Curriculum
The Saint Agnes curriculum is based upon the Archdiocesan Curriculum Framework established by the Archdiocese of Louisville. This framework is aligned with National Standards and with the Learner Goals and Academic Expectations established by the Department of Education of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Adherence to this standards-based curriculum is a requirement for our ongoing accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Kentucky Non-Public Schools Commission.
Religion program: The heart of the curriculum of Saint Agnes Catholic School is the religion program that is designed to provide students with an understanding of Catholic doctrine, scripture, and tradition. There is emphasis on the development of a personal relationship with God through many opportunities for prayer. Students attend Mass weekly, have opportunities to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and prepare and attend prayer services related to Church seasons or special celebrations. Teachers and parents work together to prepare students for their First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation. Saint Agnes School follows the National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Schools developed in 2012 by the Center for Catholic School Effectiveness, School of Education, Loyola University of Chicago in partnership with Roche Center for Catholic Education, Lynch School of Education, Boston College.
Stewardship Program: Students in Kindergarten through eighth grade regularly participate in our Step-by-Step Stewardship Program through stewardship projects. Each grade level has a particular area of focus for stewardship education and service. Saint Agnes Catholic Parish community groups and individuals intentionally seek opportunities to connect with teachers and students in ways to support and form a Christian mindset of caring for one another and for our common home. All students correspond with parish friends who are either new to our community, who have experienced a change in their life, or who are elderly or ill in our parish community. Students also participate in ongoing food collection for the parish St. Vincent DePaul pantry and our middle school students have regular opportunities to serve at a local lunch program for the homeless or other on outreach service projects with the Saint Agnes School campus Director of Youth Ministry.
Saint Agnes recognizes a responsibility to prepare students for the Information Age. For this reason, the Library/Media/Technology Department is integrally connected with every other area of curriculum, working to ensure that students can access information, analyze resources, integrate knowledge and ideas responsibly, and create and present effectively. As highly skilled developers of curriculum, the Technology Coordinators and the Library-Media Specialist meet regularly with faculty members to design integrated units of study utilizing the extensive Saint Agnes library, media center within the library, technology lab, mobile iPad cart, 1:1 iPad program for 7th & 8th grades, as well as our broadcast studio.
The Language Arts, consisting of Reading/Literature, Writing, Vocabulary, Grammar and Spelling, are taught as an integrated whole from Kindergarten through Grade 8. Literature is used as the starting point for writing activities. Saint Agnes has an extensive library/media center to support students in becoming lifelong readers. A writing curriculum ensures that students have the opportunity to learn to write in many genres as well. Grammar is taught in the context of writing, with grammar texts available for targeted skill practice. Vocabulary development is maximized by combining the use of texts in grades 4-8 designed to teach classical roots, and targeted vocabulary experiences integrated K-8. The use of texts and literature-based word walls and activities allow for Spelling/Vocabulary development in the early grades.
Mathematics instruction targets both computation and reasoning. Younger students often use manipulatives to increase their understanding. All teachers of math use vocabulary and strategies that familiarize the students with algebraic concepts. All of the eighth grade students take Algebra I, and many students receive high school credit for this course. Graphing calculators are used in 7th and 8th grade math classes.
The Science curriculum for all students involves activity-based classes built upon an understanding of the scientific method. Saint Agnes faculty intentionally integrate learning experiences to provide diverse S.T.E.M. and S.T.E.A.M. experiences and to help students identify cross-curricular, learning connections through project and experiment-based learning. Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math. Student experiments and demonstrations are frequent and open-ended. The cyclical curriculum culminates in middle school in a three-year sequence of Earth Science, Life Science, and Physical Science.
Teachers of Social Studies work to give all students a framework for understanding the geography, history, economics, and political structures of the complex world in which we live in order to prepare them to be effective citizens. Class work is integrated with guest speakers, community projects, and celebrations of ethnic and regional customs. Current events are a strong focus, particularly in regard to issues of social justice.
Spanish is part of the curriculum for all students. The K-5 program includes conversation, songs, games, culture, and vocabulary development. Students in 6-8 begin a more formalized study of written and oral language that prepares them for the possibility of advanced placement in high school. Sixth graders have two 45-minute classes each week ,and students in Grades 7-8 have three 45-minute classes weekly.
The teachers of the Fine Arts of Music and Visual Art provide students with both an appreciation of the master artists and their work, as well as knowledge of techniques and experience in creation of art and music. In both areas, teachers select projects related to a wide variety of cultures. Visual art includes projects in many media, and music includes choral as well as instrumental work. Eighth grade students participate in trimester classes exploring various arts in greater depth.
The Physical Education and Health curriculum emphasizes healthy practices and decisions, including cardiovascular workouts in every class, skill development, cooperative games, dancing, team sports, and instruction and activities related to nutrition, smoking, and drug and alcohol abuse.
Our Counseling program provides regular classroom guidance on personal and social adjustment issues, as well as prevention education. An integral part of our faculty at Saint Agnes our Counselor is also available for individual or small group sessions with students, parents, or teachers, working closely with them to address individual needs.
The curriculum, supplemented by special cultural assemblies and a wide range of extra-curricular activities, allows us to offer a comprehensive education for all students in grades K-8.
