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In our PK program, we believe in the importance of learning through PLAY to support personal, social, and spiritual development. We employ developmentally appropriate programs and best practices to support development of students’ young minds and fundamental skills.

At the core of our curriculum is the Language Enrichment Activities Program (LEAP), which promotes development of language skills and helps create the solid foundation necessary for kindergarten success. Through stories and engaging hands-on activities, emphasis is on listening and literature, vocabulary and expression, phonological awareness, alphabet knowledge, concept development, linguistic skills, numeracy and early math development and fine motor skill development. PK students enjoy daily religion lessons and attend a prayer service weekly. PK students also enjoy art, music and drama, PE, library, computer lab, and Spanish as an integral part of their school experience.

Highlights: 

• Parent Occupation Visits
• Dia de los Muertos Ofrenda
• Field Day and Petting Zoo
• Walking Field Trip to the Postal Center

In Kindergarten, we use a balanced literacy approach, combining various strategies and activities to meet the diverse needs of young learners and to develop fluent readers with strong comprehension. We work hard to instill a love of reading as they build their arsenal of sight words, helping ensure their ability to read at or above grade level. Writing is integrated into reading instruction as we develop confident and capable writers capable of composing three sentence paragraphs by the end of their kindergarten year.

Math lessons are designed to create a positive and supportive learning environment where children can develop a solid foundation in mathematical concepts through exploration, play, and meaningful activities.

Weekly visits to the science lab provide a dynamic and interactive environment where students can explore, experiment, and apply scientific principles. This hands-on approach not only enhances academic learning but also contributes to the development of essential life and career skills.

Faith formation is at the core of the kindergarten curriculum as our students develop an understanding of the basic tenets, teachings, and traditions of our Catholic faith through prayer, Bible stories, and the celebration of Catholic traditions.

Highlights:

• Celebration of 100 days of school
• Conduct an author study
• Class store
• Special graduation ceremony

In first grade we focus on developing a solid foundation in reading, writing, and math and maximize opportunities to integrate thematic instruction across the curriculum. We believe the most powerful learning comes when connections are made.

Our reading program is a perfect balance of both whole-group and small ability-leveled guided reading groups. We teach explicit and systematic phonics skills to support students’ reading and spelling. Our first-grade writers become proficient quickly, beginning their writing assignments with Thinking Maps (graphic organizers), and using the maps to transition to sentences, then paragraphs with opening and closing statements.

Science and social studies include both whole group and individualized activities, focusing on thematic units, introducing our young learners to the wonders of the living world in a way that is engaging and developmentally appropriate.

Religion is the heart and soul of the classroom in first grade, and we use it any time during the day to drive instruction and give witness to God’s presence. During daily religion lessons, students come to know, love, and serve God through His word and the Church’s teachings.

Highlights:

• Thinking Maps
• Career Day
• Animal research
• Texas Roundup

Second grade is such a blessed time as students prepare for the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion, marking significant milestones in their spiritual growth. Our second grade teachers integrate character development throughout the curriculum to help each child achieve his or her personal best. As the leaders of the Lower School, students gain a sense of accomplishment and pride through individual and group problem solving and increased responsibility.

In second grade, teachers work to meet the individual needs of students through acceleration and differentiation of the curriculum. Comprehension strategies are taught to help students gain a higher level of understanding and make real-world connections. These connections are expressed through various forms of writing including personal narratives and expository essays.

Our math program provides opportunities for students to experience each aspect of rigor: conceptual understanding, procedural skill, fluency, and application. The use of manipulatives and real-world applications help students construct their own cognitive models and make meaningful connections.

Students visit the science lab weekly for hands-on learning with matter and energy and earth sciences. Social studies lessons cover a wide range of topics from geography and history to government and economics.

Highlights:

• First Communion
• First Reconciliation
• All Saints’ Day Mass
• Trips to the Upper School for Mass

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School curriculum is designed to comply with the academic requirements of the Office of Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Dallas, integrating current content and fresh approaches to the methodology involved in informing, forming, and transforming our students with wonder and meaning of Christian faith.

Diocesan Curriculum Standards 

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School is accredited by the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops Education Department.