Curriculum

Religious Education
The religious education program is the heart of the school’s educational mission. It has as its purpose to lead the student to a conscious, active and generous Christian life. Religion is a requirement for every student in all grades. Students in grade 2 are prepared for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion, and students in grade 8 will be prepared for the Sacrament of Confirmation.  In grades 1 through 3, we use the Blest Are We texts.  In grades 4 through 8, we use the Ignatius Press Faith and Life texts.

On Wednesday of each week, all students Kindergarten through eighth grades will attend a celebration of the Mass. (If there is a holy day during the week, the weekly Mass will be held on the holy day.) Seasonal penance services with individual confession will be provided for the Catholic student body. Other liturgical ceremonies may be included in the yearly calendar.

Throughout the liturgical year, we celebrate as a school with prayer, processions, or festivities the various feasts and seasons as celebrated by the universal Church: Triumph of the Cross, All Saints, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Advent, St. Nicholas, Immaculate Conception, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, May Crowning, and more.

Finally, all of us, as members of Prince of Peace Catholic School community, commit ourselves to be the best we can in our school, in our community and in our homes. Therefore, we pledge:

"As a member of Prince of Peace Catholic School, I will show respect for myself and others at all times. I will honor my work and the work of others, and I will work to the best of my ability for I have been made in the image and likeness of Jesus Christ."

This school pledge is to be memorized by all students.

Language Arts
The language arts curriculum consists of reading, writing, spelling, grammar, listening and speaking. The reading program at Prince of Peace Catholic School using the Open Court Series is intended to develop a love of reading through an integrated approach, which emphasizes skill development through phonics while exposing children to a variety of literary genres. Teachers encourage children to investigate problems, respond to questions, draw conclusions, converse civilly and write with clarity and coherence. Language arts resources include topic-related books in science and social studies and the use of literature in the teaching of reading. Quality literature promotes the development of vocabulary in addition to interpretive and evaluative thinking skills. It models excellent writing and exposes children to important symbols and ideas of the world.

Writing
Writing is emphasized in our language arts program and includes the essential elements of prewriting, drafting, conferencing, revising, editing and publishing. Writing pervades the curriculum as children record, analyze, interpret and evaluate in all subject areas. Students develop their own creative expression through letters, journals, stories, poems, songs and plays. For students in kindergarten through 4th grade, there is also handwriting instruction.

Mathematics
The mathematics program (using the Houghton Mifflin Program) places strong emphasis on a sequential program that will develop accuracy, understanding and facility in the fundamental process of computation as well as a thorough understanding of mathematical concepts and their application to problem solving.

Science
 The science program acquaints the student with the process and content of science, develops an appreciation of the physical world and fosters the spirit of inquiry through experimentation. Health and safety instruction is to be considered part of the science program.

Social Studies
 The social studies program helps students acquire a greater appreciation of the past, a better understanding of the present and how to move more wisely into the future according to Christian principles. Social science topics are integrated into the curriculum across all grade levels. Students explore themes ranging from the family to United States history. Age appropriate geography and map reading skills receive emphasis at each grade level.  In 5th and 6th grades, we will use history texts from the Catholic Schools Textbook Project.

Physical Education
 Every student participates in a program of physical education. Prince of Peace Catholic School’s physical education program helps the students grow physically, mentally and socially. The goals of the physical education program are to promote students’ physical development, encourage development of motor skills, instill proper attitudes toward play, establish desirable habits of personal health and safety and offer opportunities for participation.

Music\Art
 Music and art programs contribute to the aesthetic growth of the student.  Students learn basic principles of music and music performance (reading music, rhythm, pitch, choral performance).  With art education, students exercise their creativity on various enjoyable projects while learning basic principles of art (form, color, contrast, texture, value, and perspective).  They learn about and imitate in their own ways the masters of the western art world (like Michelangelo, DaVinci, Raphael, Matisse, and more).

Spanish\Latin
Students in grades K to 2 take Spanish one day per week, and in 3 and 4 two days per week to familiarize themselves with a foreign language.  In 7th and 8th grades, students will take Spanish 5 days per week in order to master high school level I Spanish by the end of 8th grade.  Students in 5th and 6th grades will study Latin 3 days per week in conjunction with English grammar in order to improve grammar, vocabulary and sentence analysis skills.  The National Committee for Latin and Greek makes a good case for the study of Latin in American schools as a way to improve language skills.  Knowing Latin also serves us as Catholic faithful.  The Catholic News Service reports that Pope Benedict XVI invites Catholics throughout the world to learn traditional prayers in Latin.