PCS Junior High Curriculum (6th-8th)
Pasadena Christian School proudly believes that the whole child must be addressed; from their minds to their spirits, to everything in between, PCS has created a safe space for students to explore, take risks, and keep their curiosity intact as they venture from elementary to junior high. Junior high faculty recognizes the importance of scaffolding the building blocks of critical thinking skills in our students without quenching their innate tendencies of discovering, thinking, and learning. Students are encouraged to ask questions, sharpen their character, and learn to lean on community as they continue to uncover their talents and identity in Christ, that they can, one day, confidently contribute to society.
English Language Arts
Junior high English Language Arts classes at PCS build on skills developed previously,
such as foundational writing conventions as well as analytical reading skills, applying
extracted information from both nonfiction and fiction texts to developing focused,
cultivated pieces of writing. Students are introduced to a wide range of texts to better
connect their findings to their prior knowledge. Summative assessments include, but are
not limited to Socratic seminars as well as varying types of essays.
Math
Math at PCS equips students with the tools to understand numbers, quantities, shapes,
and their relationships. Through pattern abstraction, logical reasoning, and problem
solving, students develop critical thinking skills that help them become informed
thinkers. We also reflect on how the order and logic of mathematics reveal the truth and
beauty of God's creation.
Science
Science is an important part of the PCS curriculum as students explore the world and
how it works. Students are engaged in active learning through hands-on activities, labs,
and projects. The science classroom at PCS is a space that is set up for students to
collaborate and complete labs, with all the necessary materials already in the
classroom. Students are given opportunities to grow in their ability to expand their skills
in scientific methods, critical thinking, reading and writing, and communication
throughout the year. With a strong Biblical foundation, students wrestle with how both
Christians and non-Christians interpret data and draw conclusions.
Bible
Bible is a core subject at PCS, and students in junior high closely analyze the books of
the Bible, characters, major stories, and important themes. In the courses, God is
studied not only the author of the story, but also a character engaged with the lives of
the men and women created in His image. Moreover, students examine how their
story intersects with God’s story, and where we all belong in this eternal narrative.
Students eventually dive deeper into a thematic study of the Bible with special attention
paid to the books of the New Testament, emphasizing on God’s climactic act of
salvation in the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus. PCS students examine the
sending of the Holy Spirit as a gift to the apostles and early church. We will also look at
early church history to see the struggles of being in the world, but not of it.
History
History paints a detailed picture of how society, technology, and government functioned
in the past so that we can better understand how it all works today. It helps us
determine how to approach the future as we learn from our past mistakes and triumphs
as a society. Good citizens are well informed citizens, and informed citizens are better
decision makers. We will study historical events with the specific intent of developing an
appreciation for the contributions of others and becoming self directed learners who are
knowledgeable citizens.
Rotating Electives and Enrichment
- Worship Team
- Film Studies
- Yearbook
- Creative Writing
- Photography
- Culinary Arts
- Art
- Computer
- Spanish
- Theater
- High School Prep.
- Student Council
- Ambassador Program
- Cheer
- After school sports program: Football, Volleyball, Basketball, Soccer