The curriculum at St. Agnes School is coordinated K-5. Textbooks and workbooks are chosen with care. The importance of basics is stressed, incorporating a variety of methods of teaching and enrichment programs. St. Agnes will provide a minimum of 1,032 instructional hours for each student.
The curriculum includes: Reading, English, Handwriting, Spelling, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Literature, Health, and Religion. We follow a curriculum based on Nebraska State Standards and approved by the Nebraska Department of Education.
Additionally, students receive instruction in music, physical education, library and computer skills weekly. Art is taught in the classroom by the homeroom teacher. Social and emotional growth is developed through The Second Step Program, a program designed to promote school success, self-regulation and a sense of safety and support.
Religion is taught as a class, as well as incorporated throughout the school day. Religion classes do not end at school. Parents are the primary educators and the faith must be lived as a family with home involvement.
Students in 1st -5th grades participate in MAPS Testing. Map Growth, a computer adaptive test, created by NWEA, is taken 2-3 times per school year (Fall/Spring). These tests adjust to student’s learning level, providing a unique set of test questions based on the student’s response to previous questions. As the student responds, the test responds to the student, adjusting the difficulty of the question.
The results provide teachers with information to help them deliver appropriate content for each student and determine individual academic growth over time.
CURRICULUMS
Math
Saxon Math – K-5th
The curriculum includes development, practice, and application of numeration, computation, estimation, problem solving, geometry/spatial concepts, measurement and related topics.
Developed by John Saxon, this spiral teaching method introduces new concepts daily while constantly reviewing old concepts. This constant review of material improves overall retention.
Reading/Language Arts/Spelling
Wonders 2020 – K-3rd Grade
Literature Based Reading (using novels) – 4th & 5th grades
Write Source – 4th & 5th grades
Wonders is a comprehensive Pre-K-6 literacy program designed to meet the challenges of today’s classroom and reach all learners. It includes a wealth of research-based print and digital resources that provide unmatched support for building strong literacy foundations, accessing complex fiction & non-fiction texts, developing writing skills and building strong social emotional skills. Wonders uses research-proven instruction and best practices to help students grow as readers, writers and critical thinkers.
The curriculum includes development and practice of skills and understanding in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. It helps children develop appreciation of literature, creativity, and expression.
Elevate Science Curriculum
Elevate Science is a complete K-5 science program, including a blended print and digital curriculum, that elevates thinking, learning and teaching. It encourages innovation, collaboration and creativity while promoting understanding, application and synthesis. Elevate promotes investigation, critical thinking and analysis through phenomena-based quests, STEM and engineering activities and interdisciplinary connections.
Social Studies
Pearson My World – 2nd – 5th Grades
Individual units – 1st & 2nd Grade
Scholastic News (current events) - Pre -K - 5th
The curriculum helps children develop an understanding of the world and its people. It includes experiences drawn from geography, history, economics, government, citizenship, career awareness, human relations, current affairs and cultural studies. This includes instruction in American history and stories and about the exploits and deeds of American heroes.
Religion
Ignatius Press – Faith & Life Series – K-5th Grades
Image of God - Pre-K - Kindergarten
Faith & Life Series - 1st-5th Grades
The Image of God religion curriculum exciting and comprehensive Catholic program that has as its foundation the creation of human beings in God’s own likeness. The greatest confirmation of man’s unique dignity is the Incarnation of Christ, the God-man who is the perfect image of the Father and who reveals God as Love, especially by the Cross and Resurrection. In revealing God, Christ showed us who we are and how to act. This emphasis on the dignity of the individual child as the foundation of this series is taken from Scripture, the documents of Vatican II, and the writing of John Paul II.
The Faith & Life religion curriculum provides children with a basic foundation of faith and love of Jesus Christ, through which students respond to God’s call in prayer, mercy and justice. The curriculum each year has a systematic approach covering foundation truths of the Faith as presented in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The curriculum fosters spiritual, moral and intellectual conversion and leads students to become disciples of Christ.
Technology
St. Agnes School is committed to preparing students for life in the 21st century. Strong computer and technology skills will play a major role in their education and future careers. Our school has made great advances in the area of technology over the past 5 years. Each classroom is equipped with a Bright Links White Board which allows teachers to enhance their core curriculums with virtual lessons, active learning games, testing and more. As well, in 2017, our paddle auction at the Premiere Event raised funds for the purchasing of 60 chrome books and 2 mobi carts. These mobi labs (one per floor) allow for development of keyboarding skills, whole group reach and writing projects, enrichment activities for all levels of students as well as provide the opportunity for our new testing system – MAPS. A GEER fund grant provided 25 new chrome books in 2021.
These experiences with technology will have our students well prepared for the next level of education.
Handwriting – D’Nelian – K-3rd Grades
