Academics

St. Mary School provides a challenging, comprehensive, and relevant curriculum that reflects the school’s mission and philosophy. Its mission is to educate the students in a holistic manner that integrates academics and spirituality. It stands strongly behind its mission to educate the youth academically and spiritually in the Catholic, Salesian tradition of Reason, Religion and Loving-Kindness. Thus, it has become one of the driving forces behind the development of the Student Learning Expectations (SLEs) where it strives to instill spiritual values and provide opportunities for growth in the Catholic faith. In addition to its faith-based foundation, it also focuses on guiding the young to acquire the basic tools needed to continue their education and to lay the foundation for a useful, productive life, as reflected in the core subjects it teaches.

The core subjects include Religion, Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science. Additional subjects include Physical Education, Computer Science, Art, and music. The professional staff integrates these additional subjects in its curriculum throughout the year. The curriculum builds upon itself to achieve the desired outcome from the students according to the guiding words of the Salesian founder, St. John Bosco, to be “good Christians, and upright citizens,” empowering them with a joyful vision of home and of a better world. Throughout this document, the staff outlines the different ways in which St. Mary strives to meet these goals.

Technologies On Campus

St. Mary School has 2 computer labs: one for Kinder to Grade 2; another one for 3rd to 8th grades. Students from Kindergarten through second grade learn introductory computer skills and enhance their language arts curriculum through Writing to Read Program. Students from third grade through 8th grades learn a variety of computer skills with the support of the computer teacher. A variety of software, such as MS Word, MS Excel and PowerPoint.

Mathletics

St. Mary’s students join the Mathletics Program. Mathletics is America’s No. 1 Math Website. It helps students enjoy Math and improve results. It is an essential curriculum-based resource for students at school and at home. As of March 2011, there are 5.3 million students from 226 countries registered to take part. Some 56,082 schools participated in 2010.

This is easy to use. Students can access the Math program 2 hours a day and 7 days a week. It provides a perfect link between home and school where the results flow seamlessly. Students are motivated and engaged. They are able to work through the curriculum at their own pace.

Title 1

A full time Title I teacher helps the students in need of reading and reading comprehension.

Tutoring

Our teachers stay after school different days and hours to tutor our students. Some of our own 6th, 7th and 8th grade students offer their services after school by tutoring our primary grades students to learn more, to feel confident and to get ready for the next grade.

Instructional Volunteers

A Salesian sister, 2 lay people are also available during the day to voluntarily assist our students in various areas, such as, Mathematics, and Language Arts.