journeys that honor the whole child. We set high academic standards while fostering a culture of belonging and deep connection.
The result? A purposeful and personalized education that equips students not only with strong academic foundations, but also with the resilience, empathy, and adaptability they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Choosing an independent school is an investment in your child’s future—a choice that reflects the value you place on meaningful relationships, joyful discovery, and the freedom to learn beyond the test. Here, curriculum isn’t dictated—it’s inspired.
Explore the options below to dive more deeply into the subjects and topics offered at each grade level.
-
Eighth Grade Math
There are three math classes for each grade in middle school: two grade-level classes and one advanced class.
We place students upon their entrance into middle school using both qualitative and quantitative data, and we periodically review placement, especially during the 6th-grade year.
Grade-Level Math Classes Progression:
- 8th Grade: Algebra I
Advanced Math Classes Progression:
- 8th Grade: Geometry
-
Eighth Grade PE
Students are given opportunities to participate in activities that encourage fitness, sportsmanship, and the development of leadership.
- They learn about biomechanical principles that apply to the development of movement skills.
- Students are taught how to identify and describe the risks and safety factors associated with regular physical activity.
- They are presented with challenging experiences that allow them to transfer and apply these principles to individual, dual, and team sports, as well as fitness endeavors.
The core focus of physical education is to foster an appreciation for the value of being physically educated. By doing so, students are encouraged to make informed choices in their future to remain active and fit throughout their lives.
-
Eighth Grade Religion
8th Grade Religion Curriculum: Contemplative Practices and Big Questions
Overview
Having developed familiarity with a variety of world religions, students now turn to practice and application. They are introduced to contemplative practices from each religion (meditation, chanting, forms of prayers, etc.) as well as to practices from a secular world (stillness, mindfulness, journaling, nature walks, reading, conversation, etc.). These practices become ways to weather stress, navigate transitions, and look deeper into oneself.Essential Questions
Throughout the year, we will also discuss the following questions:- What is religion?
- Why are there different religions?
- What role can religion play in peace-building and prosperity of the world?
- Faith, doubt, and certainty
- The question of God
- The relationship between science and religion
- Significance of scriptures and ritual
- Existence of suffering and evil
- Service, hope, and Gospel values
Personal Reflection Questions
On a personal level, students will ask:
- Should I be religious?
- What is my spiritual heritage?
- What is theology?
- Where am I going in life and what will sustain me on the journey?
- What is my purpose?
- What guides me?
- How will I make meaning?
- What is a good life?
- What is a good life for me?
Culminating Project
The course will conclude with students writing:- Personal essays
- Letters to people who have impacted their lives
-
Eighth Grade World Language
We want our students to feel confident communicating in an all-Spanish or all-French environment (target-language environment) and to become lifelong language enthusiasts. To achieve this, we strive to create a high-interest, supportive classroom environment in which students acquire the language (as opposed to simply learning about the language).
We want students to:
- Take ownership of their learning
- Show their understanding
- Use Spanish/French for authentic communication
- Be curious and globally-minded about people and cultures
- Feel secure enough to take risks
Students will be immersed in an environment that maximizes language acquisition. Instead of self-contained lessons on vocabulary topics, students engage with input in naturally occurring contexts on topics of interest to them.
For example, instead of teaching a unit of vocabulary about cities, the class has a conversation about their favorite places, why they are their favorites, and more. Other previously learned words naturally occur in that context as well, providing students with added exposure and repetition.
The goal is to explore topics in the context of authentic communication.
-
Eighth Grade Science
Middle school science is an integration of physical, life, and earth sciences. The cornerstone of our science courses is the many hands-on, minds-on labs, activities, and projects held in small groups in our well-equipped science classrooms.
Students learn how to incorporate scientific thinking in both inquiry-based learning and traditional lectures. Assessments are given on a regular basis and include:
- Written tests/quizzes
- Online tests/quizzes
- In-class and virtual labs
- Projects
Units of study in 8th-grade science include:
- Science and engineering practices
- Cells and genetics
- Sound and light
- Chemistry
-
Eighth Grade Advanced Math
The advanced 8th-grade math class at St. Anne’s Episcopal School is designed to be the equivalent of a full high school geometry course. Teachers employ a variety of strategies aimed at the different learning modalities, including kinesthetic, visual, and auditory. Students collaborate on a daily basis to work towards solutions using simple and complex scenarios.
The curriculum is somewhat traditional, involving multiple resources and platforms, including, but not limited to:
- SAES Interactive Geometry Series (2024)
- Big Ideas High School Geometry (2015)
- IXL
- DESMOS
- Kuta Software
- Tailored labs, tasks, challenges, and worksheets
While individual growth and accountability are paramount, students regularly engage in projects and other applications that require higher-order thinking strategies and collaborative efforts. Through these tasks, students develop their understanding of the various uses (and misuses) of math skills in the real world.
They have numerous encounters with both gathering and interpreting data in order to recognize and/or avoid the use of numbers to marginalize individuals and groups.
The 8th-grade math team endeavors to challenge students to problem-solve, collaborate, and apply mathematical skills to the real world while preparing them for the academic rigors of high school, where many advanced students will begin with an Algebra II or Algebra II with Trigonometry course.
-
Eighth Grade English
English 8 serves as a bridge between the workshop model utilized in 6th and 7th grades and the whole-class approach favored by high school English departments. Students will enter high school confident in their ability to read, write, speak, and self-advocate.
Students engage with each other through the common reading of specific novels, short stories, plays, and poetry. Through close reading, active discussion, and query, students develop:
- Annotation and inference skills
- The ability to support their contentions with text-based evidence
- Confidence in participating within a group setting
The texts also serve to introduce students to new vocabulary. An emphasis is placed on using context clues to infer word meaning. Additionally, students analyze how authors use themes, setting, and figurative language to develop characters and perspectives and, ultimately, speak to the human condition.
The primary focus of writing in 8th-grade English is the 5-paragraph analytical essay. Specifically, students master:
- Structure
- The crafting of a strong, provable thesis
- The use of text-based evidence to support their argument
The importance of revision as a critical step in the writing process is emphasized.
The study of grammar includes:
- Mastery of the parts of speech
- The function and use of phrases and clauses
- An exploration of sentence type and structure using mentor sentences
Students also focus on writing mechanics, including the proper use of commas, capitalization, and in-text citations.
-
Seventh Grade Math
There are three math classes for each grade in middle school: two grade-level classes and one advanced class.
We place students upon their entrance into middle school using both qualitative and quantitative data, and we periodically review placement, especially during the 6th-grade year.
Grade-Level Math Classes Progression:
- 7th Grade: Pre-Algebra
Advanced Math Classes Progression:
- 7th Grade: Algebra I
-
Seventh Grade PE
Students are given opportunities to participate in activities that encourage fitness, sportsmanship, and the development of leadership.
- They learn about biomechanical principles that apply to the development of movement skills.
- Students are taught how to identify and describe the risks and safety factors associated with regular physical activity.
- They are presented with challenging experiences that allow them to transfer and apply these principles to individual, dual, and team sports, as well as fitness endeavors.
The core focus of physical education is to foster an appreciation for the value of being physically educated. By doing so, students are encouraged to make informed choices in their future to remain active and fit throughout their lives.
-
Seventh Grade Religion
7th Grade Religion Curriculum: Ethics from a Variety of Perspectives
In 7th grade, the curriculum delves into the study of ethics as a branch of philosophy. The focus is on exploring the foundational questions: What is right and wrong? What is good and evil? What is our responsibility to others? How should we make ethical decisions?
The course begins by examining different philosophical approaches to ethics, including:
- Aristotle’s Virtue Ethics: This theory focuses on developing good character traits and virtues, emphasizing the importance of acting in accordance with reason and seeking a balanced life.
- Kant’s Deontology: Kant’s ethical framework argues that actions should be judged based on whether they adhere to rules or duties, regardless of the outcomes.
- Utilitarianism: This ethical theory suggests that the right course of action is the one that maximizes overall happiness or well-being for the greatest number of people.
Following the philosophical foundations, the course shifts to religious ethics. Students examine how major religious traditions shape moral codes, exploring ethics from the following perspectives:
- Christian Ethics
- Jewish Ethics
- Muslim Ethics
- Buddhist Ethics
- Hindu Ethics
- Indigenous Ethics
- Humanist Ethics
- Atheist Ethics
- Secular Ethics
Through discussions on ethical dilemmas, such as common situations faced by young people, dilemmas in health, science, and business, students reflect on how different ethical systems influence decisions. These case studies provide practical opportunities for students to apply ethical thinking in real-world contexts.
The course is guided by a code of ethics that the students collaboratively develop, encouraging respectful discourse and a safe space for diverse viewpoints. This collective code acts as a framework for navigating ethical discussions throughout the year.
The final project involves formulating personal ethics, where each student reflects on their own moral beliefs, their ethical influences, and how they can apply their ethics in everyday life. Students consider how they can act ethically in different environments, both at St. Anne’s and at home.
Throughout the year, the course emphasizes:
- Practicing moments of silence and gratitude to cultivate mindfulness and self-awareness.
- Building positive relationships and understanding how ethical decisions impact personal and community dynamics.
- Observing how ethics emerge in real-world spaces and interactions.
By the end of the course, students will have a deeper understanding of various ethical perspectives and the tools to formulate and apply their own personal ethics, grounded in their values and the diverse ethical systems explored in the class.
-
Seventh Grade World Language
We want our students to feel confident communicating in an all-Spanish or all-French environment (target language environment) and to become lifelong language enthusiasts. To achieve this, we strive to create a high-interest, supportive classroom environment in which students acquire the language (as opposed to simply learning about the language).
We want students to:
- Take ownership of their learning
- Show their understanding
- Use Spanish/French for authentic communication
- Be curious and globally-minded about people and cultures
- Feel secure enough to take risks
Students will be immersed in an environment that maximizes language acquisition. Instead of self-contained lessons on vocabulary topics, students engage with input in Spanish or French in naturally occurring, personalized contexts.
For example, students might look at images of kids at school in target cultures. Throughout that conversation, they acquire words and phrases related to clothing, dress codes, and the school calendar, as well as compare their own experience with that of peers in target cultures.
By engaging with personalized topics and in the context of authentic communication, students acquire new words and also recycle old ones.
-
Seventh Grade Science
Seventh-grade social studies takes a chronological approach to studying the history of the world through a critical lens. Through this course, students study the impact of geography, culture, and religion on particular areas and time periods.
The seventh-grade curriculum builds on knowledge by comparing and contrasting cultures and by examining the causes and effects of events. Students are expected to be knowledgeable of world events and to create connections between the past and modern day. To do this, they analyze past events and make relevant connections to today.
At the same time, seventh graders are expected to:
- Think critically
- Ask questions
- Appreciate diverse opinions
We want our students to be able to reflect and advocate, while being knowledgeable of historical events and their impact on today's society.
To help support this goal of advocacy, seventh graders are required to complete weekly current events assignments, in which they summarize a current event and reflect on its significance.
Our theme for the year: We investigate the past to inform the future.
Work done in seventh-grade social studies is often paired with the seventh-grade English curriculum.
-
Seventh Grade Advanced Math
Topics Covered:
- Single Variable Equations and Inequalities
- Linear Equations and Inequalities
- Systems of Equations
- Quadratic Equations and Inequalities
- Polynomials
- Functions
Advanced 7th-grade and/or grade-level 8th-grade Math is a full Algebra I course that includes a comprehensive exploration of linear and quadratic functions. Teachers employ a variety of strategies aimed at different learning modalities, including kinesthetic, visual, oral, and aural. Students collaborate on a daily basis in solving simple and complex problems.
The curriculum is traditional and is based on the McDougal-Littell textbook series written by Larson et al. However, most assignments come from other resources, including IXL, math puzzles, and tailored worksheets. Interactive competitive games are often played to reinforce skills.
Students engage in projects that require higher-order thinking skills and collaboration. An example of this is their annual participation in the Stock Market Experience, where inter-class groups collaborate to invest a hypothetical $100,000 in equities and bonds. Their investments follow those markets in real time. Students learn not only about compounding and the time-value of money, but also about key financial concepts such as wealth, capital, and earnings.
Students also explore how mathematics is used and misused in the real world. They learn how graphs can be interpreted and misinterpreted, and that this can lead to the marginalization of individuals and groups.
Most students progress to a geometry or accelerated geometry course in high school. The 8th-grade math team endeavors to challenge students to problem-solve, collaborate, and apply mathematical skills to the real world while preparing them for the academic rigors of high school.
-
Seventh Grade English
Students in 7th-grade English work in a blended workshop model. Whether we are focused on reading or writing, you will see it almost every day in our classroom. The graph to the left demonstrates a typical day in English class.
In the reader's workshop, students are reading self-selected novels in small groups. In the writer's workshop, students are independently writing with the guidance of a teacher and partner.
However, because it’s important to build community through literature, we also read “touchstone texts,” which are shared texts that the class reads together. In 7th grade, these include poems, short stories, plays, and novellas. Sometimes, the shared experience will be teacher-directed read-alouds; other times, students will read independently and explore the touchstone text through discussions and written responses.
The blended workshop model is a way to create INDEPENDENT and CONFIDENT readers and writers.
The writing units of study are meant to bolster students’ confidence and fluency in writing. 7th graders engage in literary analysis and argument, incorporating quotations and intertwining narrative and academic writing into thoughtful personal response letters. They hone narrative and descriptive writing skills through telling both fictional and personal stories as well as by writing poetry.
7th graders learn grammar in context, focusing on understanding grammar through their reading and applying grammar skills in their writing.
The reading units of study are meant to shape critical readers who not only have strong reading fluency but also pause throughout the text to annotate and analyze literary elements such as setting, theme, character development, and symbolism.
Students develop independent reading habits through goal setting and determining reading schedules. They demonstrate their critical thinking about literature through note-taking, presentations, and discussions along with short written and creative responses. Reading units focus on genre studies and teach the skills necessary to read within a particular genre.
-
Sixth Grade Math
There are three math classes for each grade in middle school: two grade-level classes and one advanced class.
We place students upon their entrance into middle school using both qualitative and quantitative data, and we periodically review placement, especially during the 6th-grade year.
Grade-Level Math Classes Progression:
- 6th Grade: Foundations for Algebra
Advanced Math Classes Progression:
- 6th Grade: Pre-Algebra
-
Middle School Innovations and Design Thinking
This class is designed to help each student become an expert in working as an Engineer, Scientist, Innovator, and Technologist to solve real-world authentic problems. Students follow the Design Thinking Process to create prototypes and solutions to address global and local phenomena.
Units of Study Include:
- Design Thinking in Our Local Community
- Green Energy and Sustainable Living
- Space and Time in Our Future
Throughout this course, students develop critical thinking skills, creativity, and a deeper understanding of how design and innovation can impact the world around them. They will be encouraged to explore practical, sustainable, and futuristic solutions to challenges facing our community and beyond.
-
Middle School Drama
Students learn musical skills from reading music to playing an instrument. This class culminates in a musical performance.
- The fall class plays at Grandparents and Friends Day before Thanksgiving Break.
- The spring class plays in the Spring Concert.
6th-Grade Music
- Students get hands-on with instruments, learning while implementing notes and chords through beginner-level pop songs to classical repertoire.
7th-Grade Music
- Students build on instrument and music theory knowledge, focusing on multiple instruments and musical concepts.
- They use more advanced notes and chords through intermediate-level pop songs to classical repertoire.
- Performance and artist presentations provide a capstone for the year.
8th-Grade Music
- Students continue building on instrument and music theory knowledge, focusing on multiple instruments and musical concepts.
- They use more advanced notes and chords through intermediate-level pop songs to classical repertoire.
-
Middle School Music
Students learn musical skills from reading music to playing an instrument. This class culminates in a musical performance.
- The fall class plays at Grandparents and Friends Day before Thanksgiving Break.
- The spring class plays in the Spring Concert.
6th-Grade Music
- Students get hands-on with instruments, learning while implementing notes and chords through beginner-level pop songs to classical repertoire.
7th-Grade Music
- Students build on instrument and music theory knowledge, focusing on multiple instruments and musical concepts.
- They use more advanced notes and chords through intermediate-level pop songs to classical repertoire.
- Performance and artist presentations provide a capstone for the year.
8th-Grade Music
- Students continue building on instrument and music theory knowledge, focusing on multiple instruments and musical concepts.
- They use more advanced notes and chords through intermediate-level pop songs to classical repertoire.
-
Middle School Art
Students explore many media in this studio art class, including drawing, painting, ceramics, and more. The art skills a student learns from 6th grade to 8th grade may vary based on the curriculum, the specific art classes offered, and the teaching methods employed. However, during these middle school years, students typically:
- Build on foundational skills
- Explore a wider range of artistic techniques and concepts
The middle school years serve as a crucial period for students to build a strong foundation in various art skills, setting the stage for more specialized and advanced studies in high school and beyond. Art education during these years often emphasizes both technical proficiency and the development of a student’s creative and expressive capabilities.
-
Sixth Grade PE
The ultimate goal of St. Anne’s physical education program is to engage students in developmentally appropriate movement experiences that focus on both learning to move and learning through movement. This program emphasizes a healthy, active lifestyle while promoting safe and cooperative physical activity practices.
Students are given opportunities to participate in activities that encourage fitness, sportsmanship, and the development of leadership.
- They learn about biomechanical principles that apply to the development of movement skills.
- Students are taught how to identify and describe the risks and safety factors associated with regular physical activity.
- They are presented with challenging experiences that allow them to transfer and apply these principles to individual, dual, and team sports, as well as fitness endeavors.
The core focus of physical education is to foster an appreciation for the value of being physically educated. By doing so, students are encouraged to make informed choices in their future to remain active and fit throughout their lives.
-
Sixth Grade Religion
6th Grade Religion Curriculum: Christianity, Episcopal Tradition, and People of Faith
In 6th grade religion, students begin the year with a review of Christianity’s history and the content of the Bible before diving into a deeper exploration of the Anglican Tradition and the Episcopal Church. The focus is on understanding the origins of the Church, the Book of Common Prayer, hymnals, and prominent Anglicans.Following this foundational study, students expand their focus to include the lives of significant people of faith whose actions and beliefs were central to their missions. These figures include:
- Jesus of Nazareth (Christian)
- Dorothy Day (Christian)
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Christian)
- Mother Teresa (Christian)
- Oscar Romero (Christian)
- Martin Luther King Jr. (Christian)
- Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel (Jewish)
- Siddhartha the Buddha (Buddhist)
- Mahatma Gandhi (Hindu)
- Prophet Muhammad (Muslim)
As students learn about these influential individuals, the concept of "mission" is emphasized. The course explores what it means to live a life of faith, service, and purpose, and what is necessary to fulfill one’s mission in the world.
The culminating project for the year involves students researching a contemporary person or project that engages with religion or faith in action. They work in groups and reflect on their own mission, considering how they can contribute to social change and spiritual practice in their own lives.
By the end of 6th grade, students will:
- Have a general understanding of the Episcopal Church and Christian faith.
- Be able to connect social change to religious and spiritual practice.
- Have explored the five world religions and their major figures.
- Begin to reflect on the type of person they would like to become, considering their own mission in life.
This course encourages students to think critically about their faith, how it can influence the world, and the ways in which they can contribute to a greater good.
-
Sixth Grade World Language
At St. Anne’s, we want our language students to feel confident communicating in an all-Spanish or all-French environment (target-language environment) and to become lifelong language enthusiasts. To achieve this, we strive to create a high-interest, supportive classroom environment in which students acquire the language (as opposed to simply learning about the language).
We want students to:
- Take ownership of their learning
- Show their understanding
- Use Spanish/French for authentic communication
- Be curious and globally minded about people and cultures
- Feel secure enough to take risks
Students are immersed in an environment that maximizes language acquisition. Instead of self-contained lessons on vocabulary topics, students hear words and functional language in naturally occurring, personalized contexts.
For example, instead of teaching a unit about numbers and colors, students hear and use numbers and colors in real target-language conversation. When we talk about the calendar and the week ahead, we ask:
Does someone have a birthday this month? When is it?
Over time, students learn the numbers and the colors, but in the context of authentic communication.
-
Sixth Grade Science
6th-grade science is an integration of physical, life, and earth sciences. The cornerstone of our science courses is the many hands-on, minds-on labs, activities, and projects held in small groups in our well-equipped science classrooms.
Students learn how to incorporate scientific thinking in both inquiry-based learning and traditional lectures. Assessments are given on a regular basis and include:
- Written tests/quizzes
- Online tests/quizzes
- In-class and virtual labs
- Projects
Units of study in 6th-grade science include:
- Natural selection
- History of the earth and plate tectonics
- Forces and electricity
- Space
-
Sixth Grade Advanced Math
Topics Covered:
- Single Variable Expressions, Equations, and Inequalities
- Exponents and Scientific Notation
- Ratios and Proportions
- Financial Literacy
- Statistics and Probability
Pre-Algebra is a full exploration of basic mathematical concepts with variables. Teachers employ a variety of strategies aimed at different learning modalities, including kinesthetic, visual, oral, and aural. Students collaborate on a daily basis in solving simple and complex problems.
The curriculum is traditional and is based on the McDougal-Littell textbook series written by Larson et al. However, most assignments come from other resources, including IXL, math puzzles, and tailored worksheets. Interactive competitive games are often played to reinforce skills.
Students engage in projects that require higher-order thinking skills and collaboration. An example of this is the investment project, where groups collaborate to invest the maximum allowable Individual Retirement Account (IRA) amount over a hypothetical working life of 40 years. Students not only learn about compounding and the time-value of money, but also key financial concepts such as wealth, risk, and inflation.
Students also explore how mathematics is used and misused in the real world. They learn how graphs can be interpreted and misinterpreted, and that this can lead to the marginalization of individuals and groups.
In the third trimester, students explore geometry, including one-, two-, and three-dimensional figures. They calculate volume and surface areas of solids by learning how to break down those solids into unit cubes and nets, respectively.
-
Sixth Grade English
The “Human Journey” theme in 6th-grade Social Studies is also explored in 6th-grade English class.
6th-grade English uses a variety of pedagogical approaches to teach and explore literature and writing. Some of those approaches are:
- Shared Inquiry
- Readers Workshop
- Thinking Strategies
- Robust approaches to writing using a CER model (Claim/Evidence/Reasoning)
- The 6-traits rubric for assessment
In writing, the students begin with a short, well-written paragraph and expand that to a multi-paragraph essay.
Regarding reading texts, the students explore a variety of texts that are assigned as well as self-selected. 6th-grade students will read every day in class, whether with their assigned or self-selected reading. Students are also exposed to vocabulary and grammar skills daily.
The units of study in English class align well with our Social Studies themes so that students can see the connections between these disciplines.
At the end of the year, students work on a capstone project that allows them to work on a multi-genre project and human issues that matter to them. The capstone project includes a written element and a presentation encompassing their multi-genre research.
The 6th-grade students finish their year exploring what it means to be human by writing letters to their 8th-grade selves.