Moving Towards a Catholic Liberal Arts Curriculum

Moving Towards a Catholic Liberal Arts Curriculum

By Bob Schell, Principal

A Catholic Liberal Arts curriculum enhances critical thinking and is a great platform for developing communication and problem-solving skills. SMG Catholic School has new materials in History, Math, Literacy, English, Physical Education, Spanish, as well as new opportunities in Art and Music. Here is a list of some of the improvements we’ve made to our school curriculum:

• New History Program (Catholic Textbook Project) replacing Social Studies
• New Math Programs (Bridges Math K-2 and Singapore Math 3-8) replacing Common Core Math
• New K-2 Phonics materials (Logic of English)
• New 3-5 Literacy materials (whole- and small-group novels from the Cardinal Newman Society recommended book list)
• New 3-8 Grammar (Well Ordered Language) and Writing (Writing Rhetoric) materials
• New Religion materials (Spirit of Truth by Sophia Institute)
• New Music Program (Voice for Life, K-2 First Steps in Music, 3-4 Conversational Solfege, and 5-8 Alfred’s Essentials of Music Theory)
• New Spanish Program - formerly grades 2-8 and now K-8, using Reading A-Z Spanish version and English-Spanish Bibles
• New Physical Education Program and Equipment (Foundational Fitness)
• Grades 3-8 Choir Program
• Assessment of Religious Knowledge (ARK) annual assessment
• In-School Voice, Piano, and Band lessons.
• In-School Dyslexia tutoring (Learning Atrium)
• Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for 3-6 year olds (four staff trained in summer 2022)
• Classroom Libraries expanded with books from the Cardinal Newman Society recommended list
• Xavier Mission Team retreat with middle school students
• 6th Grade field trip to Saint Francis de Sales Seminary
• Virtues in Practice by the Nashville Dominicans implemented school-wide, which is, “...a way for children in grades prekindergarten through eight to grow closer to Jesus by imitating His life and virtues. It is set up in such a way that a whole school studies the same virtue each month, to provide a whole-school (and at home, whole-family) focus. The program covers 27 virtues over a three-year cycle, with 81 saints held up as models of the virtues.”
• Staff book study: Renewing Catholic Schools
• Staff Professional Development with the Institute for Catholic Liberal Education (3 days)

The idea of cultivating knowledge and Catholic virtue while nourishing an individual’s mind, body, and soul is the best way to educate a child. As an apostolate of the Parish, SMG Catholic School is doing this.

We invite all members of the parish to come see for themselves what the teachers and staff feel is so amazing about their school. Simply contact the school office at 608-271-7551 or school@stmariagoretti.org to schedule a time to visit!