Introducing the New Sixth Grade Program

Following extensive community feedback and strategic planning and with approval of Bishop LaValley, we are excited to share our vision for the expansion of St. Bernard’s School. This initiative provides students with a “bridge” year—one that preserves our cherished small-school community while intentionally preparing them for the academic and social challenges of junior high school.

• Continued Spiritual Growth: Integrating religious education and community service into the daily middle-grade experience.
• A Supportive Transition: Providing a bridge to junior high that combines the security of a close-knit community with the growth of personal responsibility.
• Increased Independence: Shifting from a self-contained classroom to a departmentalized structure with daily homework, building essential time management and organizational skills. Our small classes will be grouped into larger learning cohorts to practice collaboration and prepare students for the structure of junior high school classrooms for non-foundational learning. 

The Academic Model: Departmentalization

To prepare students for seventh grade and beyond, upper elementary grades will transition to a departmentalized structure.

• Subject Specialists: Students will rotate between dedicated teachers for different subjects, allowing instruction to be delivered by content specialists and improving overall rigor.
• Organizational Mastery: Changing classrooms and managing multiple teachers’ expectations will help students develop executive functioning skills, including organization, time management, and self-advocacy.
• Core Focus: Daily schedules will include 50-minute blocks for core subjects, ensuring deep coverage of foundational concepts essential for middle-grade learners.

6th Grade Senior Seminar & Capstone

Senior Seminar will be St. Bernard’s signature sixth-grade experience, woven throughout the entire year to prepare students for junior high and beyond through experiential learning, leadership development, real-world skill building, and a culminating capstone project. Students will move beyond the traditional classroom to see themselves as scholars, leaders, and contributors to their community.

Core Pillars of Senior Seminar

• Experiential Learning & Community Partnerships: Hands-on learning beyond the classroom, including collaborations with Paul Smith’s College, environmental and sustainability projects, culinary and nutrition experiences, guest experts, and real-world problem-solving connected to the community.
• Life Skills & Health Education: Development of essential skills for adolescence and independence, including organization, time management, study skills, digital citizenship, mental health awareness, wellness, and responsibility.
• Leadership & Service Development: Sixth graders will lead initiatives, mentor younger students, plan service projects, assist with school events, and practice collaboration and public speaking.
• Capstone Project: Each student will complete a long-term project reflecting personal interests, such as research, service-learning, entrepreneurial ventures, creative presentations, or school improvement proposals. Students will choose a topic, research, plan, create, and present their work to peers, staff, families, and community partners.

We welcome collaboration and encourage you to reach out with questions about our 6th grade program!