Environment
The Upper School curriculum is presented in a cheerful, modern, updated environment in order to enable teachers and students to perform at their very best. Effective teachers try and use classroom management techniques to build a classroom that is conducive to teaching and learning. They try and anticipate the needs and wants of all of their students, as well as anything unexpected that may occur. Our nurturing atmosphere allows our students to feel welcome and safe. Each teacher’s classroom furniture is arranged to allow for conversation about the lesson being taught between student to student and teacher to student. Most classroom employ the Harkness method. The conversations prepare the students to think critically and to see different views of the topics being discussed. It is not long before one hears vibrant and rich classroom conversations spilling out into the hall. Students in the Upper School move between six teachers for the core subjects. Students also move to specialties where students work on projects in art, music computer in the innovation Lab, enjoy gym, foreign language and STEM. After a morning of study, the students move to the cafeteria where they have a choice of a catered lunch or a lunch from home. The students also have a large outdoor space with two adjustable basketball systems alongside a play space covered with astro turf over six inches of padding for those unexpected falls.
The following are some of the enrichment programs that we have offered:
- Marvelous Marvin: How the Body Works (PreK-8)
- Theatre Works: Through the Eyes of a Friend (the World of Anne Frank) (4-8)
- Catholic Schools Week activities (PreK-8)
- Ira the Science Guy: Messy Halloween Science Experiments (PreK-8)
- Museum of Science: Motion, Speed & Velocity (6-8)
- Annual trip to Nature’s Classroom (6)
- Annual trip to NY or Washington DC (8)
- STEM class
- Advanced Math for all qualifying students
- Innovation Lab with 3D Printers
- Up to date Science Lab
- Student Council
- School Newspaper
- Annual Science and Social Studies Fair
- Junior National Honor Society
- Student Council Participation
- Enthusiastic faculty that loves what they do
