Program Description for Primary Unit – Grades 1 to 3
The goal for the Primary Unit is to develop the students’ mathematical and literacy skills. Reading, writing, spelling, handwriting, and listening and speaking skills are developed into an English Language Arts program based on the Core Curriculum State Standards in conjunction with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia guidelines. Reading is taught using a variety of teaching methods designed to capture student interest and maximize individual learning.
Math stresses basic computation facts and skills, money, measurement, problem-solving and elementary geometry. Manipulatives are used to aid the understanding of mathematical concepts. Reading themes are further enhances by the exploration of related science and social studies activities.
Students in 1st through 3rd grades have weekly instruction in Spanish, Library, Music, Art, Physical Education and Computer, with a 1:1 ratio of laptops per student. All classrooms are equipped with a SMARTBoard and iPad docking stations to facilitate technology instruction in the classroom. For further information please view the curriculum section of the website.
Program Description for Elementary Unit – Grades 4th through 6th
At the elementary level, the students’ understanding of concepts and ideas evolves to a higher level of critical thinking skills. A variety of teaching techniques are used to allow the students to develop grammatical and reading skills as well as an appreciation for literature. The components of the English Language Arts program are reading, writing, and listening and speaking skills. Reading incorporates trade books in conjunction with an anthology. Grade appropriate skills and tools for language competency are presented through the ELA program and a supplementary grammar text that stresses writing skills. In accordance with the writing standards, students compose essays and poetry.
Math stresses operations of the whole numbers, fractions, decimals and percents promoting higher level thinking skills in problem-solving and computation. In addition, daily maintenance sheets and use of flash cards strengthen basic math skills. Problems of the week are used effectively. Eligible students have the opportunity to participate in an Honors Math program.
The focus of social studies is geography skills and world cultures. Students begin with a study of communities and government, learn about Pennsylvania and proceed to the Eastern and Western hemispheres. Through classroom discussions, students are encouraged to become aware of current events at the local, national and international levels. Science follows the National Science Standards and calls upon the students to become familiar with the scientific method of problem-solving. Students learn about Earth, Life and Physical sciences each year.
Students in 4th Grade have once weekly instruction in Spanish, Library, Music, Art, Physical Education and Computer, with a 1:1 ratio of laptops per student. Students in 5th and 6th Grades have twice weekly instruction in Spanish, and weekly instruction in Library, Music, Art, Physical Education and Computer, with a 1:1 ratio of laptops per student. All classrooms are equipped with a SMARTBoard and iPad docking stations (4th and 5th Grades) or iPads at a 1:1 ratio per student (6th Grade), to facilitate technology instruction in the classroom. For further information please view the curriculum section of the website.
Program Description for Middle Unit – Grades 7th and 8th
Students at this level share in the responsibility for their own education by learning time management techniques and striving to develop academic competence and personal self-discipline. Curriculum subject areas are presented by a team of teachers who utilize the guidelines as a basis of instruction. Techniques include lectures, discussions, demonstrations, and cooperative learning activities. The English Language Arts program prescribed by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the Common Core State Standards is implemented at this level in order to equip students to communicate effectively in speech and writing. Through a study of a variety of genres of literature, students develop comprehension, vocabulary and critical thinking skills as well as active reading strategies. Reading for pleasure is encouraged.
The math curriculum includes whole numbers, decimals, fractions, consumer math, probability, rational number theory, equations, inequalities, integers, geometry and pre-algebra and algebra. Eligible students have the opportunity to participate in an Honors Math program which includes algebra instruction.
In both social studies and science, the students develop organization and study skills. The discovery and exploration of our country from the beginning of American history to the present is the focus of the social studies curriculum. The students are encouraged to become aware of the political and social issues in the world around them through their interactive discussion of current events. In science, the study of Life and Earth sciences is taught through the use of text and lab explorations. The material is further enhanced by small group interactions and correlating lab assignments. Students explore botany and the scientific method in our outdoor ecological classroom.
Students in 7th and 8th grades have twice weekly instruction in Spanish and weekly instruction in Library, Music, Art, Physical Education and Computer, with a 1:1 ratio of laptops per student. All classrooms are equipped with SMARTBoards and the use of iPads at a 1:1 ratio per student to facilitate technology instruction in the classroom. For further information please view the curriculum section of the website.