The Eighth Grade Experience at Saint Gregory’s School
The Saint Gregory’s School experience is intentional at every level. From the breaks our school takes for recess, to the uniforms our students wear, we create a culture that will lead your child to success. We would know, we have a 100% college attendance rate for our students.
Eighth grade is the culmination of years of hard work at Saint Gregory’s. In this final year at SGS, students go through the final steps to being prepared for high school. Through field trips and special events, our students leave for high school with an advanced education at their age.
Take a look at some of the features of the eighth grade school year at Saint Gregory’s:
Ringing the bell on the First Day of School | September
The “last first day” that we get to spend with our oldest students is an opportunity we take to commemorate this moment with them. On the first day of school in September, our eighth graders are invited to ring the bell and signify the beginning of a new academic year.
As bittersweet as it is to see our students go, we hold moments like this close to us. Ringing the bell is the beginning of the final months with our oldest students.
Mother Child Dinner | November
The Mother-Child Dinner celebrates the students of our school along with the incredible mothers that support them. We invite the moms of our eighth graders to attend this event that features our students sharing some words while bringing our family into the same room. Ask anyone who has attended a Mother-Child Dinner, they will tell you how special of a night this is for everyone involved.
Knights vs. Dragons Basketball Game | November
Each year, the Knights, our students, take on the Dragons, our teachers, in a basketball game that has a history similar to Celtics vs. Lakers. You may find that to be hyperbole, until looking at the photos from the most recent game:
Our school community is a family that enjoys having fun together. The memories made by our students at SGS will last a lifetime, as they will for our faculty too.
Black and White Wall Art Project
Each year, our eighth grade students produce black and white OP Art Acrylic Paintings that are maintained as part of the class’s legacy. In a curriculum that challenges students on a daily basis, this project is a creative outlet for self-expression, encouraging teamwork and collaboration among students. The monochromatic color scheme allows for a cohesive and sophisticated final product that we proudly display within our school, showcasing the our students’ creativity.
Eighth Grade Senior Research Project
The Eighth Grade Senior Research Project with Dr. Meyer is a year-long research project in which students conduct in-depth research about a topic of their choice, look through scholarly works, write critiques and bibliographies, and ultimately produce an informative and argumentative paper of considerable length.
The topics of these projects span a wide area of interest and controversy, including papers tackling things like:
- “The Need for Reform of U.S. Immigration Policy,”
- “Does God Exist? A Theological and Philosophical Exploration of Humanity’s Central Existential Question”
- “Inflation and Its Effect on the Sociopolitical Fabric of America.”
The final deliverable is a 12 to 15 page paper with an annotated bibliography, draft essay and final copy. This research project is a great example of the opportunities unique to Saint Gregory’s that sets students apart from their peers when they reach high school.
The Winter and Spring Concerts
The Winter and Spring concerts are an all-school event in which each class participates. Every year, our eighth graders are recognized with special performances as the class gets a final chance to share music with our community.
Our school exposes students to a wide variety of experiences that allows them to gauge their interests, and our music department is no exception. We see many students pursue a career in music following their time at Saint Gregory’s. We are proud to be a part of their journey, knowing this is far from the final time performing on stage for some.
Washington D.C. Field Trip | May
Each year, our eighth grade students plan and fund a field trip to Washington D.C., exploring our capital city and connecting with SGS alumni. Take a look at the events our students enjoyed during one of the recent trips they planned:
Not only is the trip fun, but it is a chance for students to rise to the occasion of having some real responsibility. The Washington D.C. field trip does not happen without their planning, financially and logistically.
Graduation and Awards on the Last Day of School | June
On the last day of the school year, we look back on all we’ve done together, not just this year, but during our eighth graders’ entire time within our school. We also give out awards that recognize the academic achievements of students and their growth throughout their time at SGS. Of course, the final day of the school year is the time where we celebrate graduation as well.
Graduating from Saint Gregory’s means many things aside from completing your education up to high school. Graduation at our school means a student is set up for success in the short term by enduring a rigorous course load, busy schedule of after-school activities and athletics, and being a part of projects and experiences that will enrich their education. All of our graduates go onto college, including some of the top institutions in the country like Ivy League schools.
Many of the opportunities presented to our students in high school are the result of classes they’ve completed at Saint Gregory’s. Completing eighth grade at our school will put students ahead in the long run with the opportunity to earn academic scholarships, and in the short term, with high school level classes that will give them credit.
While we are sad to see our students go, this is a moment to celebrate. We know our alumni will achieve great things in their careers and we are eager to see them back on our campus someday.
Each student has a different reason for why they love our school. The eighth grade experience at SGS is something that will stay with a child into high school, college and the rest of their life. It is never too late to transfer into Saint Gregory’s, especially if your child wants to learn, achieve and grow with students that have the same goals.
Tour Saint Gregory’s Loudonville campus and see for yourself what our school has to offer. Follow Saint Gregory’s on Instagram and Facebook for more on the most recent events and updates within our school.
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