CURRICULUM

Santa Cruz Catholic School follows the Diocese of Austin Curriculum Requirements.  This guide aligns the Diocesan objectives with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills Elements (TEKS), TCCED Principles and Standards for Catholic Schools and provides a common base for curriculum formation.  The curriculum includes religion, reading, English/Language arts including spelling, vocabulary, writing, and handwriting, mathematics, social studies, science, Spanish, art, music, physical education, and computer literacy. Each teacher has a daily written schedule and follows the prescribed daily and weekly time requirements mandated by TCCED

 

Religion:  Religion is paramount in our curriculum. In addition to daily religion class, students participate in many Religious Formation Activities . Religious values are integrated in all subject areas along with Catholic doctrine and tradition, Bible study, Social Justice, preparation for the reception of the Sacraments of Reconciliation, and Eucharist and Liturgical services on Fridays and Holy Days.

 

The sacramental life of the children of the Catholic tradition is an important component of the religion program at Santa Cruz School.  Preparations for two sacraments, Reconciliation and Eucharist, form the core of instruction in Grade 2.  In accordance with the diocesan guidelines, candidates for First Eucharist will receive the sacrament of Reconciliation prior to First Eucharist.

 

Parents are required to be active partners in the preparation of their children for these sacraments. The sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist are only conferred to students baptized in the Roman Catholic tradition.

 

PreKindergarten and Kindergarten Program: In PreKindergarten we recognize that development in young children is a continuous process. Although children proceed through the same sequence of development, they do not develop at the same rate. The major emphasis of the early childhood program is the utilization of developmentally appropriate practices to enhance language and communication skills. We accomplish this by providing a gateway to a multi-year program of educational experience that takes into consideration the emotional, physical, social, spiritual and intellectual development of 3-, 4- and 5-year old children.  These programs are substantially different from nursery school or day care.

Our full day kindergarten program provides a systematic approach to teaching the core curriculum and skills at appropriate levels.  A special emphasis each year is on your child’s spiritual, social, emotional, intellectual and physical development.

 

Instruction in music, physical education, art and Spanish classes is also a vital part of the developmental program.

 

Primary Grades 1-4: These grades involve self-contained classroom teaching.  The students will study, according to minimum daily time requirements,

  • religion
  • language arts (includes reading, literature, vocabulary, English grammar and composition, spelling, handwriting, speaking, listening)
  • mathematics,

and according to minimum weekly time requirements,

  • social studies (includes elements of history; geography; economics; government; citizenship; culture; science; technology; and society; and social studies skills)
  • science
  • physical education
  • health
  • fine arts (art, music, theater arts)

An appropriate curriculum or set of concepts will also be taught for Spanish, for guidance and for technology.

 

Music: Students will experience a variety of music genre from religious to learning songs.  All students will participate in two music concerts during the year as part of their performance grade.  

 

Art:  Instruction in visual arts is provided to students.  Our visual arts curriculum focuses on creative exploration/expression using various art elements and mediums.  The art program also fosters an appreciation of both Master artists and peer student artwork. 

 

Physical Education and Health: The PE program includes general fitness instruction, the Presidential Physical Fitness program, sports with skill development, lead-up games and rules, strategies and good sportsmanship. The Health program includes vision, hearing, and scoliosis screening, dental education, first-aid attention, and up-to-date health records on each student.

 

Spanish: Students receive formal Spanish instruction following the natural age of language development. 

 

Instructional Technology: Some instructional technology instruction will be held for students and training for teachers will be provided to enable them to transfer skills to students.  Skill development in keyboarding will be the focus.  Writing skill development will also be enhanced using technology.