CURRICULUM
Curriculum
St. Patrick Parish School follows the curriculum guidelines set by the Diocese of San Diego. The curriculum, aligned with the California State Framework, covers all basic academic areas. Additionally, special programs are offered during the school week in technology, music, art, Spanish, and physical education.
ACADEMIC PROGRAM
The following subjects are taught at St. Patrick Parish School:
Religion
Daily religious instruction in the Catholic faith is an intregal part of the educational program for all students at all grade levels. Catholic traditions, prayers, practices are interwoven with the Gospel message throughout the day.
Sacramental preparation takes place during the Second Grade. Parents, as the child's primary religious educator, are responsible for a major part of this preparation and must attend orientation meetings to help them carry out this responsibilty.
Students will attend the morning Parish Mass every Friday at 8:15 am with their class (grades1-8). Once per month the school community will celebrate a Mass, which will be prepared by teachers and students. Parents are encouraged to join the school in prayer. For a schedule of school Masses refer to the school calendar and weekly newsletter.
Music
Music is a vital part of-the curriculum at St. Patrick Parish School. All students at St. Patrick Parish School participate in a 45 minute music class each week. Classes are held in a beautiful new music room completed in 2003 with money raised during the school auction! Each music class is comprised of a minimum of three components. Our music teacher, Mrs. Gail Beall, prepares students for our monthly all school Mass and prayer services which our school community celebrates with much singing and praises to God.
But singing is only part of what students study in Music class. They study composers, learn about the orchestra and, of course, learn the language of music and music theory. Along the way, students often have the opportunity to use their own creative expression both in the classroom and when they perform in three annual school music programs: the Christmas program, the Grandparent's Day program, and the Spring Fling.
The school choir also meets once a week. Students in the school choir sing for local community events and help with the music for school Masses and Prayer Services.
Spanish
Students in grades K-8 participate in weekly Spanish lessons. In the Junior High, students participate in two 45-minute classes. Grades K-6 participate in a single weekly lesson.
Technology
St. Patrick Parish School provides students an integrated computer technology program. Along with a weekly forty-five minute computer class, the students have access to the computer lab before and after school. The program provides a challenging, comprehensive, and relevant curriculum for each student that fulfills the school’s purpose, strengthens Catholic identity, and results in student achievement. Strategies are developed that will raise the awareness of students regarding ethical and moral issues related to computer technology while at the same time nurturing the development of student expertise.
Along with the diocesan technology curriculum, the guidelines for students are divided into eleven different categories. Although organized by grade, it is important to note that the realization of the objectives could expand within a year or two of the extended grade level. Grade level expectations are aligned with the curriculum and challenge the students by encouraging them to work in the zone of proximal development. The guidelines are as follows: social and ethical practices, general computing knowledge, keyboarding, core-curriculum support, project-based learning, graphics, word processing, telecommunications, electronic presentations, database, and spreadsheets. These guidelines are not limitations, but the foundation for a well prepared computer literate student.
Art
Students in grades K-8 participate in weekly art classes following the Arts Attack curriculum.
Testing
The following tests are administered each year:
The results of these tests are to help the teacher and parents assess the academic progress of individual students, and to assist in making curriculum modifications to strengthen the academic program. They are not used to rank or set comparisions between students, or classes, nor to do so for the school as a whole.
Religion (including Family Life)
Mathematics
Language Arts (Writing, Spelling, English)
Reading
Social Studies
Science
Music
Technology/Computer
Physical Education
Spanish
Art
Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (Fall).............
Otis-Lennon School Ability Test (Fall)...
ACRE Testing....................................
Grades 1-8
Grades 3, 4 & 7
Grades 5 & 8
