CURRICULUM & STANDARDS
"An excellent Catholic school has a clearly articulated, rigorous curriculum aligned with relevant standards, 21st century skills, and Gospel values, implemented through effective instruction."
(Standard 7 of the National Standards and Benchmarks for effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools, NCEA)
Courses of Study
Courses of study are created with the Catholic school mission and philosophy as a guide. The courses of
study are created under the direction of the Office of Catholic Schools by teachers and administrators.
Benchmarks
-
Adheres to appropriate, delineated standards and is vertically-aligned
-
Standards are adopted across the curriculum and integrates religious, spiritual, moral, and ethical dimensions
-
21st Century learning which prepares students to be creative, reflective, literate, critical and moral evaluators, problem solvers, decision makers, and socially responsible citizens
-
21st Century learning which prepares students to be expert users of technology, able to create, publish, and critique digital products
-
Instruction addresses affective dimensions such as intellectual and social dispositions, relationship building and habits of mind
-
Instruction should engage and motivate all students, addressing the diverse needs and accommodating students as fully as possible
Ark Assessment
Testing Window: March 21-April 14 | Grades 2-8
The ARK assessment is an opportunity to understand how well our students are grasping key aspects of their
religious education, fostering not only academic knowledge but also spiritual growth.
The ARK test is designed to evaluate students’ understanding and retention of important religious teachings. Results from this assessment will guide our educators in continuing to nurture each student’s faith journey, identifying areas where we may offer additional support, and celebrating the strengths your child demonstrates in their understanding of faith. This assessment serves as a tool for spiritual and academic reflection rather than as a graded examination. The insights gained help us to enhance our religious education program and ensure that we are nurturing a strong foundation of faith and understanding.
STAR (Standardized Testing & Reporting)
Fall, Winter & Spring Testing | Grades K-8 | Reading & Math
STAR (Standardized Testing and Reporting) assessments are an important tool that helps us understand each student’s academic
progress in key areas like reading and math. The results from these assessments provide valuable insights into how we can best
support and tailor instruction to meet each student’s needs.
The STAR assessments are designed to be adaptive, meaning the questions adjust to each student’s performance level. This helps us get a clear picture of their strengths as well as areas where additional support may be needed. Each assessment is relatively short, and students complete them on a computer during school hours.The results from STAR assessments are not used for grading purposes but serve as a valuable tool for teachers, administrators, and you as parents to understand your child’s growth over time.
This information also allows us to monitor their progress toward end-of-year goals.