The St. 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 Kentucky Non-Public Schools Commission.
Religion program: The heart of the curriculum of St. Agnes Parish School is the religion program that is designed to provide students with an understanding of Catholic doctrine, Scripture, and tradition. In addition, 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.
The Language Arts, consisting of Reading/Literature, Grammar, Writing, and Spelling/Vocabulary are taught as an integrated whole from Kindergarten through Grade 8. Literature is used as the starting point for writing activities. A writing curriculum ensures that students will have the opportunity to learn to write in many genres. Grammar is taught in the context of writing, with grammar texts available for targeted skill practice. Spelling/vocabulary development combines the use of texts in the early grades to teach spelling patterns with literature-based word walls and activities.
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. Approximately half of the eighth grade students take an Honors Algebra I course, and many 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. Teachers use the Flex-Cam to demonstrate procedures to the class, and student experiments and demonstrations are frequent. 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 use texts and begin a more formalized study of written and oral language that prepares them for 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.
St. 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 it critically, use it responsibly, and present it effectively. As highly skilled developers of curriculum, the Technology Coordinator and the Librarian meet regularly with faculty members to design units of study.
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.
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.
The Counselor provides regular classroom guidance on mental health and personal and social adjustment issues. The Counselor is also available for individual or small group sessions with students, parents, or teachers.
Service: Kindergarten through eighth grade students regularly participate in service projects. These include regular correspondence with parish friends who are elderly or ill, ongoing food collection for the parish St. Vincent DePaul pantry, collections of clothing and toys for an impoverished area of Kentucky, collections of money for various local and international charities, and preparation of meals for those in need. Seventh and eighth grade students have regular opportunities to serve at a local lunch program for the homeless; these students also take on projects of their own involving parish and community service.
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 grade K-8.
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