8th Grade
In their final year at OLH, students enjoy the freedom which comes from being the "student leaders" of the school. Students assist with the morning announcements, help with various wider school jobs and are trusted with a large degree of responsibility.
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In religion, an emphasis is placed on morality and evaluating decisions in light of Catholic teaching. An emphasis is also placed on Church history and helping students to understand the foundations of our faith, the challenges which have been overcome and the ever evolving understanding of God's plan for us and creation. While all students study the sacrament of Confirmation, students who are Catholic receive the sacrament in the Spring of the school year.
Mathematically, students in Algebra I study linear, exponential and quadratic functions. An emphasis is placed on representing these functions in multiple ways (equations, graphs, tables and orally). Problem solving is key as students learn to formulate equations from problems in order to solve them accurately. Throughout the course of the year, students concentrate on the following topics: Linear functions, Quadratic Functions, Exponential Functions, Systems of Equations and Inequalities, Polynomials, Factoring, Rational Equations and Functions, Geometry and Data Analysis.
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In science, students preview many of the topics of study they will investigate in high school including chemistry, physics, biology (dissection) and ecology. Students participate in the school's Science Fair by constructing a race car fueled by carbon dioxide. The highlight of the year takes place when students hold a drag race at the school's Science Fair and determine whose design will take home first prize.
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In eighth grade, an emphasis is placed on American History. Students are guided to understand the evolving nature of our culture, politics and economy as they work on both mastery of curricular topics and group projects.
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Eighth grade literature and english continues to be novel based with the goal of exposing students to the classics. Over the course of the year, students will read five novels, write numerous essays and practice their public speaking through oral presentations. With the goal of understanding that authors write to both express beliefs and entertain, students develop their knowledge of author as entertainer and philosopher.