Curriculum

St. Mary School

Curriculum at Saint Mary School

At St. Mary School, we strive share the traditions of Catholicism through faithful service to others, and to build enduring academic foundations that foster the growth of individual gifts in a 21st century learning environment.

Religion

The goal of our catechetical efforts is to foster an environment that helps a Catholic Christian develop in knowing, practicing, and continuing to grow in the understanding of and teachings of Jesus and of the Catholic Church that we inherited from Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. It is in the Catholic Christian community, in its prayer and sacred liturgies and in its lived experience, that students will continue to learn how to live the challenge of the Catholic faith so as to help build God’s Kingdom of justice, peace, and love.

 

The course of study offers standards in the areas of: Evangelization and Missionary Discipleship, Knowledge of Faith, Liturgy and Sacraments, Morality, Christian Prayer, and Community Life. Under each standard are major objectives for that specific area. These objectives are placed on a chart showing when they are to be introduced, developed, mastered, and maintained. Each of these objectives has grade level indicators which show what students in that grade should know and what skills they should practice.

 

Every day at St. Mary’s begins with prayer. Students also pray as they begin different academic classes. All students are encouraged to participate in service learning, and religious values and lessons are integrated into every aspect of the school day.

Mathematics

The goal of mathematics is to produce mathematically literate individuals who can function in a world of increasing moral and technological complexity. To meet this challenging goal, the students in the Diocese of Columbus Catholic Schools will need to develop problem-solving skills as well as employ the knowledge of their Catholic faith. Students are presented with a sequential development of mathematical concepts. The Mathematics Course of Study for the Diocese and the Academic Content Standards for the State of Ohio are the foundation of all instruction, assessment and evaluation. The math program involves an interplay among strands in numbers and number concepts, computation and estimation, algebra, geometry, data analysis, measurement, and problem solving. Students see mathematics as an interdisciplinary problem solving tool and as a critical skill for providing a variety of career options, as a universal language and as an art.

Science

The purpose of science education in our Catholic Schools is to facilitate learning so students will actively apply scientific knowledge and skills to contemporary, technological, moral, and social issues. This is accomplished by recognizing God’s design and promoting personal responsibility.

 

The science curriculum provides minds-on, as well as hands-on opportunities for students to become scientifically literate. The board areas covered include Life Science, Earth Science and Physical Science. It will also build a foundation for lifelong discovery in science as well as other disciplines.

Social Studies

Through the study of people, places, events, and issues of the social sciences, the students at St. Mary School become active, participating citizens and decision makers in a diverse society. As an integrative core of the curriculum, cultural studies, geography, economics, political science, and civics all come to life. It is through active learning and discussing the social sciences that the student can examine world events through the lens of Catholic Social Teaching. The student will emerge as a knowledgeable, thoughtful, and discerning citizen who is prepared to actively shape the future of the nation, local and global communities, and the Catholic Church.

English Language Arts

Communication skills are among the most critical skills our students learn. The ability to read, write, listen, view, speak, and utilize informational and technological resources has a direct bearing on the quality of their lives. More than any other, the ability to communicate defines the parameters of a student’s potential to learn in the future. The skills become art when students are able to apply the communication skills they have learned in an integrated fashion and in conjunction with other academic disciplines.

 

Language learning occurs in a literate environment where students read, write, listen, view, and utilize technology for real purposes and audiences as well as for traditional purposes. Students surrounded by all forms of integrated language will become competent in all the language processes.

 

Our teachers take an integrated, balanced approach to language arts instruction. Their knowledge of current research in language arts, child development, and Catholic teaching guide their selection of materials and choice of instructional methods.

Related Arts

All students have weekly art, library, computer, and music classes. Additionally, all students have physical education classes twice a week. These courses help to enrich the lives of our students and offer a well-rounded curriculum that supports the spiritual, emotional, physical, and academic growth of our students.