Junior High (Grades 6 thru 8)
St. Mary’s Junior High provides an intermediate level of study before high school for girls and boys in grades 6-7-8. Guided by the SMS Mission Statement, the students develop a sense of tolerance, acceptance, and respect for themselves and each other. Caring faculty challenge students in a variety of subjects. The sixth grade sections are mostly self-contained classes with one primary teacher. Seventh and eighth grades move from classroom to classroom with teacher specialists in English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Spanish and Religion. Our program thoroughly prepares students for the high school curriculum and setting. Many of our students transition easily into the advanced level classes offered in the high school curriculum.
Our highly qualified and dedicated faculty design a junior high curriculum tailored to the unique needs and interests of young adolescents in the subjects of Religion, Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, Spanish, Science, Physical Education, Band, Music, Computer and Life Skills. Seventh and eighth grade students participate in Shared Time at the Owatonna Junior High School during the last hour of every day. Classes at Owatonna Junior High include one quarter each year of Spanish, Industrial Tech, Family and Consumer Science, and Art.
School traditions abound at St. Mary’s. Special masses, field trips, spirit groups, celebrations, and events pairing younger students with older students foster a sense of community at our school and create wonderful shared memories. A highlight for eighth graders is a week-long class trip to Wolfe Ridge Environmental Learning Center (Wolf Ridge) where they enjoy variety of activities that promote self-esteem, personal growth and appreciation of one another through immersion in outdoor experiences.
Read more about the many extracurricular opportunities available to St. Mary’s students.