| |
Curriculum
Educating the Whole Child
- Preschool through Eight Grade
In preschool and in kindergarten, learning centers divide classrooms, letting children make choices freely
and independently.
 Equipment, toys, and other materials in the centers allow each child to choose his/her most comfortable way to learn. Activities are designed to stimulate and excite children as they advance at their own pace.
Children are encouraged to explore all areas, helping them to develop the skills needed for future success in reading and math. Play, to children, is their “work.” This approach makes learning fun and natural.
Elementary Education is divided by approach and philosophy into two distinct programs. The Primary Education program consists of grades One and Two, and the Upper Elementary Education program consists of grades Three, Four, and Five.
First and Second grade classrooms are also movement/experience oriented. Learning centers for
 math, writing, art, and listening help meet the developmental needs of each child. Oral language is emphasized along with a phonics-based approach to reading. Teachers assist students in developing skills necessary for social as well as academic success.
St. John's Upper Elementary Education program is considered transitional in that it seeks to prepare students for a rigorous middle school experience. Here the emphasis shifts away from developmental concerns, concrete manipulation of materials, and the learning of basic skills and concepts towards the application of those skills and concepts at a higher, more abstract
 level. This results in an effort to develop an array of study skills as well as an emphasis on specific knowledge and concepts within each discipline. However, a warm and caring Christian atmosphere is maintained, including chapel and religious studies. The emphasis in a "Character Counts" program shifts to ethics and responsibilities.
In the Middle School, Grades Six through Eight, students experience the benefits of having different teachers with special expertise in the core subjects, while traveling from class to class in a small and supportive environment. Students have a core series of classes--Science, History, Mathematics, Spanish, Literature, and Language Arts. They attend Chapel and classes in Computer Technology, Religion, and Physical Education several times a week, and may choose from various elective offerings each nine weeks. Students have a long daily lunch and break period as well. The challenging curriculum and organizational requirements help prepare them for future success in high school.
|
|
