Academics

Academic Excellence:  Students in Senior Kindergarten learn through both structured and play-based, experiential learning activities. Instructional areas include Religion, Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Art, Music, Health, and Physical Education. Students participate in experiential learning opportunities through their study of and care for their class tortoises and through the use of various technology resources.

Spiritual Development: Senior Kindergarteners practice their faith and discipleship with Christ through participation in various prayer opportunities throughout the day. They attend and participate in Mass with the rest of the student body. Students learn memorized prayers and about the different Holy Days. The children study God’s creations and read and learn various Bible stories. Also in Senior Kindergarten, students learn about our church and how we show respect for our church. The children know that all people are from God and we respect that God created.

Character Development: In Senior Kindergarten, students continue to learn about the importance of good character. We develop this character through guiding students in taking turns, playing cooperatively with other children, and sharing. Students at this age also learn about the importance of and practice using the fruits of the Holy Spirit: joy, love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control.

Service:  Senior Kindergarten students learn about the importance of and participate in serving others. The students serve through praying for others, making cards, collecting donated items, and joining in regular service projects.

Academic Excellence: In first and second grades, students work hard to develop as readers. Reading skills are developed in students’ curricular work across the instructional disciplines, which include Religion, Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Art, Music, Health, and Physical Education. In first and second grades, students learn to begin using technology as a communication tools, creating their first slid presentations and beginning to work on public speaking through making presentations. Students participate in experiential, hands-on learning activities in their classes including regularly receiving instruction in and creating pieces in our STEAM lab.

Spiritual Development:  The 1st and 2nd grade years are magical years in the faith formation of children, culminating in students receiving the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion in the 2nd grade year. Students in these grade levels learn about the life of Jesus, identify and share different forms of prayer in the classroom community, and identify and celebrate Catholic Holy days and seasons. It is also at this level that students begin to participate in the planning and preparation of liturgies for the school and parish community.

Character Development: In first and second grades, teachers work with students on the importance of showing good character, when when no one is looking. Students at this age level are guided to become patient, resilient, responsible, open-minded, and self-reliant.

Service:  Students in 1st and 2nd grades learn about and practice the service of others with the school service projects. Additionally, the 1st and 2nd grade students organize and execute service projects annually to support various student selected charities. The children have done service projects such as ringing bells for the Salvation Army, and sold items to raise funds for charities like Sarnelli House, The American Red Cross, Catholic Charities, and more.

Academic Excellence: In third and fourth grades, students make the important transition from learning to read to reading to learn. Students use the reading skills that have been taught to become stronger in all of their academic disciplines which include Religion, Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Art, Music, Health, and Physical Education. Students in 3rd and 4th grade participate in a variety of experiential, hands-on learning opportunities through science curriculum experiments and through unique field trip opportunities. Students in third and fourth grades build on their public speaking skills through planning for and participating in presentations for the class at least once per month.

Spiritual Development:  Students in third and fourth grades continue to develop in their faith through regular participation in the planning and celebration of liturgy. In addition to participation in Mass and regular prayer, the children continue their study of the faith. They learn more deeply what it means to be a follower and disciple of Christ. The students study the Mass, the Beatitudes, the Ten Commandments, the Holy Trinity, basic psalms, and stories of our saints. By the end of fourth grade, students will know traditional prayers by heart and will begin to learn to pray the rosary.

Character Development:  Our students are continuing to grow and develop in character in grades 3 and 4. At this age, students continue to be guided to be respectful of all others, including classmates, teachers, and property. Students at this age are also working to grow in personal responsibility and organization. Students are encouraged to work to peacefully settle disagreements while maintaining confidence and being assertive while forgiving.

Service: Students in third and fourth grades learn about and understand the importance of serving others. In addition to the monthly school-wide service projects, the students choose their own service projects and plan and execute them to support various organizations such as Sarnelli House, The American Heart Association, and Leukemia/Lymphoma Society.

Academic Excellence: In the middle school grades, students continue to separate themselves from their same grade level peers in other schools. Our smaller class sizes and personalized learning lead to students to perform at a higher level. Students move out of reading class and begin to study Literature as well as Religion, Writing, Speaking and Listening, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Art, Music, Health, and Physical Education. Students in middle school participate in a variety of experiential, hands-on learning opportunities through science curriculum experiments and through unique field trip opportunities. 

Spiritual Development:  Students in the middle school grades continue to learn more about their faith through more frequent religion classes. These classes are in addition to their participation in daily prayer and Mass. They learn more deeply what it means to be a follower and disciple of Christ. The students study the Bible and by the time they finish grade 8 they will have studied the entire Bible.

Character Development:  Our students are continuing to grow and develop in character in the middle school grades. At this age, students are growing more focused on peers and social relationships. They are guided and supported in our safe environment to communicate effectively, work through conflict resolution, and to be firm in their faith and character. They continue to be guided to be respectful of all others, including classmates, teachers, and property. 

Service: Students in middle school grades learn about and understand the importance of serving others. In addition to the monthly school-wide service projects, the students choose their own service projects. When reaching 7th and 8th grades, the students run their own student-led small business and raise funds for a charity of their choice as a culminating service learning project. This business, SJOA Café, allows the students to bring service learning together with their business and economics studies.