St. Bernard Academy is well respected for the academic achievement demonstrated by its graduates on an annual basis. The curriculum at St. Bernard Academy is designed to challenge all learners. In our lower school elements of Montessori are incorporated into the Kindergarten program and are integrated to foster independent thinking and cultivate decision making skills. The core subject periods (Math, Reading and Language Arts) provide opportunity for some students to work beyond their chronological ages. The remaining subject areas are designed to accommodate the individual needs of the students through the use of differentiated instruction.
COURSE OFFERINGS
Art
The visual arts curriculum encourages personal expression and includes cognitive and motor skill development. The program guides the students in the two main areas of the discipline: art history and art making. Multi-cultural and cross-curricula projects are incorporated into the curriculum.
Language Arts
The language arts curriculum empowers students with a pervasive command of speaking and writing skills in order to become confident, adept communicators. Students are engaged in multiple types of writing assignments and engage in peer and self assessment. Teachers use rubrics for evaluation as well. A full spectrum of spelling and grammatical skills, along with handwriting skills gives the students a competent command of the English language.
Mathematics
The mathematics instructional program follows the content and process standards as defined by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Students learn to problem solve through experience with numbers, quantity, measurement and the application of theses principles to practical problems. The curriculum encompasses kindergarten skills through lower level high school courses.
Physical Education
The focus of the physical education department is to develop general locomotor, manipulative, and non-manipulative skills and build them into specific skills for sport. Teaching sportsmanship and knowledge of the rules of sports is included. Healthy and nutrition lifestyles are also part of the program.
Reading
St. Bernard Academy’s reading curriculum is based on the national standards as proposed by the National Council of Teachers of English. The reading curriculum begins with a strong emphasis on literature. Exposure to selections drawn from all of the main literary genres and historical periods broaden an understanding of the diversity of human experiences. Word identification strategies and vocabulary skills are stressed. Comprehension skills and strategies also include interpreting and evaluating the material. The curriculum includes vocabulary development.
Religion
The religion curriculum focuses on the Catechism of the Catholic Church: Creed, Liturgy, Sacraments, Morality and Prayer. In addition to the instructional model the formational model emphasized by the Bishops of the United States in the National Directory for Catechesis is used. Service, in the tradition of the Sisters of Mercy, is an integral part of the program.
Science
The science curriculum is based on the National Science Education Standards. It emphasizes conceptual understanding, investigation and practical reasoning. Hands on laboratory experiences enable the students to identify the interrelationships among science, math, technology and the social sciences. The curriculum progresses from learning who a scientist is and what he does, to a formal investigation into physical, earth, and life sciences.
Social Studies
The social studies curricula stimulate and support an interest in past events by demonstrating their connection to present and future issues. Utilizing the six major themes of social studies- geography, history, civics, government, economics and culture, students work to acquire and apply the skills necessary for historical comprehension, analysis and evaluation. This includes an understanding of key cultural, political, social economic and geographic factors.
Technology
The technology curriculum enables the younger student to develop typing skills, research academic web sites and use the Internet for cross-curricula activities. As students progress they learn to use Power Point presentation, develop web sites, and use the Internet for in-depth assignments. Sites are used with classes for pertinent material.
World Language
The world language department offers Spanish and French. At the end of the 5th level a student declares which language he/she will study for the next three years. The freshman high school text is used during these years. The curricula help students develop linguistic proficiency and cultural sensitivity as they learn oral and written skills as they prepare to participate in a global society.
