Welcome!
We are delighted for the opportunity to share our middle school program with you. Our courses have been thoughtfully prepared to inspire and engage each individual student in a rich academic adventure, taught in light of the restored gospel. Ensign Peak Academy is established to teach Latter-day Saint youth, but welcomes all interested students.
We specialize in high-touch, low-tuition online Learning Communities.
Live Program
Each year, our middle school students (7th and 8th grade) attend a set of live, online classes as a Learning Community of no more than 25 students per class. This facilitates the development of great friendships within the Learning Community. Students may opt out of any live class, and tuition will be reduced accordingly.
Middle school students may join the live program anytime, while it is offered.
Visit the Tuition Page to view the tuition rates.
Students are invited to…
- Enjoy inspiring instruction from our terrific mentors.
- Discuss the lessons with mentors and other students through live webinar-based video, audio and chat.
- Make consistent progress through rich and meaningful lessons.
Live Program Calendar and Schedule
2023-2024 Live Middle School classes are held August 22, 2023 to May 30, 2024. View the 2023-2024 Calendar.
- 1st Semester: August 22, 2023 – January 18, 2024
- 2nd Semester: January 23, 2024 – May 30, 2024
Note: Students are welcome to join the live program anytime.
Live Class Schedules
- View our 2023-2024 Live Class Schedule
- Full schedule enrollment includes English, Literature, History, Geography, Science, Math and one elective per semester.
- Most courses include one live scheduled class per week, plus online personal study modules, assignments and quizzes which are completed independently, at times convenient to each student.
Full program or à la carte: Most students enroll in the full live program schedule of classes. All students are welcome to enroll à la carte in any live or self-paced course or courses, at any time.
Note: Students are welcome to join the live program anytime.
Course Schedule Alternation
The two middle school course schedules alternate every other year and are therefore non-sequential. These two schedules are labeled “Yellow Schedule” and “Green Schedule.” These schedules each include unique English, Literature, History, Geography and Science courses. In addition, full schedule enrollment includes a choice of one elective per semester. 7th and 8th grade students attend the same schedule of courses together each year.
Self-Paced Program
- Students may enroll any time of the year.
- Select the courses you want, or enroll in a full schedule of courses.
- Courses are accessed through Canvas. All grading, feedback and communication is provided within Canvas.
- No time limit for course completion – students work at their own pace.
- Upon completion, courses are entered onto the student’s Middle School Grade Report.
View the Tuition page and the Admissions Process page for enrollment information.
A Parent Shares Her Experience:
“My son is learning and growing so much in Ensign Peak Academy’s online Middle School program! It has been a godsend and a miracle to our family during a time my son showed readiness to ramp up his learning. I was seeking good, faithful, and fun mentors for my son when I came across Ensign Peak Academy on Facebook. After speaking with the director and reading the website, I knew it was a match. What the team at Ensign Peak Academy does is inspire and challenge the kids, give options on assignments so the students learn to take initiative, and reaffirm the values we teach as parents in our own home. We’ve had an excellent experience with Ensign Peak Academy and plan to continue with the school for the foreseeable future.” –Katrina Lantz
Accreditation
Ensign Peak Academy is accredited with Cognia. Visit our accreditation page for more information.
Yellow Schedule
- Taught live for the 2024-2025 year for both 7th and 8th grade.
- Currently offered as self-paced courses for both 7th and 8th grade.
American and British Literature
2-semester course
This course is a rich and thrilling adventure through some of the finest selections of American and British literature. It is taught in tandem with English: Focus on Language Arts. Students will enjoy engaging lessons, novels, a novella, a short story and poetry. These literature selections will provide a platform for investigations into the importance of family, virtue, Christian discipleship, integrity and courage, as well as literary themes, symbolism, plot-lines, characters, settings, writing styles, etc.
Part 1 Readings: The Magician’s Nephew, and The Last Battle by C. S. Lewis; “If” by Rudyard Kipling; and King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, by Roger Lancelyn Green.
Part 2 Readings: The Five Little Peppers and How They Grew, by Margaret Sidney; “To Build a Fire,” by Jack London; “Paul Revere’s Ride,” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow; and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, by Mark Twain.
English: Focus on Language Arts
2-Semester Course
The Lord asks for disciples who are prepared to assist in the building of the Kingdom of God through articulate, well-reasoned persuasion. This course is designed to provide an engaging opportunity for students to improve their language arts comprehension and skills, and to learn to articulate ideas in writing through a variety of cognitive procedures. Instruction interrelates with the American and British Literature course to provide topics for students to use as they articulate their own ideas as well as analyze, interpret, and evaluate the readings. Students will also sharpen their skills through fun games and activities designed to teach grammar and punctuation.
Part 1
During this semester, students will learn how to create a proper outline. They will learn to write a thesis statement and find evidence to support their thesis and write support paragraphs. Students will produce narrative essays and explore elements for grammar including: commas, semi-colons, colons, apostrophe, hyphen, and quotation marks. Additionally, the class will explore Limericks.
Part 2
Course content for this semester focuses on descriptive essays, narrative poetry. Students will learn the fundamentals of these writing forms and create their own essays and poems. Additionally, students will learn how to use a library and choose the “best books.” They will also learn and apply the basic elements of a story including: plot and setting.
US History
2-Semester Course
Part 1
The focus of part 1 of this 2-part course is seeing the hand of God in the establishment of the United States. This course is a broad overview of US history. Part 1 starts with the first Americans, explorers, Jamestown and Pilgrims, then proceeding to the 13 Colonies, the American Revolution and the writing of the US Constitution. Students will learn about influential US presidents, the growth of the nation, the War of 1812, slavery and abolitionist movements, the transportation revolution, women’s suffrage, and life in the factories.
Part 2
In part 2 of this 2-part course, students will continue to see that hand of the Lord in the building of the United States. Part 2 will cover the Civil War, reconstruction, immigration, the American West, The World Wars, The Great Depression, the Korean and Vietnam wars, the Civil Rights Movement and wrap up with an overview of religious freedom.
US Geography
2-Semester Course
Explore the United States of America through this exciting geography course. Students will learn to appreciate the culture, climate, and physical features of each region. They will be invited to learn about the national parks and the city life, the farms and ranches, the everglades and mountains, the deserts and forests, the plains and shorelines, and the rivers and lakes of our beautiful country. The course will introduce students to some of the most impressive man-made structures and important heritage sites. Games for memorizing the states and capitals are included, along with many fun geography activities. The focus of this course is to inspire gratitude for America, and a desire to preserve this land of promise as we strive to become true disciples of Christ.
Science Semester 1: Chemistry and Ecology
1-semester course (two 9-week units)
The Chemistry Unit will teach students basic chemistry. The unit will cover atomic structure, molecules and compounds, isotopes, electrons and chemical characteristics of elements, why atoms behave the way they do, ions, chemical reactions, covalent bonds, and ionic bonds. The patterns in chemistry will be presented as evidence of intelligent design.
The Ecology Unit will teach students the fundamentals of the distribution and interactions of organisms within their environment. Students will examine plant and animal populations, communities and ecosystems, from tiny bacteria’s role in nutrient recycling to the effects of tropical rain forest on the Earth’s atmosphere. Students will learn to appreciate the inter-relatedness of all things, as a pattern for Christian unity.
Science Semester 2: Geology and Astronomy
1-semester course (two 9-week units)
The Geology Unit will help students understand the essential elements that make up the earth. Students will learn to appreciate the Creator’s grand design in the formation of the earth, and our role as stewards. The unit will cover the earth’s layers, the geology of time, rocks, minerals, how the land forms, the geological processes, and how we use the earth’s resources. The unit will finish with a fascinating review of earthquakes and volcanoes.
The Astronomy Unit will teach students about the terrestrial and Jovian planets in our solar system, our sun and moon, the motion of the Earth, Kepler’s Laws of Planetary Motion, our universe, galaxies and space exploration. Students will enjoy learning about how God uses heavenly bodies and their motion as a source of rich symbolism for teaching gospel truths.
Green Schedule
- Taught live for the 2023-2024 school year for both 7th and 8th grade.
- Currently offered as self-paced courses for both 7th and 8th grade.
World Literature
2-semester course (parts 1 and 2)
This course provides an exciting journey through world mythology, classic stories, and fairy tales. It is taught in tandem with English: Language Arts Companion. The literature selections provide a platform for understanding other cultures, while exploring themes of virtue, integrity, courage, and the importance of preserving liberty. Students will gain fluency with a variety of literary devices. Students will also study biography as a form of literature, and be introduced to East Indian poetry.
Part 1 Readings for this course are The Children’s Homer, by Padraic Colum; Stories of Don Quixote Written Anew for Children, by James Baldwin; The Children of Odin: The Book of Northern Myths, by Padraic Colum; The Little Prince, by Antoine de Saint Exupéry; and Chinese Fairy Tales
Part 2 Readings for this course are Russian Fairy Tales; The Endless Steppe, by Esther Hautzig; Jewish Fairy Tales; The Arabian Nights (Illustrated Junior Library); African Fairy Tales; and the poetry of Rabindranath Tagore.
English: Language Arts Companion
2-semester course (parts 1 and 2)
The articulate use of language is a foundational tool for Christian scholarship. Instruction interrelates with the World Literature course to provide topics for students to use as they analyze, interpret, and evaluate the readings.
Part 1
This semester engages students in developing expository writing. Students will explore the concepts of theme, audience, and paragraph structure. Language arts comprehension and skills are strengthened by studying Latin and Greek roots, and through proper use of MLA formatting. Students will also sharpen their skills through fun games and activities designed to teach grammar.
Part 2
This semester teaches students persuasive writing, and how to expand their creativity through writing poetry and the art of the fairy tale. Students will learn the skills of writing a summary and evaluating writing samples. Students will also sharpen their skills through fun games and activities designed to teach grammar and capitalization.
World History
2-semester course (parts 1 and 2)
Part 1
This semester will take students on an exciting and fascinating journey from pre-history to the present day. Learn about the beginnings of civilization, the brilliant innovations of the Mesopotamians, the ancient and mighty Egyptians, the dramatic history of the ancient Hebrews, the important contributions of the ancient Greeks, and the powerful early civilizations of India and China. Explore the Roman Republic and how it became the mighty Roman Empire. Discover parts to the story of early Christianity you may not have previously heard. Find out about the influence of the Byzantine Empire and the culture of Islamic civilizations during the Middle Ages. Learn about Imperial China, the great African Empires and Feudal Japan. Throughout each semester, students will be invited to see the hand of God in the story of His children.
Part 2
This semester will invite students to discover Meso-American and Andean Civilizations, learn about the Medieval, Renaissance and Reformation eras in Europe, and the Age of Exploration. Find out about the Colonization of Africa, the Scientific Revolution, and the Enlightenment. Understand Latin American Colonization and Independence Movements. Study Canadian and Australian History. Learn about the great progress and struggles of the Industrial Revolution. Understand the causes, belligerents, conflicts and results of the World Wars. Discover how life changed as a result of the Information Age and Globalization. Throughout each semester, students will be invited to see the hand of God in the story of His children.
World Geography
2-semester course (parts 1 and 2)
Part 1
Take a trip around the world, as you learn about the continents, oceans, mountain ranges, major rivers and largest lakes. Explore the Arctic and learn the geography of Canada and Mexico. Learn some new geography terms. Find out about the land, countries and peoples of Central America, the Carribean, South America and Europe. Enjoy learning about the growth of Christ’s church in these regions.
Part 2
Take a journey through the countries of Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Australia and the South Pacific. Visit the world’s largest cities. Enjoy learning about the growth of Christ’s church in these regions. Learn about Antarctica, and the world’s major deserts, temperate forests, tropical rain forests, grasslands, tundra and taiga.
Science – 1st Semester: Cells and Classification of Living Things
1-semester course
Cell Unit: This unit will help students to understand and appreciate the basic building blocks of God’s living creations. Learn about cell theory. Find out about prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, cell structure, and the difference between plant and animal cells. Discover the wonder of photosynthesis. Learn about cellular respiration, homeostasis of cells, and the difference between unicellular and multicellular organisms.
Classification of Living Things Unit: This unit will help students understand and appreciate the grand design and order of God’s magnificent living creations.
Learn the seven levels of classification. Enjoy a fascinating introduction to the Monera Kingdom. Discover the Protist Kingdom. Explore the strange Fungi Kingdom. Take a walk through the Plant Kingdom, including trees, grass, flowers and algae. Gain insight into the wonders of the Animal Kingdom as you learn more about fish, birds, mammals and invertebrates.
Science – 2nd Semester: Heredity and Genetics
1-semester course
This course emphasises the brilliance of God’s design for all living creatures. Gain an understanding of chromosomal structures, the genetic attributes of life cycles, meiosis and mitosis, and the molecular basis of inheritance. Learn the history of Mendel and the idea of genes. Be introduced to protein synthesis. Learn how the structure and behavior of living creatures relates to their survival and ability to reproduce. Find out about variations among individuals in populations, and changes in populations over time. Learn about genetic mutations, common genetic disorders, and the strange world of ever-changing viruses. Gain insight into artificial selection, genetic modification and animal husbandry. Find out about biotechnology and genomes.
Electives
Full schedule live and self-paced enrollment includes two 1-semester electives. Students should select any two electives from this list:
- Offered as live courses every year.
- Currently offered as self-paced courses.
Middle School Music Appreciation
1-semester course
This music appreciation course provides students with a rich exploration of of musical eras, along with studying the life and works of great composers. This course is structured to accommodate students with and without previous musical training, aiming to inspire a true sense of understanding and appreciation for music and its application to their lives, and to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Middle School Art Appreciation
1-semester course
What does art tell us about people throughout the ages? Explore a wide range of art from ancient to modern. Enjoy learning about pottery, sculpture, paintings, drawings and architecture. How has art been used over time, to celebrate and teach others about God? Learn how artistic expression has changed over time, through the Renaissance, Impressionist and Post-Impressionist periods. Discover how abstract art and surrealism depict emotions without depicting reality. Learn about the incredible art of photorealism. Can a work of art be performed? Find out about the innovation of performance art. Learn how to make the most from a visit an art museum. Benefit from an engaging overview of the elements and principles of art. Meet some prominent Latter-day Saint artists and learn about their work.
Principles of Liberty Part 1
1-Semester Course
Discover fundamental principles of liberty upon which peace and prosperity are based. Learning is done through engaging object lessons, games, stories and activities designed to engage the young student. This course cultivates a love for liberty as it teaches how to apply these principles to real life decisions as students prepare for active citizenship. Students will learn of the indispensable role of religion and faith, in preserving liberty. Part 1 teaches different principles from part 2.
Principles of Liberty Part 2
1-semester course
Discover fundamental principles of liberty upon which peace and prosperity are based. Learning is done through engaging object lessons, stories and activities designed to engage the young student. This course cultivates a love for liberty as it teaches how to apply these principles to real life decisions as students prepare for active citizenship. Students will learn of the indispensable role of religion and faith, in preserving liberty. Part 2 teaches different principles from part 1. Note: Part 2 may be taken without having taken Part 1.
Yearbook
1-semester course, (not offered self-paced)
Have you wanted to improve your photography skills? Do you try your hand at graphic design? What about practicing your writing skills? Most of all, would you like to be part of something big? Come join the Ensign Peak Academy Yearbook Team and help put together a beautiful book to help the students have something to remember their school days, for years to come. Middle and high school students are invited to enroll in this course.
Math Courses
Please visit the Mathematics page for full details.
World Language Courses
Please visit our World Languages page for full details.
Disclaimer
The courses offered by Ensign Peak Academy are neither made, provided, approved nor endorsed by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Any content or opinions expressed, implied or included in or with the courses offered by Ensign Peak Academy are solely those of Ensign Peak Academy and not those of Intellectual Reserve, Inc. or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.