Eighth grade year is the pinnacle of the students’ experience at St. Pius School. Students are given extra responsibilities in order to prepare them to achieve success in high school, and at the same time are expected to continue to expand their knowledge by actively participating in all of their core subjects. Religious studies in the eighth grade focuses on the creation of the Church, Church history, and the key virtues of morality expected from the members of the Church. Students look in depth at the Beatitudes, the Ten Commandments, the Vatican Councils, the Reformation, The Great Commission, etc. In social studies they learn about the foundations of the United States beginning with early exploration and continuing through Reconstruction after the Civil War. Students learn to analyze many historical documents including the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Gettysburg Address and Presidential Inaugural Addresses. Students build upon knowledge learned in English through grammar, structure and writing composition in various forms (expository, descriptive, persuasive and narrative). In literature the eighth grade covers many different genres including: nonfiction, poetry, drama, short story and fiction. They also read and critically analyze several novels throughout the year. The focus of math is algebra and in science it is physical science. Students also enjoy classes in art, technology, music, Spanish and P.E.