ACADEMICS

Classroom Curriculum & Experiential Learning

We focus on education of the whole child. Students are consistently outperforming their grade level in subjects such as math, science, and written expression.

Each classroom focuses on our core mission pillars of academic excellence, spiritual development, building uncompromising character, and the act of service.

 
K3/K4

Academic Excellence: In K3/K4, children begin to learn through both structured and play-based, experiential learning activities. Instructional areas include Religion, Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Art, Music, Health, and Physical Education.

Spiritual Development: In our 3K and 4K, children begin to learn about their faith and discipleship. They do so through prayer throughout the day as part of their learning experiences. They attend and participate in Mass with the rest of the student body. The students receive formal instruction in religion. They become familiar with how we pray, with the Sign of the Cross, and with The Lord’s Prayer. The children also learn about and experience God in our lives through God’s gift of people, God’s gift of Earth and plants, and God’s gift of protection. Students are encouraged to use the talents God has given to them.

Character Development: In 3K and 4K we guide students to develop strong character through the development of a positive self-image, and through experiencing and celebrating their gifts from God. Students will also learn to be polite, fair, accepting, and respectful toward the feelings and needs of others. The children learn to take turns, be kid with their words and their hands, and to be patient with all others.

Service: Beginning in 3K students begin to learn about and participate in serving others. The students serve through praying for others, making cards, and through joining in monthly school service projects through our Knights of the Round Table Program.

 

K5

Academic Excellence: Students in Senior Kindergarten learn through both structured and play-based, experiential learning activities. Instructional areas include Religion, Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Art, Music, Health, and Physical Education. Students participate in experiential learning opportunities through their study of and care for their class tortoises and through the use of various technology resources in our STEAM Lab.

Spiritual Development: Senior Kindergarteners practice their faith and discipleship with Christ through participation in various prayer opportunities throughout the day. They attend and participate in Mass with the rest of the student body. Students learn memorized prayers and about the different Holy Days. The children study God’s creations and read and learn various Bible stories. Also in Senior Kindergarten, students learn about our church and how we show respect for our church. The children know that all people are from God and we respect that God created.

Character Development: In Senior Kindergarten, students continue to learn about the importance of good character. We develop this character through guiding students in taking turns, playing cooperatively with other children, and sharing. Students at this age also learn about the importance of and practice using the fruits of the Holy Spirit: joy, love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control.

Service: Senior Kindergarten students learn about the importance of and participate in serving others. The students serve through praying for others, making cards, collecting donated items, and joining in monthly school service projects through our Knights of the Round Table Program.

 

1st & 2nd Grade

Academic Excellence: In first and second grades, students work hard to develop as readers. Reading skills are developed in students’ curricular work across the instructional disciplines, which include Religion, Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Art, Music, Health, and Physical Education. In first and second grades, students learn to begin using technology as a communication tools, creating their first slid presentations and beginning to work on public speaking through making presentations. Students participate in experiential, hands-on learning activities in their classes including regularly receiving instruction in and creating pieces in our STEAM lab.

Spiritual Development: The 1st and 2nd grade years are magical years in the faith formation of children, culminating in students receiving the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion in the 2nd grade year. Students in these grade levels learn about the life of Jesus, identify and share different forms of prayer in the classroom community, and identify and celebrate Catholic Holy days and seasons. It is also at this level that students begin to participate in the planning and preparation of liturgies for the school and parish community.

Character Development: In first and second grades, teachers work with students on the importance of showing good character, when when no one is looking. Students at this age level are guided to become patient, resilient, responsible, open-minded, and self-reliant.

Service: Students in 1st and 2nd grades learn about and practice the service of others with the monthly school service projects through our Knights of the Round Table program. Additionally, the 1st and 2nd grade students organize and execute service projects annually to support various student selected charities. The children have done service projects such as ringing bells for the Salvation Army, and sold items to raise funds for charities like Sarnelli House, The American Red Cross, Catholic Charities, and more.

 

3rd & 4th Grade

Academic Excellence: In third and fourth grades, students make the important transition from learning to read to reading to learn. Students use the reading skills that have been taught to become stronger in all of their academic disciplines which include Religion, Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Art, Music, Health, and Physical Education. Students in 3rd and 4th grade participate in a variety of experiential, hands-on learning opportunities through science curriculum experiments and through unique field trip opportunities. Students in third and fourth grades build on their public speaking skills through planning for and participating in presentations for the class at least once per month.

Spiritual Development: Students in third and fourth grades continue to develop in their faith through regular participation in the planning and celebration of liturgy. In addition to participation in Mass and regular prayer, the children continue their study of the faith. They learn more deeply what it means to be a follower and disciple of Christ. The students study the Mass, the Beatitudes, the Ten Commandments, the Holy Trinity, basic psalms, and stories of our saints. By the end of fourth grade, students will know traditional prayers by heart and will begin to learn to pray the rosary.

Character Development: Our students are continuing to grow and develop in character in grades 3 and 4. At this age, students continue to be guided to be respectful of all others, including classmates, teachers, and property. Students at this age are also working to grow in personal responsibility and organization. Students are encouraged to work to peacefully settle disagreements while maintaining confidence and being assertive while forgiving.

Service: Students in third and fourth grades learn about and understand the importance of serving others. In addition to the monthly school-wide service projects through our Knights of the Round Table program, the students choose their own service projects and plan and execute them to support various organizations such as Sarnelli House, The American Heart Association, and Leukemia/Lymphoma Society.

 

Middle School (5th through 8th Grade)

Academic Excellence: In middle school, the ultimate academic goal is for the children to be ready for high school. Throughout middle school, the students will use and build on the skills they have learned to become critical thinkers, problem solvers, and strong written and verbal communicators. Students in our middle school use a variety of traditional and technological media to effectively demonstrate and communicate thoughts and learning. Students participate in a variety of experiential learning opportunities including science experiments, STEAM activities, and public speaking competitions like the Modern Woodmen of America School Speech Contest.

Spiritual Development: In middle school, our students have the tremendous opportunity to grow in their faith with the guidance of our pastor, not just as their priest but as their religion teacher. Father Mike Strachota and his Pastoral Associate, Ellen Heitman, provide instruction for the children to help them grow in their knowledge of the life and teachings of Christ and the teachings of the Catholic Church. The children learn about parts of the Mass, sacraments, the prophets, the New Testament, and more. The children also learn new ways to pray. The middle school students are primary servers and help guide others as they learn to serve at Mass. The middle school students regularly participate in the planning and celebration of liturgy, including being the regular readers.

Character Development: In middle school, students strive to be the examples of good character and to guide the younger students in the ways to act as St. Joan of Arc students. The students guide others as they aim to live out our Knight’s Code. The students are guided to love God, listen with their hearts, stand against injustice, protect the weak, respect others, not give offense, speak truth, be generous, persevere, and pursue excellence.

Service: Students in the middle school grades learn the importance of serving the parish and the greater community. These students are all trained as altar servers by the time they graduate 8th grade. They also serve as lectors and music ministers during liturgy. The middle school students select, plan, and execute various service projects in addition to participating in the school monthly service projects through the Knights of the Round Table program. Students have collected donations, organized sales and penny competitions, and raised money to support various charities such as Sarnelli House, the Open Door Café soup kitchen, Leukemia/Lymphoma Society, the American Heart Association, and St. Vincent de Paul Society.

 

ARCHDIOCESE OF MILWAUKEE CURRICULUM

St. Joan of Arc Parish School follows the curriculum expectations of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.  The curricular standards can be found broken down by grade level on the Archdiocese of Milwaukee website via the link below. 

Preschool/Kindergarten K3 - N/A  K4 - N/A K5     
Primary/Intermediate 1st Grade 2nd Grade 3rd Grade 4th Grade
Middle School 5th Grade 6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade