St. Francis Parish School provides excellence in Catholic education by preparing
critical thinking, disciplined, active
Christian leaders. Our curriculum is based on strong State and National Educational Standards and
delivered using
evidence based teaching strategies. Our school is committed to Chromebook integrated learning so
that our students can
develop digital literacy and keyboarding skills which are essential tools for successful 21st
century learning. We are
encouraging Social Emotional growth through a new Catholic program Friendzy.
We build catholic
identity through our
actions, practicing monthly virtues, and with the support of our religion program with Sadlier,
Christ in Us (K-5) &
Sadlier, We Believe curriculum
(6-8).
The other core subjects taught include reading/literature, English, math,
science, social studies, PLTW
(STEM), as well
as enrichment programs like art, music, physical education, and handwriting. A variety of teaching
methods and
assessments are used for these subjects. Courses are delivered with direct instruction as well as
via Google Classroom
with Chromebooks for integrated technology. All students, K-8, are taught the Saxon Math curriculum
which spirals by
constantly reviewing what students have previously learned. Math STAR tests show our 8th grade
students typically score
at the high school level or above. Our English Language Arts (ELA) programs vary by grade level. K-2
uses Superkids
which is a comprehensive reading program engaging students with different characters as they learn
new sounds and take
off reading. Grades 3-5 use HMH Journeys and 6-8 uses Collections. We also supplement Grammar in
grades 3-8 using
lessons from Voyages in English. For
the past 3 years we have incorporated the Jane Schaffer Writing
Method as our
school wide writing program. We also supplement math and ELA through online activities on Freckle.
In K-4 we use Studies
Weekly and outside resources for social studies and science. In 5th grade science we are
piloting a
hands on curriculum,
Foss, and in 6-8th we now use Amplify Science, which was designed
and developed by educators from UC
Berkeley’s Lawrence
Hall of Science. Our Spanish curriculum is delivered using direct instruction along with popular
programs like Duolingo
and Rosetta Stone.