Lower School Curriculum

The St. Mary's Academy Lower School creates a nurturing and supportive environment that fosters the developmental growth of our students. Our primary focus is to ensure their success in the face of challenging academics. During these crucial formative years, children have daily opportunities to flourish, excel, and accomplish. SMA provides a balanced environment of achievements, where the essence of childhood is nurtured and celebrated.

Our dedicated teachers collaborate in vertical teams, enabling them to intimately understand each student's academic and emotional progress - to truly know each student. This knowledge empowers us to prepare them for their next educational milestone.

Integrated Core Subject Curriculum

It encompasses vital disciplines such as math, literacy, science, social studies, and our foundational Loretto School Values
Prioritizes the integration of subject knowledge with practical analytical problem-solving skills.
Establishes connections between theoretical learning and real-world applications, fostering engagement of students' hearts and minds.
Embraces the principles of STEAM by intertwining disciplines in innovative ways.

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Developing the Whole Child

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Language Arts

At St. Mary’s Academy, we believe that literacy forms the cornerstone of a student's education. It serves as a foundation upon which all higher-order learning, critical thinking, and effective communication are built.

Our approach immerses students in learning environments that are abundant in words. These environments are designed to cultivate a lifelong passion for both reading and writing. Collaborating closely with each grade level, our librarian ensures that our Loretto School Values seamlessly intertwine with enriching literacy experiences.

The Art of Reading

Introducing ReadyGEN, an all-encompassing approach to reading and writing instruction for Kindergarten to Grade 5 students. Through this program, students delve into authentic literary and informational texts. The instruction emphasizes not only reading and writing but also effective speaking and listening in response to these genuine texts. Our educators employ guided activities and modeling techniques to inspire and captivate students, propelling their learning. ReadyGEN adopts the Gradual Release of Responsibility Model, a strategy that transitions from teacher-directed learning to a student-centered approach. This method empowers students to become independent and confident readers and writers.

As part of our ongoing commitment to student growth, reading assessments are carried out using the Acadience and iReady platforms throughout the academic year.

Word Study and Phonics

Fundamental to the journey of reading and writing is the understanding that letters and combinations of letters form distinct sounds and words. Phonics instruction begins early in our Early Learning Program and extends through Grade 5. These daily, fast, and engaging teaching sessions are designed to be multisensory experiences. Our educators embrace auditory, visual, and kinesthetic techniques, acknowledging diverse learning styles and encouraging the activation of multiple senses. Drawing from the Science of Reading principles, evidence-based practices are employed to foster phonemic awareness and bolster reading skills.

As part of our ongoing commitment to student growth, reading assessments are carried out using the Acadience and iReady platforms throughout the academic year.

Crafting the Written Word

In the Lower School, writing takes on a dynamic and exhilarating form. Students partake in daily writing activities across various genres. Writing holds a pivotal role within the ReadyGEN program. The process of writing is taught as a continuum, progressing from the concepts of print for writing, traits of writing, and the writing process itself.

Students master the art of self-expression across diverse writing styles, including narratives, expository pieces, descriptive writing, argumentative and persuasive compositions, notes and letters, and personal reflections on literature. Students are empowered with significant autonomy in selecting their topics and preferred writing styles.

During this journey, teachers serve as mentor authors, imparting writing techniques and engaging in one-on-one discussions as students navigate the writing process. Explicit writing instruction begins with a focused mini-lesson at the inception of each workshop, paving the way for active writing sessions. Students are provided with platforms to showcase and share their work.

Mathematics

At St. Mary’s Academy, our commitment to delivering top-tier mathematics education shines through. Our comprehensive math instruction caters to students across all Lower School grades, ensuring a robust foundation in this critical subject. From Kindergarten through Grade 5, we embrace the innovative enVision 2020 Math Program, an approach that seamlessly integrates problem-based learning and visual comprehension techniques to enrich students' grasp of mathematical concepts.

Our distinctiveness lies in our ability to make mathematics relatable and coherent for students, teachers, and parents and guardians alike. The enVision 2020 Math Program forms the bedrock of our approach, furnishing educators with a wealth of differentiated instruction and strategic tools within every lesson. This empowers our teachers to adapt to diverse learning needs while cultivating a classroom environment that thrives on comprehension and engagement.

For students, the benefits are great. The enVision 2020 Math Program is uniquely designed to offer tailored content, interactive tutorials, and comprehensive homework exercises. This personalized approach ensures that each student can confidently navigate mathematical challenges, fostering mastery and enhancing their problem-solving abilities.

Our commitment to excellence shines through our students' achievements, consistently surpassing state standards. Equipped with a deep-rooted mathematical understanding and adept problem-solving skills, our students are primed for the next stages of their academic journey.

Science

At St. Mary's Academy, our distinctive approach to science education is designed to engage every student, fostering a deep appreciation for the marvels of the natural world. Through inquiry-based activities, hands-on projects, and captivating investigations aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards, your child will embark on a path of discovery and curiosity.

Early Years Adventure: K-Grade 2 Exploration

In the early years, from Kindergarten to Grade 2, we ignite the flames of curiosity through the immersive Mystery Science Program. This dynamic platform combines discussion questions, thought-provoking videos, nonfiction reading, and interactive hands-on activities. Through this approach, young learners are captivated by the wonders of science, setting the stage for a lifelong love for exploration.

Grades 3-5: Unveiling the Mysteries

As students progress to Grades 3 to 5, they team up with dedicated science specialists and delve into the captivating FOSS (Full Option Science System) curriculum. Developed by the renowned Lawrence Hall of Science at the University of California, Berkeley, FOSS offers a comprehensive framework for in-depth understanding. Students engage in immersive experiences that unravel the complexities of the natural and designed worlds. The curriculum encourages active participation in scientific practices, where students lead their investigations and analyses. Within this journey, a strong emphasis on engineering is seamlessly woven into the fabric of science instruction. Students learn to question, observe, sketch, and create physical models as part of their exploration.

Igniting Creativity through STEAM

Our commitment to nurturing innovation and creativity takes center stage through STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) education. We aim to equip students with the skills to question, think critically, investigate, and pioneer. Our state-of-the-art inspiration Lab, equipped with a 3D printer, is a hub for design-based thinking. In our endeavor to empower students, each child in Kindergarten through Grade 5 receives an iPad and essential accessories for classroom and lab usage.

A Green Footprint: Environmental Focus

Embedded within our curriculum is an unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship. As a Loretto School, we intertwine sustainability education into our science program. Our students become conscious global citizens, learning about vital concepts such as recycling, water conservation, and current events related to environmental preservation. Within the Lower School, hydroponic plan growing towers and designated campus areas provide students with hands-on experiences to study plant life within their natural habitats.

The Next Generation Science Standards guide our work with students.

Social Studies

At St. Mary’s Academy, we're not just educating students; we're preparing students to become powerful agents of change in the world. We are dedicated to helping young people become contributing citizens in a culturally diverse, democratic society. Through a dedicated commitment to fostering critical thinking, informed expression, and empathetic listening, we empower students to engage thoughtfully with their peers, their community, and the broader world.

A Journey of Discovery: Unveiling Social Studies

Our approach to Social Studies is an exploration that begins with the individual and radiates outward to encompass families, neighborhoods, communities, the vibrant State of Colorado, and the entire United States. Each grade level offers a window into historical events, geographical features, resource dynamics, economic decision-making processes, and the intricate web of civic roles and responsibilities.

Empowering Education with Curated Resources

To support these educational goals, our teachers draw upon a rich tapestry of resources: Scholastic News to the myWorld Social Studies Program tailored for Kindergarten to Grade 5, Discover Colorado, online platforms, and thought-provoking expository texts - these resources ignite curiosity and deepen understanding. Storytelling is the foundation of the myWorld Social Studies Program, which makes it truly engaging to Lower School learners and also offers a key benefit of literacy development.

Nurturing Minds, Building Bridges

SMA students are more than recipients of knowledge; they are active contributors to their learning journey. Through immersive experiences, they develop the art of perspective-taking, navigating conversations with peers who hold differing beliefs. This skill is a cornerstone of citizenship, fostering empathy, open-mindedness, and a shared purpose of working toward the greater good.