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About SJA
Academics/Curriculum
Curriculum encompasses the sequentially ordered learning experiences the school provides for its students. The total curriculum includes the development of Catholic values and attitudes, as well as the attainment of knowledge and skills necessary for the student’s spiritual, moral, intellectual, social and physical development.
St. John Academy uses the curriculum issued by the Office of Catholic Schools. The basic curriculum for the school (but not necessarily for each grade level) includes the following subjects: Religion, Reading, Language Arts (English, Spelling, Handwriting), Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Fine Arts (Art, Music, Band), Health and Safety, Physical Education, Computer Education, Library and Foreign Language.
Each classroom teacher is responsible for teaching the content and mastery of the skills assigned his/her particular grade or subject area. These are further enhanced by the teacher's commitment to integrate the curriculum into the texts chosen by the administration and faculty and to adjust the material to the particular student needs. This adjustment provides for both remediation and enrichment.
Pre-School
Half-day pre-school programs provide youngsters ages three to four, three days a week, with a balance of small- and large-group creative and learning activities, daily outdoor or indoor play, quiet time, and a wide range of developmentally appropriate projects. Young children are encouraged to develop their language and social skills as they interact, make new friends, and develop spiritually through a love of Christ and a growing religious understanding. Class sizes are limited and incorporate both a head teacher and an assistant at all times.
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Pre-Kindergarten
Half-day pre-kindergarten programs provide youngsters ages four to five expanded activities and a daily schedule that promotes active and positive interactions with their environment and their classmates. A balance of child-initiated and staff-initiated activities are provided, as well as alternating periods of quiet and active play, and small- and large-group experiences throughout the day. The understanding of basic religious principles and beliefs are deepened through everyday practices as spiritual development is integrated into the curriculum. Class sizes are limited and incorporate both a head teacher and an assistant at all times.
Learning goals include:
- fostering a positive self concept
- encouraging youngsters to think, reason, question, and experiment
- promoting the development of language and social skills
- nurturing creative expression and promoting an appreciation of the arts
- developing and demonstrating sound health, safety, and nutritional practices
- enhancing physical development and skills
- respecting and understanding cultural diversity
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Kindergarten
Our full-day kindergarten program promotes a nurturing, Christ-centered learning environment for young elementary students, with an emphasis on our Catholic faith and traditions. Children who reach their fifth birthday on or before September 30th are eligible for enrollment as kindergarteners at St. John Academy. There is no testing for entrance if the child has reached the required age. Subjects covered in our kindergarten program include:
- Reading and Language Arts
- Math development
- Music and Art
- Social Studies
- Science
- Religion
- Computer skills
- Library
- Physical Education
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Elementary & Middle School
Elementary and middle school students at SJA are presented with a variety of opportunities to build and develop their spiritual lives as they grow closer to Christ, and meet the challenges of our thorough diocesan curriculum. Learning is inspired in our students beginning in the elementary grades as teachers create engaging lesson plans based on curriculum-mandated learning objectives. Middle school students further develop their study skills, and learn other effective homework habits — to meet academic demands, and prepare for the rigors of high school.
Religion
St. John Academy’s comprehensive religious education program emphasizes formation in the Roman Catholic faith, with a focus on the liturgical calendar. Students participate in the devotional life of the Church, including a weekly school Mass, and the opportunity to receive the sacrament of Penance weekly. In addition to the example set by their extraordinary Catholic lay teachers, students receive periodic instruction from their parish priests and members of other religious communities.
Math
Mathematics is one of the core content areas taught to all students. Students sequentially develop skills in understanding numbers and number sense, computation of whole numbers, decimals, fractions, percents, geometry, problem solving, probability, statistics, patterns, graphs, measurement, functions and algebra. The curriculum is spiraled from kindergarten to fifth grade. This method helps students continuously review concepts already taught while learning new concepts.
The math curriculum in the middle school is a rigorous pre-algebra program. The focus is arithmetic, with particular attention placed on fractions, percents, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of positive and negative numbers, square roots, and the foundations of geometry. Students solve problems collaboratively and individually.
Science
Through the use of hands-on inquiry and the scientific method, students explore components of all of the major scientific disciplines. Students in kindergarten through sixth grade survey the general science areas to include physical, earth, and life sciences. Seventh grade science focuses on life processes and eighth-grade students are introduced to chemistry and physics. Students in fifth through eighth grade are taught in the newly renovated science lab. Students in kindergarten through fourth grade are provided supplemental laboratory experiences on a rotating basis. Field trips, coupled with visiting science demonstrations, the school science fair and the Diocesan science fair, reinforce concepts emphasized in the curriculum.
Social Studies
Various learning strategies include purposeful reading, outlining, note taking, critical thinking and discussion. Multiple assessment measures are used to gauge student performance, including quizzes, tests, research and oral reports, debates, interviews, models, drawings and exhibits. Integration of Social Studies with other curriculum occurs regularly with Language Arts, Science, Math and Technology.
Language Arts and Reading
Basic writing skills, including grammar and punctuation, are emphasized in the Language Arts subject area. Journal writing, poetry, reports, plays, brochures, cookbooks, science projects, math word problems, and charts are some of the many ways SJA students are involved in writing. Students learn editing and revising skills and often work with peers. Learning to listen and speak effectively is another important component of language arts.
The goal primary curriculum goal of the Reading program is to have students understand, appreciate, and enjoy fine literature while becoming successful readers in the process. Phonics, spelling, grammar, comprehension and writing are part of the daily activity in the lower grades. Creative writing, research projects and oral presentations are used to enhance reading. Active reading strategies teach students how to think as they read and connect the printed word to their own experiences. Student book reports and engaging lessons that focus on plot, main character, setting, focus on specific details in stories and books help students learn about the writing process, and components of stories. Students also participate in the “Accelerated Reading” and “Great Books” programs, and have access to SRA reading kits.
Health / Physical Education
SJA views physical education as an integral part of a holistic Catholic educational process. SJA promotes and models lifetime wellness by teaching sound guidelines for a healthy lifestyle. Students are taught to respect their bodies and understand the importance of making good choices regarding eating and exercising.
Music
The SJA music program is centered on the Ward method, a composition of music training founded in Gregorian chant. This method teaches all elements of music that includes rhythm, pitch, notation, composition and conducting through movement and singing. The student Treble Choir practices three days a week and performs at Church and school functions.
Art
The art program emphasizes a cross-curricular approach. Various media and techniques are used to stimulate the students to think creatively and communicate their feeling and ideas through the production of various forms of artwork.
Technology
SJA uses an engaging, project-oriented approach to captivate students, and involve them more deeply. Students are actively engaged in learning the practical applications of software through verbal and visual cues, and hands-on activities. Research, writing, and math skills are emphasized throughout various projects as the use of technology is integrated into the classroom curriculum when possible.
Elementary students learn keyboarding skills, how to develop a PowerPoint presentation, how to safely research on the Internet, and how to put together a publication. Middle school students build on these skills and further learn how to use and create spreadsheets, design marketing materials for promotional ventures, write HTML, and design simple Web pages.
Use of digital photography, desktop publishing, and other practical skills enables students to produce such products as recipe books, calendars, Christmas cards, and promotional brochures. Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access are some of the practical applications the students learn to use.
Library
St. John Academy’s library offers 14,500 volumes and programs including “Battle of the Books” for fifth and sixth graders. “Bookworm Club,” “Accelerated Readers,” and “Junior Great Books” programs are offered for students in grades one through four. An “Accelerated Readers” program is also available for students in kindergarten through third grade, along with monthly research questions. An easy-to-use catalog search engine is installed on five computers. The Internet is also available on all the computers, and all Internet access and activity is carefully screened and monitored.
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