Curriculum

The focus of the curriculum for the Early Childhood Program (Pre-K and K) is to nurture growth within a supportive environment, balancing structure and freedom. It is designed to lead children from wonder to discovery and from investigation to affirmation. Children are stimulated through specially designed activities for every subject area in an age-appropriate manner. They are engaged in a variety of well-planned activities created for group and individual participation.

Recognizing that the early years are critical in setting the tone for learning throughout the child’s life, we adapted a Positively Early Childhood Program in accordance with the National Association for Education of Young Children. The objective of this curriculum is to enable students to become lifetime learners and searchers.

Stimulating and challenging each child to achieve his or her personal best is the goal of our Primary and Intermediate Programs. We provide a positive and in-depth approach to the teaching of skills required to introduce, reinforce, master and extend all subject areas, bringing students to a higher level of thinking skill. Emphasis is placed on integrated language arts including listening, reading, writing, spelling, phonics, grammar, and mathematics, creating a solid foundation for future learning. Individual progress is carefully monitored to ensure continued success in these vital skills.

Complementing the subject areas of religion, mathematics, integrated language arts, science, social studies, and world language are art and music instruction and physical education programs.

Our Middle School curriculum builds on fundamentals taught in the earlier grades, seeking to reinforce and extend thinking skills. Advanced instruction in language arts and higher-level computational skills are the objectives. Science classes promote a more sophisticated and exploratory approach to environmental and life sciences, and social studies incorporate world history, geography, social justice and multiculturalism. Fine arts, world language, and physical education courses continue to support a holistic educational experience.

It is our privilege to educate all our students as to the real purpose in life--God. In all religion classes, our objective is to instill in the students the importance of moral and spiritual values found in the Gospel message. This will enable them to live full lives and to awaken in each child the desire to help those who are less fortunate by promoting Christian Brotherhood. Saints Philip and James School is dedicated to teaching love for God, the Church, Family life, Christian living, respect for life and the dignity and worth of self and others. We take pride in offering a program of study that is permeated with Christian values.

Electives 6, 7, 8

Continuing Spanish

6th, 7th, & 8th graders may continue their study of the Spanish language and culture outside of regular, weekly classes. This will be a more intense study with verb conjugation and sentence structure included. (Ms. Spence)

Public Speaking

Students will receive additional practice in Language Arts skills appropriate for their grade level. (Mrs. Budd)

Fath In Action

Organize our Virgin Mary statue's weekly visits to homes. Organize meditations, pray the Rosary for special intentions listed outside our chapel. (Mrs. Cicalese)

3-D Art

This course is designed to develop and refine three-dimensional design concepts, particularly through the understanding and appropriate use of available materials and tools. This class will enable students to experience a unique opportunity to develop motor, perceptual and cognitive skills. Projects will give students an opportunity to "build" and transform their ideas and designs into 3-dimensional pieces of artwork. Projects will include, but are not limited to, various works made of wood, metal, wire, paper, papier-mdche, linoleum, plaster, cardboard, and clay. (Miss Veal)

History Day Competition

(Dr. O'Sullivan)