Elementary Program Philosophy and Approach
With the superior social, spiritual and cognitive foundation that students have received in our early childhood program, they are well prepared to enter the primary grade levels at Immaculate Conception School. It is the goal of our primary teachers to teach students the core skills in all subject areas in order to be well equipped for the middle school years.
Immaculate Conception School offers an educational opportunity that is excellent by any measure. The curriculum is geared to exceed state standards for education and employs the most current and proven creative teaching methods available. We enjoy student-teacher ratios of 12:1 or less in each classroom. The faculty is highly qualified and committed, and many hold a master’s degree in education or are currently pursuing that degree. A full-time music teacher and physical education teacher also form an integral part of the faculty. We also employ a full time Spanish teacher, and the city comes to life through the arts programs offered through Urban Gateways and by our own parent volunteers.
Immaculate Conception School uses innovative educational approaches to further the goal of developing critical thinkers and problem solvers. Great attention has been given to the physical spaces in which our children move and learn. Classrooms are arranged into centers and other cooperative groupings presenting opportunities for students to create and discover. In this physical setting, talented faculty members encourage our children to observe, to experiment, to make choices and to be active. The curriculum uses an integrated and interdisciplinary approach to reinforce and extend skills learned in a particular subject and to make connections among subjects. Learning is further reinforced in the home with projects that incorporate the entire family. It is this continuum of education that creates a unique and family-like school of the highest caliber.
The middle school students are exposed to material including multi-step problem solving, ratios, integers, proportions, and scientific notations. These students will ultimately be prepared to learn pre-algebra in seventh grade and algebra in eighth grade, hence preparing them to move into geometry or algebra II in high school.
At the sixth grade level there is a detailed study of world history followed by United States history and government in seventh and eighth grades. Students will also prepare for the Constitution exam that is required before graduation.
All students are exposed to music theory, instrumental instruction and learn a variety of liturgical, classical and contemporary music. The physical education curriculum strives to develop lifelong positive attitudes and habits towards physical fitness and achieving a healthy lifestyle. Spanish is introduced two days each week at the preschool level and becomes a core subject in seventh and eighth grade. Multicultural music, dance, visual arts and drama are taught by professional artists through our partnership with Urban Gateways, and volunteer parent instructors visit each classroom on a regular basis to lead discussions and offer projects highlighting the great works of visual arts at the Art Institute.
Immaculate Conception School offers an educational opportunity that is excellent by any measure. The curriculum is geared to exceed state standards for education and employs the most current and proven creative teaching methods available. We enjoy student-teacher ratios of 12:1 or less in each classroom. The faculty is highly qualified and committed, and many hold a master’s degree in education or are currently pursuing that degree. A full-time music teacher and physical education teacher also form an integral part of the faculty. We also employ a full time Spanish teacher, and the city comes to life through the arts programs offered through Urban Gateways and by our own parent volunteers.
Immaculate Conception School uses innovative educational approaches to further the goal of developing critical thinkers and problem solvers. Great attention has been given to the physical spaces in which our children move and learn. Classrooms are arranged into centers and other cooperative groupings presenting opportunities for students to create and discover. In this physical setting, talented faculty members encourage our children to observe, to experiment, to make choices and to be active. The curriculum uses an integrated and interdisciplinary approach to reinforce and extend skills learned in a particular subject and to make connections among subjects. Learning is further reinforced in the home with projects that incorporate the entire family. It is this continuum of education that creates a unique and family-like school of the highest caliber.
Our Curriculum
In our learning environment, students follow thematic study units that include language arts, science, mathematics, social studies, religion, music, Spanish, physical education and fine arts. At the primary level, two teachers instruct students in core curriculum subjects in self-contained classrooms that nurture a strong sense of self esteem and stimulate academic, emotional, social and spiritual development. At the middle school level, students move to various classrooms and have a variety of teachers who instruct them in a specific discipline. This middle school approach is exercised in order to properly prepare students for selective high school environments.Language Arts
The language arts curriculum encompasses reading, creative and expository writing, research, listening, speaking, spelling, phonics, vocabulary development, and handwriting. All students begin each day with journal writing as well as a daily oral language drill. At the middle school level there is a great emphasis placed upon the analysis, synthesis and evaluation of several genres in American and world literature. Additionally, it is a goal to develop a love for reading in all of our students.Science
The science curriculum emphasizes the important skills of observation, recording data, and predicting and drawing conclusions. Our hands-on approach incorporates science-related activities and field trips. The science curriculum at the primary level integrates life, physical, earth and space science, while the sixth, seventh and eighth grade science curriculum exposes students to an in-depth study of earth science, life science and physical science in that subsequent order. ICS graduates will be well prepared to take biology or a physical science in their freshman year of high school.Mathematics
The math curriculum allows students to understand the real world application of math concepts by connecting the physical world with the world of numbers through problem-solving and critical thinking skills. At the primary level, students explore a number of concepts that include number logic, geometric shapes and concepts, fractions, place value, time and measurement, symmetry, and the ability to read graphs.The middle school students are exposed to material including multi-step problem solving, ratios, integers, proportions, and scientific notations. These students will ultimately be prepared to learn pre-algebra in seventh grade and algebra in eighth grade, hence preparing them to move into geometry or algebra II in high school.
Social Studies
The social studies curriculum emphasizes the child’s place within the community and the world at large, promoting an appreciation for a multicultural society. Projects are integrated with geography and history units, with an emphasis on regional studies at the primary and early middle school levels.At the sixth grade level there is a detailed study of world history followed by United States history and government in seventh and eighth grades. Students will also prepare for the Constitution exam that is required before graduation.
Religion
Core Catholic values and scripture teachings are integrated into the daily curriculum and instruction. Students pray in large groups and individually. All students regularly participate in prayer services and liturgies. Catholic students also have the opportunity to prepare to receive the sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation as a part of their religious education. Our objective is to build faith-filled leaders in a secular world.Fine Arts
In order to enhance and integrate our curriculum, students meet with specialized teachers throughout the week who allow students to enrich their learning through physical education, music, drama, visual arts, dance, and Spanish.All students are exposed to music theory, instrumental instruction and learn a variety of liturgical, classical and contemporary music. The physical education curriculum strives to develop lifelong positive attitudes and habits towards physical fitness and achieving a healthy lifestyle. Spanish is introduced two days each week at the preschool level and becomes a core subject in seventh and eighth grade. Multicultural music, dance, visual arts and drama are taught by professional artists through our partnership with Urban Gateways, and volunteer parent instructors visit each classroom on a regular basis to lead discussions and offer projects highlighting the great works of visual arts at the Art Institute.