Curriculum

Curriculum

St. Anselm's curriculum adheres to the standards of the New York State Department of Education and the Office of Catholic Education of the Diocese of Brooklyn. We are accredited by the Middle States Commission on Elementary Schools. We offer:

Pre-School & Kindergarten Programs

Our Beginning Scholars Program (nursery) for three year old children is designed to introduce children to the group setting and to provide the experience transition from home to school. The extended-family atmosphere of our program will allow children to play freely and creatively within a secure environment, to experience success, to derive satisfaction from accomplishments, and to communicate feelings and needs.

Our Full & Half Day Pre-kindergarten Program develops each child academically and spiritually through a thematic approach. The children learn to recognize alphabet letters and numbers. They recognize their own first names and basic colors and shapes. They learn nursery rhymes and songs and differentiate among sounds and rhyming words. They measure, match and classify objects and practice one-to-one correspondence. Through literature, the children develop their listening skills. Their fine and gross motor skills are developed through weekly gym classes and activities in their individual classrooms. In addition to the songs and poems the children learn in class, they also attend a brief weekly Music class.

Our Full Day Kindergarten Readiness Program teaches the children to recognize and print upper and lower case letters and letter sounds. They begin to blend and read simple words. They practice left-to-right progression and identify and print their first and last names. The children can listen, comprehend and retell stories. They follow simple and compound directions which help them to work independently. Literature is an integral part of our curriculum. Our Math approach is hands-on. The children work with manipulative to learn one-to-one correspondence and number sequence from 1-20. They measure length, capacity and weight using nonstandard counters. We teach units of money, time and the calendar. In Social Studies and Science, the children learn about the world around them and those who inhabit it. We study the seasons, animal friends, community helpers and our earth. To round out these activities, the Kindergarten children attend weekly classes in Art, Computer, Gym, Music and Spanish.-

Accelerated Learning Programs

The Aquinas Advanced Study Program which serves as an enrichment program whereas the curriculum is presented at a significantly accelerated learning pace, focusing on grade level expectations that are above students' assigned grade levels, in complexity and depth.

An Advanced High School Mathematics Program (Math A) which is offered to selective students in Grade 8 based upon teacher's recommendation. The curriculum presented prepares students for first year high school algebra. Students study two levels of math (8th and 9th grades) simultaneously. An

An Accelerated Reading Program is offered to students in Grades 4 through 8. The program encourages students to read widely with understanding, read books of increasing difficulty and meet individual challenges.

Comprehensive Learning Programs

We offer a Computer Program that seeks to develop computer skills and the use of the computer in instruction and enrichment. This technology is incorporated into the work the children do in many other classes. The school is equipped with SMART Board Interactive Whiteboards and up-to-date computers and software. We also have two Laptop Carts that are used in the intermediate and upper grades with a total of 36 laptops. The students search the Internet to re-enforce their classroom instruction. This technology is integrated into the curriculum in many subject areas.

A Science Lab that provides students with "hands-on" activities in mastering basic skills in science. The lab is equipped with microscopes, specimens, measuring tools, triple beam balance, graduated cylinders and other materials and instruments needed during an experiment and activity.

The Health Education curriculum is intertwined with the Science curriculum. Health is taught once a week in grades 1 through 8. The lower grades learn bicycle and street safety, hygiene and nutrition. Middle grades learn hygiene, nutrition and an introduction to the function of the living systems and drug awareness. The upper grades learn the structure and function of all the living systems, reproduction, drug abuse and eating disorders. Students are encouraged to develop inquiry skills, think critically and pursue their own questions.

A Fine Arts Program that features a weekly Art Class (drawing and art history) and a weekly Music Class which includes a Recorder Program with theory and appreciation.

A Library Program that develops an appreciation for learning and research. Our library program uses traditional and computer generated methodology.

A Spanish Language Program with instruction in the language, each student begins to learn the language and culture through reading, listening, and conversation.

A Physical Education Program that stresses the fundamentals of many sports and a sense of fair play and sportsmanship.

Our School Band includes an Instrumental Music Program. Band is offered to students in grades 3 through 8. Instruments include Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet, Saxophone, Trombone, Bells and Drums. The students participate in two concerts throughout the year, a Christmas Concert and a Year End Concert. Learning an instrument and playing in the school band is an essential part of a well rounded education.

St. Anselm's School Band performing at a recital in 2007.

School Services

A Guidance Program employs a full-time Guidance Counselor. Teachers (or families) may refer children to the Guidance Counselor when they observe academic, behavioral or other difficulties or special needs. Parental approval is required before any referral, which is usually initiated by a teacher but executed by the Principal.

We provide an Early Drop-Off Service (starting at 7:30) and an Extended Day Program to assist working parents and busy schedules (the latter for a reasonable fee.)

St. Anselm's also offers Remediation Services, primarily in reading and math, but also in other areas when needs arise.

All of our children are supported by a Full-Time Nurse. St. Anselm Catholic School was among the first in the Diocese to be equipped with a defibrillator available on the first floor of the school.

Testing

Saint Anselm School also participates in the following testing programs:

Diocesan Testing
Achievement Exams
New York State Standards Tests