Resurrection Parish Catholic School

Academics

All academic programs at Resurrection School follow diocesan objectives (Diocese of St. Augustine Diocesan Syllabus) that are updated on a rotating basis every three years, reflecting teacher suggestions and revisions. Programs offer core academic subjects such as religion, language arts, science, math and social studies as well as enrichment classes such as art, music, technology, media and physical education.

Religion

Religion is an integral part of all subject areas at Resurrection School through the daily living of Gospel values, learning to respect and value fellow human beings, stewardship of the environment and service to others. All grades strengthen their religious development through weekly Mass. Christian living and Catholic identity is integrated into every part of the school day including academics, lunch and recess time, and peer interactions.

Grades PK-2:
Scripture-based
Focuses on Creation, the Church community, the life of Jesus, the Sacraments, and the Blessed Trinity
Prayers learned: the Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be and Blessing before Meals.
Additional objectives: the lives of the Saints, the Golden Rule, and Mary as the mother of Jesus
The Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion are completed in grade 2.
Grades 3-5:
Focuses on the seven sacraments, the Beatitudes, the Ten Commandments, the parts of the Mass, and the Church Seasons
Students prepare for and participate in the Mass and facilitate the Mass throughout the year.
Grades 6-8:
Focuses on understanding the Old Testament and New Testament
Eighth graders also learn about the gifts of the Holy Spirit while preparing to receive Confirmation in the spring.

Language Arts

Continual assessment in all areas of the Language Arts program using formal and informal methods are a key component to evaluation and remediation in Resurrection’s teaching practices. One of the main components of this assessment is the students’ experience of writing across the curriculum through the use of writers’ workshops and the Diocesan writing portfolio.

Grades PK-2:
PK—phonemic awareness, emergent literacy skills, building vocabulary
K-2—phonemic awareness, word analysis skills, vocabulary, reading fluency and comprehension of text
Emphasis on development of oral language skills and writing
Spelling instruction and assessment
Handwriting reinforcement using the D’Nealian-style writing.
Grades 3-5:
Emphasis on reading and reading comprehension
Vocabulary, evaluation, word meaning, correct grammar usage, spelling and sentence structure, use of graphic sources and organizers
Reading instruction in whole group settings and in small-leveled reading groups, with comprehension and fluency reinforced in the small groups
Cooperative learning groups used for peer editing, revising, and working on writing assignments, projects and presentations
Technology used to conduct research, utilize Safari Montage to enhance lessons, and to administer Accelerated Reader
Grades 6-8:

Emphasis on writing and the writing process
Expand knowledge base by composing a range of essays: expository, persuasive, speeches for the Modern Woodmen competition, and research papers
Cross-curricular projects with social studies and science
Peer editing of formal writing pieces
Reading, writing, and discussion skills developed simultaneously
Literature includes textbook and minimum three novels quarterly from an approved list
Spelling/vocabulary program

Mathematics

classroom The mathematics program follows the progression of math concepts described in the diocesan curriculum throughout each grade level.

Grades PK-2:
PK—basic shape identification, working with manipulatives to develop numeration skills, trait comparisons, and pattern creation
Kindergarten—telling time, counting money, writing numerals, higher counting, and creating and extending larger patterns
Grade 1—transition from concrete to representational to abstract concepts, place value understanding, addition and subtraction skills up to two-digit numbers
Grade 2—understanding math language and problem solving strategies, addition and subtraction skills up to three-digit numbers.
Grades 3-5:

Continuous building on previously learned math concepts and computation skills, use of higher-level thinking and reasoning skills to solve and create real world problems
Calculate and problem-solve using geometry, algebra concepts, and measurement
Data collection and analysis involving graphing and averaging
Grades 6-8:

Middle School math consists of the following grade progression:
6th grade—Mathematics
7th grade—Pre-Algebra (I) and Advanced Pre-Algebra
8th grade—Pre-Algebra (II) and Algebra'
Grade 6—introduction to algebraic thinking, understanding of the four basic operations of whole numbers, fractions, and decimals, introduction to integers
Pre-Algebra—two-year program, allows students to progress through the curriculum at a slower pace. Stresses enhancement of student learning and understanding while emphasizing skills needed to advance to Algebra I.
Advanced Pre-Algebra—one-year course placing emphasis on critical thinking, problem solving skills, and algebraic reasoning in preparation for Algebra I as an 8th grade
Algebra—learning properties, sets of numbers, and operations over those sets of numbers, solving equations and inequalities with rational numbers, complex rational numbers and radicals, factor polynomials and carry out operations with polynomial expressions and equations

Social Studies

The social studies curriculum is a study of communities and development of civilizations, especially the United States. Awareness of civic duty is a key focus of the Resurrection curriculum. Citizenship lessons begin by learning the Pledge of Allegiance, and doing service projects to help others, learning classroom and school rules, and understanding laws and consequences increase social responsibility.
Grades PK-2:

PK—family and friends, community helpers
K-2—comparing communities near and far, map skills, primary directions, develop knowledge of needs and wants, goods and services, fundamentals of economic systems
Introduced to American folklore through stories and music, and all learn the American holidays and their origins. By second grade they are incorporating American history, current events, communication, and transportation into their studies.
Grades 3-5:

People in their world, ranging from local communities to the Western Hemisphere
European contribution concerning the Catholic religion
Understanding the government of the United States
Grades 6-8:

Catholic principles of social justice and respect for the nation’s cultural diversity
Grade 6—history and geography of the Eastern Hemisphere
Grade 7 and 8—American History from the pre-Columbian era through modern times, National Geographic Bee
Current events such as the 2008 presidential election

Science

The goal of the science curriculum is for students to analyze the world around them. Students at every grade level take a hands-on approach to the subject matter and use the scientific method to observe and discuss nature and its properties.

Grades PK-2:

Physical science, habitats, recycling
Life and Earth sciences, including life cycle of plants, weather, and health/nutrition
Science manipulatives used to measure, demonstrate, record data, predict, and explore

Grades 3-5:

Learn scientific method
Reading and math skills used to decipher text and illustrations, measure and record data
Learn to outline and diagram information

Grades 6-8:

Grade 6—Earth Science
Grade 7—Life Science
Grade 8—Physical Science
Minimum 3-5 labs or activities per quart

Enrichment Resources

Physical Education
Art
Music
Media Center
Technology
Spanish (grades 3-8)
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Additional Academic Programming

After school teacher remedial sessions
Weekly volunteer tutoring program for grades K-4
After school tutoring sessions with Jacksonville University students
Title I services (for those who live in qualifying area)
Duke TIP Program (to identify students to participate in weekly Gifted Program)
Accelerated Reader and Accelerated Math
Peer tutoring
National Geography Bee, the Modern Woodmen Speech Contest, and Spelling Bee
Extension Program offerings—Young Rembrandts (art), Karate Arts, First Coast School of Music (band and individual lessons)

Upon Graduation

Alumni data for the past five years indicate that the majority of students (over 50%) that graduate from Resurrection Catholic School attend their diocesan Catholic high school of choice, be it Bishop Kenny High School, Bishop Snyder High School, or St. Joseph’s Academy. Of the graduating class of 2008, 22 of the 28 students (79%) opted to attend Bishop Kenny High School.

Awards and Recognitions

RPCS recognizes the talents and skills of students many ways. At the end of each academic quarter students who have achieved the A/B or All-A Honor Roll in grades 3-8 are given certificates, recognized at Mass, and grades 6-8 honorees are invited to a special luncheon. At the close of the academic school year recognition is given to students who have shown scholastic and personal achievement.

Additionally, all students are recognized for the God-given gifts within each person. Character awards are distributed after Mass monthly identifying how each student shares those gifts with the community in connection with that year’s school theme.

Christ-centered environment fostering academic excellence and life-long Gospel values

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