Middle & High School - October 2026

October has been a busy and productive month for our middle and high school students! Across our classes, students have continued to strengthen their academic skills, explore new ideas, and discover how their learning connects to their lives as Christian students. It has been encouraging to see their growing confidence as they tackle challenging concepts and participate in thoughtful classroom discussions.

Our 9th graders continue to work hard across their subjects. In Math, they have been studying conjunctions and disjunctions as they work with logical statements, along with learning how to solve and graph absolute value inequalities. These lessons encourage careful reasoning and problem-solving as students build on their mathematical understanding. In Geography, we have been exploring the United States and Canada, learning more about their physical features and natural resources. We have also discussed how we can be faithful stewards of the creation God has entrusted to our care and recognize His handiwork in the world around us.

In Grammar and Writing, the 9th graders have been sharpening their writing skills by reviewing spelling, capitalization, and punctuation. They have also been practicing how to construct thoughtful, well-developed answers to essay questions, learning to communicate their ideas clearly and effectively. Meanwhile, in Literature, we have been examining characterization, including the differences between flat and round characters and static and dynamic characters. Through short stories such as The Gift of the Magi, an excerpt from The Giver, and other selections, students are discovering how authors develop characters and communicate deeper themes through their stories. These discussions encourage students to look beyond the surface of a story and think more carefully about the choices, motivations, and experiences of its characters.

Our 10th grader has also been working hard! In Literature, she has continued exploring figurative language and the ways authors use words creatively to enrich meaning and bring their writing to life. In Grammar and Writing, we have been reviewing the parts of speech and practicing how to use them effectively. These lessons are helping strengthen her ability to express ideas with greater clarity, creativity, and confidence as she continues developing her writing skills.

Our 7th and 8th graders have also been making great progress. In English, students have spent the month focusing on verbs, building a stronger understanding of how these essential parts of speech bring sentences to life. In Literature, we wrapped up our study of The Canterbury Tales and began reading The Midwife’s Apprentice, a Newbery Medal-winning novel by Karen Cushman. These works offer opportunities to discuss timeless themes, including human weakness, humility, perseverance, and the importance of treating others with compassion. As we read and discuss these stories, we consider how God’s Word shapes our understanding of our neighbors and reminds us of the love, kindness, and grace Christ has shown to us. Students are learning that literature can help us better understand both the world around us and the experiences of others.

I am thankful for the opportunity to help these students grow in knowledge, understanding, and faith. As they continue developing their skills in reading, writing, mathematics, and geography, it is a blessing to see their effort, curiosity, and progress. My prayer is that they continue to grow in wisdom, remain rooted in Christ, serve their neighbors faithfully, and use the gifts God has given them to His glory!