Academics
Students are grouped heterogeneously. Kindergarten through Grade 3 are self-contained classes. Within the classroom, students may be divided into smaller groups and given additional assistance to meet their individual needs and learning styles. In Kindergarten through Grade 3, instructional assistants assist the classroom teacher. A modified departmental program begins in Grade 4 and increases as the students progress to the middle school grades.
KINDERGARTEN
Our Kindergarten is a full day program. The curriculum provides for active involvement and emphasis on basic skills and concepts; pre-reading and reading, language, math, science, social studies, art, music, Spanish, and physical education. Instruction in religious truths and values is an integral part of the program.
GRADES 1 AND 2
Primary objectives include stimulation of a greater interest in reading and an effort to increase vocabulary, speaking, listening, comprehension, and creative writing. Concentration is on the core subjects with an emphasis on reading, writing, and math. Reading and language arts are integrated and the holistic approach to learning is encouraged. Students continue their progress in the encore subjects of Art, Spanish, Music, Physical Education, Library and Technology.
GRADES 3 THROUGH 5
A program of continuous practice and expansion of language arts and math skills accompanied by their application to content areas is provided in Grades 3 through 5.
The core and encore subjects, as well as Spanish, are studied in greater depth.
Children on this level are provided with additional opportunities to work independently, according to their abilities. Teachers continue to equip the children with knowledge, appreciation, skills, habits, and attitudes necessary for successful living. The major thrust of these grades is growth in maturity and responsibility.
MIDDLE SCHOOL (GRADES 6 THROUGH 8)
Middle School students work with a time schedule and change of classes to provide for instruction in each of the core and encore subjects. Students are given greater responsibility in their learning as well as in providing leadership. Working within the middle school concept, emphasis is placed on teamwork and the recognition of each student’s contributions to the learning process.
Based on their mathematics progress, aptitude, and teacher recommendation in sixth grade, students are placed in either Mathematics 7 or Pre-Algebra for the following academic year, and are notified of this placement at the end of sixth grade.
Based on their mathematics progress, aptitude (including the Iowa Algebra Aptitude Test score), and teacher recommendation in seventh grade, students are placed in Basic Algebra, Algebra 1, or Honors Algebra 1.
GRADES 7-8 ELECTIVES
When your child is in grade 7 or 8, they will be given the opportunity to chose from several elective areas within the Library, Music and Art curricula. We are proud to offer courses such as Sports in the News, Guitar Class, Portraits, Percussion, Survival, Composition, Choir, and Mythology/Heroes. Your 7th or 8th grader will experience these courses everyday for a nine week quarter, then move to the next elective class.