Academic Program

Young learners are naturally inquisitive and enthusiastic. Our teachers spark this natural curiosity when they illuminate meaningful connections between subjects through interdisciplinary, project-based learning. Integration of age-appropriate study skills, such as active listening and note-taking, takes place across all the disciplines and shapes good study habits that will last a lifetime. Finally, consistent access to educational technology provides opportunities for creative teaching and learning and enhances students’ skills and confidence.

As students mature, our teachers work with them in groups and as individuals to develop more specialized skills and to take greater responsibility for their own learning. Working, listening, sharing, and playing together are important activities in grades K to second grde, resulting in readiness and enthusiasm for learning. The curriculum in third through sixth grades reinforces and builds on basic skills and provides opportunities to develop both independent study habits and cooperative learning skills. Grades four through six require more rigorous individual study, as students learn to accept greater responsibility for their own learning.

Core Content

Academic instruction includes sequential courses of study in reading, language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and Spanish, as well computer science, physical education, and library science. Independent reading is encouraged at every grade level, allowing students to explore areas of individual interest. Religion is a focus of study while also being woven throughout every subject as a natural part of life. The ultimate goal of Saint Benedict Academy’s curriculum is to lay the foundation for a lifetime love of learning and love of God.

Read the curriculum overview
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Enrichment and Extracurricular Activities

Enriching the academic experience at Saint Benedict Academy are weekly liturgies, library visits, spirit-building assemblies, culminating academic field-trips, and a yearly Science fair for students in grades four to six. In addition, Saint Benedict Academy offers regular required enrichment opportunities and optional extra-curricular athletic activities.

Library

The library is a focal point of the school, rich in multi-media resources for students and teachers including an impressive collection of fiction and non-fiction books, periodicals, reference materials, DVDs and videos, and other learning materials. Young students come to the library for enjoyable story-time experiences, and teachers in all grades coordinate with our librarian to integrate classroom library time with current units of study. Computers with Internet access provide another portal for student research. By the end of the primary years, students understand the organization of the library and have mastered basic reference skills. In these ways, children come to understand libraries as places to cultivate a love of books, and ultimately as rich resources and collections of knowledge.

Technology

Technology is meaningfully integrated in every subject at Saint Benedict Academy. The intelligent combination of technology and education enhances teaching and learning while preparing young people for life in the 21st Century. Keyboarding and computer skills are developed in the course of using computers to complement academic units of study; classroom curriculum provides context and purpose for using technology. Beginning in the early grades, students focus on activities requiring keyboarding and word-processing skills. By the end of the primary grades, students in the upper grades use laptops in order to access primary source documents such as: artwork, photographs, and newspapers.

Assessment

Assessment is a powerful tool for parents and educators. Testing at Saint Benedict’s Academy is not done for its own sake or merely for the sake of reporting impressive numbers, but rather to assess a curriculum’s effectiveness and identify students’ areas of particular strength and weakness. Known as formative assessment, this process allows educators to learn from the results and design more customized approaches to teaching that best fit the needs of their students. Saint Benedict Academy administers the Terra Nova California Achievement Test once a year in grades two through six.

We recognize the great responsibility of educating young people and are honored that you are considering placing your children with us. For more information on our academic program, please contact Sister Betty, principal.