Curriculum Overview

Saint Patrick Kids Make all the difference

Saint Patrick Academy sees the early years of development as a better predictor of future success than even the college years. Therefore, the curriculum is integrated, experiential, and value-based, providing a foundation for the love and pursuit of wisdom. Students in Preschool through 8th Grade encounter a lively and life-changing curriculum that prepares them well for future success and happiness. Students study language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and religion in developmentally-appropriate classes.

Building upon the foundation

Building upon the foundation laid in core coursework, SPA offers innovative academic enrichment that brings local programs and opportunities into the school day. The school has partnered with New Heights to create a 30-week long series of classes for students in Grades 3-8 all focusing on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Classes in the SPA STEM Sequence include Geocaching, Orienteering, Robotics, Engineering Challenges, and more.

The school has a long history of offering Spanish classes for students through a unique model of immersion and cultural recognition. Most graduates go on to easily place into Spanish level 2 and are equipped for honors classes in high school.

Language Arts

Saint Patrick Academy believes that a strong foundation in language mechanics and literature provides children with a powerful means of expression. As children move through our curriculum they refine their handwriting, dictionary and organizational skills while their knowledge develops in spelling, vocabulary, composition, and grammar. Through oral activities, students develop speaking and listening skills as well as literary appreciation.

Beginning in 3rd Grade, our focus turns to chapter books. These are read both as a class and independently. Comprehension and interpretation, reference and study skills, and vocabulary development are emphasized at every grade level.

Mathematics

Recently, Saint Patrick Academy updated the math curriculum in all grades to strengthen student experience with mathematical language and conceptual understanding through problem based learning. The enVisions Math curriculum by Scott Foresman was selected for Kindergarten through Grade 6 and Go Math by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt was chosen for Grades 7 and 8. Both programs support students learning through a variety of instructional approaches and include resources for teachers to personalize instruction for students. Teachers often collaborate to ensure optimal skill growth across levels. Our curriculum is structured to lead our graduates into honors level math courses in high school.

Science

In an atmosphere of Christian values, Saint Patrick Academy prepares today’s children for tomorrow’s world by encouraging students to: reverence and respect creation, explore the connection between Faith and scientific investigation, and develop a better understanding of themselves, others, and the world in which they live. Through their study of Life Science, Earth Science, and Physical Science, students learn and practice the scientific method by forming questions, designing research approaches, developing hypotheses through observation and laboratory experiences, analyzing and synthesizing data, and finally, evaluating and communicating results.

Social Studies

The goal of Saint Patrick Academy’s social studies curriculum is to help students understand human relationships within an ever-widening circle. After examining connections with each other and their family, they begin to understand the personal and civic relationships between friends, school, neighborhood, city, state, nation, and the world. Our educators harness children’s natural interest in stories and use the narrative power of history to reveal continuities between the past and the present. In their formal study of US history, students learn about the history of New Hampshire, the development of the United States with special focuses on colonization, independence, expansion, immigration and the Civil War. World history gives students the chance to learn the stories of Ancient empires, Medieval Europe, and the Industrial Revolution.

Religion

The Catholic faith is the main focus of our school ministry. Our faculty are committed to living the faith and, through their examples and expectations, they transmit our faith tradition and Gospel values. Teachers stress the importance of Catholic values in everyday life. Learning to live as joyful Catholics is the primary goal of Saint Patrick Academy.

Each week, all students participate in Holy Mass where our older students prepare readings. Students also take part in traditional Catholic devotions throughout the year, including the Stations of the Cross, Advent prayer services, recitation of the Rosary and the May Crowning to honor Our Blessed Mother. Students select organizations and take an active role in special charitable efforts during the seasons of Lent and Advent.

Through our authentic approach to living our faith, our students come to understand religion as the integral part of life that it is. Religion is not treated as a single subject, but is at the very center of our curriculum.