At the primary level, emphasis is placed upon exploring and mastering the core subjects of reading/language arts and mathematics. The children read authentic, theme-based literature from the Houghton Mifflin program, Reading (2007). Guided Readers are also used to individualize reading instruction. The writing process is introduced and incorporated into each theme, and the students produce writing pieces while taking them through the drafting, peer conferencing, teacher editing and revision processes.

In the Everyday Math, the third edition program, children are active learners using hands-on manipulatives to enhance concrete understanding of concepts. The mathematical strands include simple and complex counting, numeration, operations, measurement, geometry, clock and calendar use, graphs, patterns, attributes, and functions.

Religion is a faith journey, taught not only as an independent subject, but also integrated into the daily actions and behaviors of each child. In the primary grades the children learn about God’s creation, Jesus, as God’s greatest gift to us, the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist, and the Church as a servant community. Prayer, and service and outreach projects are integrated into the curriculum as signs and symbols of living a Christian life within the community and adhering to the gospel values of mercy and justice. 

In the primary grades, our science specialist introduces our students to the lab. Proper safety procedures and simple hands-on experiments complement the classroom instruction. In social studies, students learn how they contribute to the community in which they live and their responsibilities to the global world. In third grade, special emphasis is placed on the history and geography of Pennsylvania. 

Technology is integrated into the curriculum through projects in language arts, science, social studies and math. Students continue developing the use of Kid Pix and learn how to use Microsoft Word. They learn how to do research on the Internet using key words and phrases through Power Library and teacher-made hotlists. Students learn how to use Venn diagrams in Kidspiration, and are introduced to Excel and Timeliner. 

Special classes such as art, music, gym, library, and Spanish enhance the core curriculum.