Curriculum

 

 

 

A Saint Christopher Academy education reflects both academic excellence and a Catholic identity. Saint Christopher is committed to the whole child, including academic preparation, self-discipline, moral values and spiritual growth. Our teachers blend creativity, discipline, experience, and innovation to help children grow into happy and productive individuals.

 

Our emphasis is providing an education utilizing structured, proven methods supported by the latest in educational technology. Our curriculum challenges students in reading, writing, oral expression, mathematics, social studies and science. On a typical day, students at the lower campus might practice their math tables with a timed test or participate in a spelling bee, then later take a virtual field trip to ancient Greece or play an online learning game!  Students at the Upper Campus might work on a research paper for English class, then explore motors and propellers in Engineering.  

 

We offer an Accelerated Math program to 5th and 6th grade students who demonstrate readiness to learn higher level math skills. It is a fast-paced pre-algebra program geared to students with exceptional math abilities.  Students are invited into this program based on prior grades, test scores, and aptitude.  Students taking this class receive grades in their regular math class as well as in this program.  The Accelerated Math program meets three times per week for an hour each meeting. It includes whole class instruction, independent practice, and group work, with the goals of establishing self-motivated mathematical thinkers and preparing students for more advanced courses.  Once at the upper campus, qualified students have the opportunity to take upper level math such as algebra and geometry.

 

Daily instruction in religion and weekly classes in computer science, music, art, library, Spanish and physical education provide additional avenues to discover the joys of reading, research, knowledge and physical well-being.   Most recently, in September 2019 we were excited to open a new 2,000 square foot Fine Arts Center on the lower campus. Located in a renovated convent, the Center houses a large art classroom, an equally large music room, two handicapped accessible bathrooms, interactive whiteboards, and extra storage. The Fine Arts Center further enhances Saint Christopher’s robust student programming in art, music, and drama. 

 

Homework

We believe in the discipline and benefits of homework. Grades 1-8 follow guidelines for assignments Monday through Thursday, with additional projects throughout the year.  

 

 

 

Common Core

 

Saint Christopher Academy Common Core Position Statement

 

Saint Christopher Academy does not plan on adopting the Common Core and is not required to do so by the State of New Hampshire. However, as responsible educators, our school actively reviews the National Catholic School Standards as well as the New Hampshire Standards and develops our curriculum appropriately. We continuously renew our commitment to the traditional purposes of schooling – teaching children, producing intelligent and participatory citizens, and encouraging innovation and creativity – as well as to our Catholic values. We enjoy academic freedom as a nonpublic school, where we are in control of the learning process. Our focus is to be vigilant in keeping our curriculum rigorous and relevant and to ensure that the faith and education of our children is not compromised. 

 

Special note to current parents: You may notice that some of our newer curriculum books say “Common Core” on the front cover.  These books have not changed in content.  They have either added a section to the back of the book for Common Core practice or have added asterisks to the teacher’s edition denoting what would need to be taught to follow the Common Core.  We do not change our curriculum to meet these standards, as we go above and beyond these standards in order to meet and exceed our Saint Christopher curriculum goals.  If at any time one of our curriculum books no longer meets the standards of Saint Christopher Academy, we will re-evaluate and make necessary changes. 

 

Diocese of Manchester Guidelines  

 

As a Diocesan school, Saint Christopher Academy also follows the guidelines below from the Diocese of Manchester:

 

“The Diocese of Manchester is not planning to adopt formally or to require its schools to develop its curriculum solely on the basis of the Common Core State Standards. Our principals and teachers, however, are expected to be cognizant of all such standards and their impact for several reasons, two of which are 1) that the content of many standard textbooks takes the CCSS into account and 2) that many students in our grammar schools go on to public high schools and we have an obligation to make sure they are prepared for that transition. Our principals and teachers are intent on providing the best education they can for our students and thus they draw on a variety of resources and programs in order to fashion a curriculum that best serves our students in the context of our schools and their mission of the Catholic Church.”