La Clase de Espanol Students in 4th & 5th grade begin with a exploratory program that includes music, stories, and historical and cultural events. General vocabulary words based on the alphabet and simple sentence structure is also taught. Students keep a journal as well. The middle school program for 6th, 7th & 8th grade students continues to build from the elementary foundation. 6th grade begins to use a formal text book and 7th & 8th grade accelerate to include the fulltime use of a textbook and workbook. Students are also continually encouraged to communicate in Spanish throughout the day.

Technology Students in Kindergarten through 8th grade are all taught computer skills in conjunction with the National Educational Technology Standards for Students (NETS). This framework along with the California State Standards, guides each grade in the use of word processing, graphics & publishing, multimedia, database, file management, tech terminology and social & ethical use. Each technology framework has, on average, 20 areas of discipline to cover which is integrated with classroom projects. iMac and iBook computers are used to teach keyboarding, and how to use various multimedia tools like video and digital cameras & scannesr to create and maintain an environment in which technology is used to explore, manipulate and present information.

Art The art program compliments the curriculum of grades 1 through 8. Many different types of media are explored and each are integrated from the classroom curriculum. Students are introduced to many artists, encouraged to visit museums and have opportunities to show their art, participate in art shows and events. Grade 1-3 emphasizes the elements of design, line, form, shape, value, space and texture. Students learn about color and composition. They also create with clay. The elementary classes expand on the concepts taught in the primary grades with three dimensional media and clay. Middle school classes explore art through world history and cultures. The eighth grade looks forward to designing sets and scenery for their play.

Science The kindergarten science curriculum includes exploration using different senses, experiments with water, and activities on the life cycles of plants and animals. Field trips include the Richardson Bay Audubon Center.

The 1st grade science curriculum includes topics such as electricity, magnetism, states of matter, life cycles, plant growth and camouflage. They help with the planting and harvesting of vegetables as well. Field trips include Slide Ranch and Richardson Bay Audubon Center.

The 2nd grade science curriculum includes topics such as germination, dissection, habitats, properties of matter, light & sound, Solar System, African Savannah, and insects. Field trips include Bay Area Discovery Museum and Safari West wild animal park.

The 3rd grade science curriculum includes habitat, conductors & insulators of heat, simple machines, animals, germination, the heart and nutrition. Field trips include Richardson Bay Audubon Center and the Stybing Arboretum in San Francisco. Students also work in the school garden.

The 4th grade science curriculum covers topics such as properties/erosion of water, aquatic habitats, Solar System, tropical forests, and volcanoes. Field trips include Marine Mammal Center & beach clean up, Audubon Canyon Ranch. Students also work in the school garden.

The 5th grade science curriculum covers habitats, food chains, magetism and electricity, the nervous system, cells, atoms, chemical reactions, the Periodic table, Newtons laws of motion, and solar energy.The highlight of the 5th grade is the four-day Outdoor Education trip to Walker Creek Ranch. They participate in the school garden as well.

Physical Education

The program is conducted so that all children can, within the parameters of their abilities be introduced to and helped to acquire movement skills in dance, games, and gymnastics that are appropriate to their physical potential. They are introduced to and helped to acquire movement skills in basketball, dance, fitness, flag football, floor hockey, soccer, softball, STX ball, tumbling, and volleyball. Students acquire knowledge, learn to value improvement and show positive growth in personal physical fitness through participation in the physical environment described above.

Music Kindergarten students develop vocabulary and coordination skills through dance and vocalization. Emphasis is placed on listening, working as a group, memorization, and creativity. The 1st-3rd grade students are taught a wide range of folk, traditional, religious, contemporary, and multi-cultural music.They perform at our Christmas and Spring concerts and have an opportunity to participate in the Musical Miniatures and choir. The 4th-8th grade build on this foundation and are introduced to more advanced rhythms and harmonies. Music theory and the principles of reading, notating, and conducting music are also learned. The Ensemble Choir performs at school concerts and the Archdiocesan Choral Festival where they are adjudicated on their professionalism and musicality. A musical is put on each year by the 8th grade class where students perform all roles, sing solo and in groups, (incorporating instruments), and learn backstage and technical skills. The 2nd-8th grade classes each lead one school Mass during the year in song, and all participate in singing events such as the Birthday Party for Jesus, the living rosary, the May Crowning of Mary, and the Living Stations of the Cross.

Library Students in grades one through five have weekly library classes. Through interactive games, they learn the necessary skills required to navigate any library: understanding the Dewey Decimal Classification system, deciphering the card catalogue, and developing research skills. With a large, diverse and quality selection of fiction books, the children are introduced to various genres, fostering a love of books and reading. Grade six, seven and eight have regular visits to the library and opportunities outside class time to use the library resources and check out books. Help is available as they select appropriate books for their various reports. They are always encouraged to make selections for the joy of reading!