Saint Mary Academy’s curriculum follows regulations specified by the Kentucky State Department of Education and the curriculum framework developed by the Archdiocese of Louisville. The Archdiocese of Louisville has adopted a framework based on Common Core Standards for English/Language Arts, the Next Generation Science Standards, the New York State Framework for Social Studies, and the National Teaching of Mathematics for math. Saint Mary Academy faculty provides intervention and acceleration in order to meet student needs. Our goal is for each and every student to progress according to the best of his/her ability.
A copy of the Archdiocese Curriculum Handbook is available on the Louisville Archdiocese website.
Language Arts consists of reading and writing. In grades K-5, teachers utilize the Amplify Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) program. Built on the Science of Reading, CKLA sequences deep content knowledge with research-based foundational skills. The curriculum combines rich diverse knowledge in history, science, literature, and the arts with systematic research-based foundational skills instruction that equips students with rich knowledge that intentionally builds to inspire curiosity and drive results. In grades K-2, teachers use the University of Florida Literacy Institute (UFLI) curriculum to teach foundational reading skills including phoneme blending, decoding, encoding, and spelling irregular words. Students at the elementary level are individually assessed to determine strengths and needs in reading.
In grades 6-8, teachers utilize Amplify ELA to support students in tackling complex text and making observations, grappling with interesting ideas, and finding relevance for themselves. The blended English language arts curriculum is designed specifically to support middle school students and prepare them for high school and beyond. Students are engaged through dynamic texts, lively classroom discussions, and meaningful digital experiences. They develop ideas and opinions on relevant, real-world, texts. Multiple entry points and differentiated supports allow every student, regardless of fluency or ability level, to engage deeply with the same complex texts and rigorous curriculum. Writing and reading skills are also embedded in the content area of work - science, social studies, and religion.
Students in K-5 develop conceptual understanding of skills, automaticity of math facts, math reasoning and communication of thinking, and flexible strategies for problem-solving. We incorporate hands-on learning and give students opportunities to build and explore with manipulatives to understand math concepts before teaching them a standard algorithm. Students in sixth-grade work on building on the basic skills taught in K-5. Students in seventh grade take pre-algebra and eighth graders take Algebra.
Our K-5 science program follows the guide of the Next Generation Science Standards approach of exploring concepts through hands-on experiences first. After this exploration and discovery, students deepen their understanding through reading, videos, and teacher direction. Students experience hands-on and collaborative learning throughout each unit.
Middle school Science begins each unit by working through information in the interactive science book and with direct teaching. Students conduct labs and hands-on experiences to enrich the learning for students.
Social Studies K-8 instruction includes an inquiry approach, with students exploring the the content and answers to inquiry in a variety of ways (projects, collaboration with peers, research, discussion, videos, and the new text series that was chosen by Saint Mary Academy.) The framework includes topics for exploration each year with a focus on engaged citizenship.
Students participate in daily prayer, reflection, and specific Catholic Doctrine teaching at all grade levels. Each grade level has a Stewardship focus. Grade levels participate in a variety of activities to address community needs based on the stewardship focus. In collaboration with Saint Bernadette, students have opportunities to participate in weekly liturgy, the stations of the cross, adoration, and reconciliation. Sacramental preparation occurs in grades 2 (Reconciliation and First Eucharist) and 8 (Confirmation).