Nazareth Academy Grade School strives to provide a well-balanced curriculum aligned with the National, Pennsylvania State Standards and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Students are challenged to develop their full potential with an inquiring mind while giving special attention to the integration of Catholic values.

 

Grades One, Two, and Three
Emphasis is given to the spiritual values practiced. Good reading skills along with phonics are the foundation of learning. Teachers strive to build a solid base of mathematics and writing skills which are developed further in each grade. All students learn how to integrate technology into their learning which enhances all of the skills. Students in grade three receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. These grades are self-contained.

Grades Four and Five
At the intermediate level, organization and study skills are stressed. Emphasis is placed on the enhancement of writing and speaking skills throughout the curriculum. Mathematics is constantly challenged with Algebra, Geometry and Measurement. Departmentalizations begins in Grade Four with those students selected for the Honors Math program.

Grade Six, Seven, and Eight
At the middle school level, we focus on teaching students to find deeper meaning in their beliefs and practice of their faith. Effective communication skills along with creativity encourage and challenges the students to utilize their talents in projects, presentations and displays. Science, Math and Social Studies emphasize note taking, critical and deductive thinking, organization, experimentation and further developing study skills. Classes are fully departmentalized.

Nazareth Academy Grade School implements the Common Core State Standards for Reading and Writing adopted by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for grades one through eight. The application of online components with the text series has allocated more interactive and contemporary means of connecting students to the English and Language Arts material. Texts and supplemental materials are chosen to support and reflect these standards. The curriculum responds to meet the changing needs of students.
Emphasis is placed on the belief that there is a number of distinct forms of intelligence that each student possesses in varying degrees. Nazareth Academy Grade School subscribes to the belief that learning/teaching should focus on the particular intelligences of each student. Assessment should measure all forms of intelligence, not only linguistic and logical.
Throughout all the grade levels students are assessed in Reading, Grammar, Vocabulary, Spelling, Handwriting, and Unit Benchmarks. Trimester examinations are administered in grades seven and eight. Standardized Terra Nova testing in grades two through seven, writing portfolios, performance assessments, and oral/written presentations are implemented. In addition, Nazareth Academy Grade School participates in regional and local Spelling Bees. 

The Reading program partners in a variety of cross-curricular disciplines. The curriculum is interconnected among Phonics skills (lower grades), Vocabulary, Grammar, and Literature. The Reading program in the lower grades spirals through all grade levels. It is designed not only to address multiple learning styles but also to support multi-learning paves. In the upper grades, literature is genre-based with strong emphasis on trade books. Annual participation in Reading Olympics (grades five – eight), Reading Olympics for lower grades, and required involvement in classroom Literature Circles boost self- esteem, self-understanding through the written word, and enjoyment of all genres of literature.

 

The Honors ELA program for students in grades six, seven, and eight allows for academic diversity and challenge in this many faceted ELA program. 

The Mathematics curriculum at Nazareth Academy Grade School is developed and maintained in compliance with the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics adopted by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The Common Core State Standards provides specific in-depth curriculum guidelines according to the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and the Pennsylvania State Standards for the instruction of mathematics. An objective of the mathematics program is to prepare students for the study of Algebra 1 in eighth grade.

Honors Math begins in grade four to invited students. It is designed to challenge students to work at an accelerated pace. The program follows the seven strands set by the National Council of Mathematics.  Students are invited into this program based on Terra Nova Assessments, report cards, class test grades, classroom participation, behavior and teacher recommendation. The students in grades 5 - 8 are offered three leveled Math classes each day by dedicated Math teachers.

 The Social Studies curriculum at Nazareth Academy Grade School is developed and maintained in accordance with the Guidelines of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The ten thematic strands of the National Council for Social Studies are integrated throughout our Curriculum in grades one through eight. They are: 

The Science curriculum is developed in accordance with the Guidelines of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and designed to develop an appreciation for our world/environment that God created. Through the study of all aspects of science (Life, Earth, Physical) students develop a respect for all life.

STEAM fosters critical thinking through problem solving in all grades through opportunities for exploration, creativity and ingenuity.  

Grade 1: The students will be introduced to STEAM according to the Alphabet. This is a cross-curricular objective for the students to associate letters and words with their weekly projects.

Grades 2 - 4:  The students will be give thematic STEAM lessons in which to build, create and think outside the box. Creativity and imagination at work!

Grades 5 - 8: Each grade will be following the Next Generation Standards which will feature 5 to 7 STEAM-infused topics. 

Technology

Nazareth Academy Grade School's technology classes are filled with the thinkers, creators, and programmers of the future. Interactive Vibe boards in every classroom support the integration of technology across the curriculum to meet the challenge of technological complexity in today's society. Instruction is focused to meet students level. Students in grades 1 through 8 are issued a Chromebook and iPad to further support learning in the 21st century. 

The curriculum begins in first grade with the basic computer skills including safely operating a Chromebook and logging into the school network. Students learn keyboard typing, appropriate and safe use of the Internet, as well as how to create word documents, spread-sheets, and Power Point presentations utilizing both Google docs.

Technology Use and Monitoring
Nazareth Academy Grade School provides filtered internet access and utilizes monitoring systems (e.g., GoGuardian) to ensure student safety. The school reserves the right to monitor all activity conducted on school-issued devices and networks. Users must report any damage, misuse, or security concerns immediately. A replacement fee may be assessed for damaged devices.

The study of Latin is implemented in the ELA program for students in grades five through eight. Learning Latin strengthens basic English skills in vocabulary and reading comprehension. Studying Latin vocabulary brings students in contact with word roots, prefixes and suffixes which constitute 60% of all English words and 90% of those over two syllables long. Latin focuses on grammar which leads to improved English writing and communication. The value of learning Latin is immediate and helps increase standardized testing scores.

Spanish vocabulary, songs, written and oral exercises, and cultural aspects of Spanish-speaking nations are introduced in the primary grades and reinforced thereafter. The program is designed to introduce students to a foreign language gradually, providing the tools necessary for the eighth grade students to begin a Level I Spanish reader.
Students have the option to take a placement test for high school, where they may be placed in Spanish II in freshman year.

The study of Latin is implemented in the ELA program for students in grades five through eight. Learning Latin strengthens basic English skills in vocabulary and reading comprehension. Studying Latin vocabulary brings students in contact with word roots, prefixes and suffixes which constitute 60% of all English words and 90% of those over two syllables long. Latin focuses on grammar which leads to improved English writing and communication. The value of learning Latin is immediate and helps students with their standardized testing scores.

Music presents its own language and its message is unique to each of us. In addition to class and voice instruction, the students learn to play hand bells, choir chimes, sing in choir, take private lessons on the piano and take part in our Spring Arts Show. Involvement in performing arts builds self-confidence while encouraging teamwork and creative collaboration.

Physical Education gives the child the freedom and the discipline to develop an appreciation of a sound body through exercise, balance, health, sports, and coordination.  Emphasis is placed on good sportsmanship.

Health classes are held once a month for students in grades 1 - 8. A variety of age-appropriate topics are covered with the Physical Education teacher. 

 

Art inspires the free spirit in every child, it is discovered through the use of varied art media where the students are encouraged to create.