Curriculum Overview
St. John Catholic Academy Curriculum
The educational program centers on research to lead student learning. St. John Catholic Academy expands the learning environment, emphasizing innovative teaching and learning, maximizing academic achievement for all students, and promoting high expectations for the school community to become responsible, productive, lasting learners.
St. John Catholic Academy’s academic curriculum exceeds Florida State Department of Education standards, and instruction is based on the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee educational benchmarks.
St. John Catholic Academy is one of three schools in the Diocese to pilot the integration of a classical liberal arts education into our curriculum.
The students at St. John Catholic Academy are challenged and stimulated through our classical curriculum. Starting in Kindergarten, students receive accelerated instruction in math, reading, and spelling. After students achieve skill mastery in reading, instruction focuses on unabridged classic literature, literary analysis, grammar, and composition.
Students who graduate from St. John Catholic Academy are strong readers, mathematicians, English grammarians, public speakers, logical thinkers, and disciplined learners. They will have solid common knowledge of American and world history, geography, literature, physical and life sciences, and the fine arts.
St. John Catholic Academy embraced the flexibility of a Parochial school system to redesign the school structure. The structure of extended time for core subjects, paired with the ability to work above grade-level is aligned with the school’s mission to maximize achievement, improve motivation, and increase safety. Access to technology provides content linked to student interest, motivation, and aptitude.
Classical Curriculum
We offer the Classical Liberal Arts Education model. Catholic liberal education is the cultivation of faith and reason for full human flourishing. Based in the liberal arts and sciences, this educational vision that was developed by the Catholic Church was the gold standard of formation for centuries. These new concepts will enable our children to achieve critical thinking skills versus the fragmented method many other types of schools use of “teaching to the test.” This program will allow students to understand the joyful pursuit of faith, wisdom, and virtue. While recent attention has been at the revival of liberal learning in higher education, we understand that these habits of mind and heart must first be cultivated in the very young. The sacramental and moral imagination is nurtured in childhood. To learn more about the Classical Liberal Arts Education model, please visit https://catholicliberaleducation.org.
Memoria Press
Middle School Mathematics
The middle school math curriculum provides students with math skills necessary for successful living in society. Advanced students in grades seven and eight are placed in Pre-Algebra or Algebra I classes, sometimes rotating Geometry in alternating school years based on the skill level and interest of the middle school students. Graduates from our math program may be placed into Algebra I Honors or Honors Geometry in area high schools’ advanced programs.
Science
FOSS
Religion / Faith Formation
As a Catholic school, we recognize parents as the primary educators of their children. Our teachers work to develop strong partnerships in supporting the child’s faith formation while at school. Our Religious Education features:
- Scripture ~ Daily integration with school life
- Prayer ~ Daily integration with school life
- Service ~ Class and school-wide projects of Community Outreach
- Celebration of the Eucharist ~ Students and Faculty attend Mass every Wednesday for prayer and worship
- Disciple of Christ – Education in Faith, Education in Virtue, and Education in Prayer
- Sacramental Preparation ~ Provided for families who are guiding their children through the Roman Catholic Rites of Initiation. For more information, contact Charlotte Dickey, Coordinator for Faith Formation at St. John Catholic Church.
Foreign Language
Second grade through eighth grade studies Latin. Why Latin? Latin is the language of law, government, logic and theology and effectively develops and trains the formative minds of our students. Here are the top 10 reasons for studying Latin. Want more information about why we study Latin? Click here!
Arts
Our performing arts program fosters an interest in and appreciation of music through instrumentation, song and movement, and art expression. Visual art is integrated with literature and history in every grade level and explores various periods and world artists.
Physical Education
The physical education curriculum at St. John Catholic Academy develops fine and gross motor skills and fosters sportsmanship and team building. St. John also offers an intramural style sports program for Kindergarten through 5th grade including flag football, soccer, and running club.
Technology
The school website includes general information, communication from administration and teachers, and a gallery of activities and events. In addition to our general website, we use PowerSchool, an online service, to post grades and progress reports for parental access. Google Classroom is used for homework and classwork communication.
Academic Formation Highlights:
- High Academic Standards
- Classical Liberal Arts Education Model
- Enrichment and Resource Programs
- State of the Art Science and Computer Labs
- Foreign Language (Latin grades 2-9)
- Art and Music Programs
- Florida Catholic Conference Accreditation
- Florida State Certification
- Teacher ongoing educational programs