ART
Visual Arts is an opportunity for creative expression where students explore their creativity through a variety of hands-on activities, materials, techniques, art appreciation, history, and cross-curricular projects.
FOREIGN LANGUAGE
Spanish is taught in Kindergarten through Sixth Grade once per week.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
Grades 4 to 8 may pay to enroll in an independent instrumental music program. All lessons take place during the school day.
KINDERGARTEN
The full day curriculum includes Religion (stressing the love of God as Father), mathematics, and Wonders Reading Program, which enables children to develop their penmanship and vocabulary skills, as well as developing proper speech. The children also have classes in art, music, physical education, computers, library, science and social studies. This class has a full-time assistant.
LANGUAGE ARTS
Reading, English, Spelling, Vocabulary, Written Expression, Library Skills, Handwriting, and Appreciation of Literature
The English program concentrates on the mastery of spoken language as well as written language. The program provides direct instruction in writing through grade 5. Writing Roadmap is a state-of-the-art online assessment solution that helps students improve their essay-writing skills in grade 5. Writing Roadmap uses rubrics and measures the traits that are most commonly used within state and national standards. Its tools help prepare students for state writing assessments as well as the GED® Test, SAT, and ACT.
The Reading program provides skills instruction in decoding, vocabulary, comprehension, as well as life and study skills. Instructional activities before, during, and after reading help students integrate and apply their skills. The result is a comprehensive program that offers explicit strategies to teach students to comprehend our written language. A reading resource teacher is available for grades 1-8. A more intense focus on literature is presented at the Middle School level.
STAR Reading is a computer generated reading placement test that allows our classroom teachers to assess each student’s reading level quickly and accurately. The Accelerated Reader online program gives immediate feedback as a student progresses through the various reading levels. The level determined by STAR allows age appropriate book selection.
Spelling in grades 1 and 2 is a vital part of the phonics program. Grades 3 through 5 use a text designed to aid the student in developing and improving spelling skills.
Students in grades 1 through 5 are taught cursive writing using A Reason for Writing series. All assignments in grades 3 through 8 will be completed in cursive writing.
LIBRARY
Every class has a scheduled library period weekly. According to grade level, students check out books, learn library skills, and do research projects. The library also has open periods that allow teachers to schedule a particular class for research or for individual students to do research work. Computers are available in the library for independent and small group research.
MATHEMATICS
Mathematics skills, Pre-Algebra, and Algebra I
Mathematics is taught in self-contained classrooms for Pre-School through grade 1. In order to allow teachers to meet students’ individual needs in mathematics instruction, students in grades 2 through 8 are placed into math groups. Access to technology programs in the computer lab provides extra skills practice. Online reinforcement is utilized as well, primarily through IXL Learning. Kindergarten through Fifth Grade use the Envision Math Series.
MATH SPECIALIST
A math specialist is available five days per week to allow homogeneous grouping in Math for grades 2 through 8.
MUSIC
Students preschool - 8 attend weekly music classes, taught by a music specialist. Through sequential curriculum activities, they develop singing and listening skills. Students learn to interpret musical notation and study music history through various activities. Many different aspects of music are addressed and taught throughout the year, including preparations for occasional performances.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
A qualified physical education teacher provides a complete physical fitness-oriented curriculum. The curriculum is designed to meet the expectations of all ages, grades pre-school to 8, with a combination of sports, dance, exercise and other elements of physical fitness. Every grade participates in a weekly class.
RELIGION
A Catholic education teaches Catholic Doctrine, social justice, and preparation for the reception of the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation.
Liturgical services are held for the entire school community every Friday and/or on Holy Days of Obligation, class liturgies, and prayer services. Other devotions include the Stations of the Cross, Eucharistic Adoration, and the May Procession. Students have the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation two times a year.
The Religion program is designed to provide a holistic approach with graduated learning experiences from preschool to grade 8. Children prepare and participate in weekly liturgies. Children in grade 2 prepare for the Sacraments of Penance and Holy Eucharist.
Sacramental preparation includes the involvement of parents, students, teachers, clergy and the total parish community. Parents are required to be active partners in the preparation of their children for the sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation. These sacraments are only conferred on students baptized in the Roman Catholic tradition.
It is expected that parents nurture the sacramental life of their children by ensuring their weekly attendance at Sunday Mass.
SCIENCE
General Sciences and Laboratory Experiences
A fully equipped state-of-the-art science lab is utilized by students from preschool through eighth grade. This Science program presents opportunities for learning the scientific method and process skills through experiments and hands-on activities. Science concepts are enriched through cross-curricular links and appropriate books related to science topics. Interest in various science areas is enhanced through computer software. These computer programs allow for the implementation of critical thinking skills and the application of the scientific method.
SOCIAL STUDIES
History, Geography, and Current Events
The social studies curriculum provides the opportunity for each student to acquire knowledge and develop skills necessary for social, political, and economic participation in a diverse, interdependent, and changing world. As our program is implemented in preschool through grade 8, students build their understanding of the past, people of different communities and regions, our nation, and the world. Geography is integrated into all grades with a strong emphasis on map and globe skills. Middle school uses the Holt McDougal (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) Series, U.S. History. This series was purchased in 2012 with an online component as an added feature.
SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM
St. Anthony of Padua Grade School is the first Catholic Elementary School in the Diocese of Wilmington to make a commitment to offering individualized accommodation plans with a Full-Time School Counselor and Full-Time Special Education Teacher. The two teachers collaborate and develop personalized plans to help students learn and achieve success at their level with differentiated instruction. Call the school at 421-3743 for specific details. Arrange for a tour at your convenience!
TECHNOLOGY
Weekly computer skills classes offer students the opportunity to enhance the language arts and math curriculum in grades pre-school through 3. Students in grades 4 through 8 begin an intensive keyboarding program. Grade 5 concentrates on working with graphics and using applications in Microsoft Office, such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and PowerPoint presentations.
To meet the needs of an ever-changing, ever-increasing technological world, guidance regarding Internet usage and responsibilities is presented and discussed. All classrooms are equipped with SMART boards. The Computer Lab is available for all to use and there are PCs in all classrooms so that students can access technology to complete assignments.