Academics

St. Patrick Catholic 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.

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
The music program at St. Patrick Catholic School focuses on the application of musical theory rather than a static, book-driven curriculum. While a textbook is utilized, it is employed in a dynamic setting where concepts are taught and reinforced by actual performance (singing and otherwise). The students are further educated through their participation in the various shows (Christmas Program, Grandparents' Day, Summer Fever) and school liturgies which are conducted throughout the school year. These unique events, combined with classroom instruction, provide opportunities to learn not only thoery, but dramatic performance, expression and appreciation. In short, St. Patrick Catholic School offers its music education through a thorough and comprehensive applied music education.

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 Catholic 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.

Sonday Reading
The Sonday Program provides supplemental reading instruction to struggling or relunctant readers in grades K-6.

Reading Smart
Reading Smart is offered as an enrichment class for 7th and 8th graders. It provides students with advanced techniques to improve their reading and helps them to build their reading speed and retention levels. Further, students can gauge their progress with helpful reading exercises throughout the course. Students also learn important organizational strategies. All instruction is intended to provide an added level of academic support.

Testing
The following tests are administered each year:
Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (Fall) - Grades 1-8
Otis-Lennon School Ability Test (Fall) - Grades 3, 4 & 7
ACRE Testing - Grades 5 & 8

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.