Grades 7-8 Apply Today A Day in the Life

Julie Billiart Schools offer a unique, whole-child education program for children in grades K-8. 

Students are grouped into four different grade bands (K-2, 3-4, 5-6, and 7-8). Grade bands allow certified intervention specialists to break students into small groups based on ability. Students may join higher or lower grades within their bands based on their current needs and abilities for each subject. 

Students enjoy an 8:1 student to teacher ratio in grades 7-8. Each grade has two dedicated intervention specialists. Each grade features a main classroom and a resource room so that kids have more room for one-on-one instructions, small group instruction, and brain breaks. 

Instruction 

At this point in a JB education, students know how to advocate for their learning needs. They’re comfortable working in groups and using general and assistive technology to submit assignments. They use their school email address to safely and securely navigate classwork and homework. We emphasize homework and out-of-class assignments so that students become prepared for high school expectations. Students are supported in long-term projects that may culminate in spoken, written, or multimedia presentations. Our kids become confident in their academic abilities. They manage a full class schedule of language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, art, music, physical education, and religion. Junior high students benefit from speech, occupational, music, and art therapy as directed by their IEP. 

Goal Setting 

Beginning in grade 7, our intervention specialists meet with students to set individualized goals for the future. We want our kids to be kids, but we also know that many have apprehension about leaving the warm, accepting environment of Julie Billiart Schools. We begin to talk about goals for high school, possible career paths or long-term interests, and how we can help them meet their academic, social, and personal goals during their last two years at JB. 

Service Hours 

Our junior high students spend at least 20 hours serving others. Some help our kindergarten classrooms prepare for dismissal. Others distribute copies for our front offices. Some help with recycling or the setup or break down of lunch. Service projects and hours are determined in collaboration with students, parents, and the schools’ needs. No matter the project, students learn to practice kindness and cultivate a heart for serving others. 

Graduation 

When students graduate from Julie Billiart Schools, all will have completed the elementary course of study certified by the State of Ohio and the Cleveland Catholic Diocese. We celebrate our graduates each year with a diploma ceremony and special events. Since we began tracking the information a decade ago, 100 percent of our graduating eighth graders went on to graduate from high school or are currently on track to do so. Many of our kids go on to college and become doctors, lawyers, teachers, scientists, and authors. Others become community advocates, church or community volunteers, food service workers, mothers, and fathers. More importantly, they become empowered individuals who have learned their inherent worth and practice love, acceptance, and belonging in their daily lives. Just as every child is different, so, too is every path to success. At JB, we recognize and celebrate the fact that success looks different for every one of our kids. 

High School 

We are often told by area high schools that our students are the most prepared, organized kids that come through their doors. That’s because we integrate executive functioning into every part of our curriculum. Most kids experience some level of anxiety as they prepare to move on to high school. We do our best to prepare students for what they can expect - down to printing out maps of their new high school and charting a path from one class to the next. Junior high students attend JB’s high school information night in the spring to start learning about what options they have for high school. Some go to local private high schools like Lawrence School, Villa Angela-St. Joseph, Beaumont, St. Edwards, Benedictine, Padua, and others. Other students matriculate into their public high school. We’re here to support our kids and families as they take this next step.