Academics

Grades K-5: Our elementary Language Arts Program strives to cultivate lifelong learners who view reading and writing not only as fundamental tools of communication but as sources of discovery and inspiration. Shared stories, both written and spoken, build our foundation, and an array of books of every style establishes the framework for our program. Building upon our phonetic skills learned in primary levels, the intermediate level focuses on comprehension, vocabulary, and fluency in reading. We seek to help young learners become thoughtful, critical, and imaginative readers and writers as well as speakers and listeners.

The relationship between reading and writing is fostered in our language-rich classrooms, where students read for information as well as pleasure and write to convey concepts. Our penmanship program, Handwriting Without Tears, is introduced in the primary years and extends from the beginning printer to the experienced cursive writer. Our curriculum is designed to nurture varied reading styles and interests and to challenge readers to make connections and explore different authors and genres. SRS students learn the process of writing—including drafting, revising, editing, and proofing—as essential steps to mastering the craft. Our Language Arts Program promotes student success through our small-group instruction—a major component in the customized education for which SRS is known.

Grades 6-8: The Language Arts Program at SRS seeks to develop thoughtful, creative, and critical thinkers through reading and writing as well as speaking and listening. Our robust curriculum teaches students to read effectively, challenge assumptions, and think critically. In addition to learning proper English mechanics and style, students are taught how to interpret written material, analyze writing from different perspectives, conduct research for projects, and to write with clarity.

By enjoying a variety of literature, students become aware of other cultures, consider moral conflicts, and are exposed to values different from their own. Through their study of grammar, SRS middle-school students become more effective speakers and writers who are comfortable with English conventions and style. Our small-group instruction in reading continues through middle school and plays a major role in promoting student success in the subject of Language Arts.

Grades K-5: The math program is designed to help our students approach the subject with enthusiasm. We use Saxon Math in all grades. Saxon builds mastery by introducing new math concepts while constantly reviewing previously learned ones. Drawing on this foundation of skills, children are encouraged to explore an array of problem-solving approaches, to be comfortable with taking risks, and to be open to employing different strategies.

Our students enjoy a variety of experiences in our elementary school math program. They receive instruction in small groups, work independently as well as in teams, use manipulative tools, and play math games.

As the students’ math skills evolve, they expand their thinking from hands-on exercises to abstract reasoning. They learn to use concrete, verbal, and symbolic models to solve problems. Real-life data and scenarios provide the opportunity for our learners to analyze, design strategies, estimate, and calculate. In keeping with our cross-curricular approach to learning, math themes are integrated into other areas of study. The analytical and creative skills developed in our math program foster methods that can be applied to all types of learning.

Grades 6-8: The Math Department at St. Raphael School provides a rigorous program designed to meet a student at his or her individual level. Saxon Math continues in grades 6-8, where the spiral formatting allows for a deeper understanding of content and facilitates logical reasoning and problem solving. Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2 are offered for those students capable of working at a more advanced level. Small-group instruction is employed across grade levels.

Students are assessed in math on a regular basis in class and three times a year using Scantron testing. Growth is monitored and analyzed to continue to understand the budding math student and meet him or her at the appropriate level.

Grades K-8: Our Catholic faith permeates every aspect of who we are at St. Raphael School. The study of religion is a way of life and is the starting point in all that we do. At St. Raphael School, the entire student body begins each day in church for Morning Prayer, which sets the tone for how we go forth into our day. Formal religion classes are taught at each grade level and are guided by the religion standards set forth by the Archdiocese of Washington. We also teach the Catholic faith through service, weekly Mass, daily prayer, and the discussion of morals and values across the curriculum. As illustrated by our motto, Fides et Ratio (Faith and Reason), our Catholic faith is alive at St. Raphael School.

K-5: Children are natural scientists with endless curiosity. Employing a variety of techniques, materials, and technology, students in kindergarten through fifth grade receive classroom instruction to develop an understanding of the world around them. Using the Academic Standards of the Archdiocese of Washington as a framework, lessons are crafted to be engaging experiences that build interest and establish a foundation for the development of scientific knowledge. To support and enhance the classroom instruction, the elementary school students visit the Science Lab weekly for hands-on activities. Young students classify, measure, build, take apart, and learn scientific principles through trial and error. In so doing, students learn about themselves and the world that God has created.

6-8: As students transition into middle school, the concepts learned in early grades are built upon and expanded. Students are prepared for high school through vigorous coursework in life, physical, and earth sciences. Lab experience remains a vital part of learning science at St. Raphael School. Students explore the cell through the lens of a microscope and then whole body systems by dissecting both a frog and a squid. Earth concepts are explored through computer activities, but also by identifying minerals in sand from across the world. Physical sciences are most naturally adapted to the lab. Identifying physical and chemical changes, building atoms, and exploring Newton's law of motion help students solidify concepts learned from the book. Students continue learning through trial and error, but they also use the scientific process to design their own labs, analyze results, and make conclusions. Middle-school students participate in a judged science fair, and all students participate in an end-of-year engineering project.

Grades K-5: The mission of social studies in grades kindergarten through fifth is to provide experiences that develop in students the knowledge, concepts, strategies, and skills needed to promote citizenship in a diverse world. Good social studies instruction is meaningful, engaging, and challenging.

Social studies concepts are woven throughout our curriculum. Lessons actively engage students in the content of social studies by interacting with a variety of resources and then demonstrating what they have learned through various performance-based and traditional assessments. This approach has an internal support structure for students with different types of learning styles and provides natural opportunities for differentiated instruction.

Grades 6-8: Middle-school social studies is an integration of the social sciences that explain human relationships within society and the world around us. Students are encouraged to develop the skills necessary to become informed citizens of our world. The following disciplines are included in social studies classes:

• Geography—understanding the world around us, including the five themes of geography

• Civics—the role students play as citizens in a democratic society

• Government and law—understanding our democratic republic and the Charters of Freedom, including the Constitution

• History—understanding past events and their impact on the world today

• Economics—understanding the different types of economies and the transfer and consumption of material goods

• Religion—a reflection on our Catholic faith and other faiths in the world to gain a deeper appreciation of all cultures

In sixth grade, we study ancient civilizations, the Middle Ages, Renaissance, Enlightenment, early North and South American civilizations, and settlement of the Americas by European countries.

In seventh grade, we study the continent of Africa, the early African civilizations into the Middle East. Then we move into Asia, with a study of the Indian sub-continent, China, Japan, the Koreas (including ancient and modern history), and Oceania.

In eighth grade, we study the American Revolution until Reconstruction.

Grades K-5: Through songs and games, students in the lower grades learn basic vocabulary and short sentences that will become the foundation for future years of learning. Traditional Hispanic songs, chants, rhymes, games, stories, and written activities are part of our regular lessons. Classes start with a prayer in Spanish, and religious and Hispanic holidays, as well as cultural celebrations, are introduced during the course of the year.

Through their early school years, students learn by familiarizing themselves with new words and simple sentences, adding to the previously mastered vocabulary. Special attention is given to pronunciation and basic reading skills, ensuring that our young learners build a strong foundation.

Grades 6-8: Our goal is to give each student the opportunity to learn Spanish as a way to advance their readiness once they leave for high school. Each student is able to learn Spanish at his or her own pace to acquire high-level language skills. At SRS, we incorporate Rosetta Stone Education's thematic units and interactive lessons. The teacher acts as a guide during interactive instruction and independent practice. Students progress through the program by working for 30 minutes each class period at their own pace under the guidance of a trained instructor. Each class includes application practices, where students apply what they have learned through conversations with classmates under the supervision of the teacher. One of the advantages of Rosetta Stone system is the management feature, which allows each student's progress to be monitored. Parents can be updated on the progress of their child at any time as requested.

Technology and Library

The St. Raphael School Library and Media Center is our crown jewel. In addition to being a beautiful space that lends itself to learning and reading, our library offers an inventory that exceeds 11,000 books. Our librarian and media specialist leverage many critical thinking skills as they work with the students. Specifically, they:

• Create an enjoyment of reading in the entire school
• Teach the students how to choose appropriate books
• Develop basic research skills and educate students on how to use a library
• Introduce the children to many different types of fiction and non-fiction

Technology is an integral part of education at St. Raphael School. We have invested significant resources into our technology program—both in the software used to evaluate and enhance the education of the child and in the hardware in the classrooms. Teachers and students alike access up-to-date equipment, resources, and instruction. All of these solutions are woven together to equip our students to learn in the 21st century.

Computer Lab in the Media Center

• The SRS Media Center is furnished with 27 computer workstations. At each station, a student can experience the full desktop environment, with a mouse, full-sized keyboard and monitor, or the student can undock the laptop to become mobile and participate in group projects.
• Each workstation offers Microsoft Office 365 programs, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Publisher. In addition, students access web applications such as TypingClub.com, IXL.com, and many more child-friendly learning sites.
• Throughout the year, students learn about using technology responsibly, and they are introduced to and challenged with coding, keyboarding, Microsoft Office applications, and other topics, all in a collaborative, supportive academic atmosphere.

Wifi

SRS has wireless access points throughout the building to enable the use of technology inside the classroom and other locations throughout the campus.

iPads and Surface Tablets

All middle-schoolers and their teachers are in the 1-to-1 iPad program. The tablets enhance the students’ cross-curricular learning and introduce them to using technology for academic purposes. The iPads are used throughout the school day and taken home for further educational use. 


Promethean Boards

All teaching spaces/classrooms have Promethean interactive whiteboards that offer numerous online resources and activities through ClassFlow as well as printing capabilities. Promethean boards are not giant TVs; they allow both students and teachers the opportunity to interact using computers or digital pens.

Classroom Laptops

The classrooms, enrichment rooms, Spanish room, Science Lab, and School Library are equipped with laptops for use in small groups, whole group, or individual student use. The Spanish class (fourth through eighth grades) utilizes Rosetta Stone software to supplement teacher interaction to ensure personalized learning at a student's own pace.

Scantron Testing

Performance Series testing is administered to all students using an online academic assessment. This occurs at the beginning, middle, and end of the school year for grades 3-8 (less frequently for lower grades) and generates immediate test results. The information identifies areas of mastery and areas in need of further study, which helps determine the appropriate placement for our small-group instruction.

SAFARI Montage

With more than 130,00 images to choose from, SAFARI Montage allows teachers to customize lesson plans and introduce concepts.

• Long gone are the days of 30-minute movies about a volcano! Instead, teachers can select a shorter clip to correlate specifically to their lesson.
• Images and video are from a wide range of productions, including National Geographic and Bill Nye the Science Guy.
• Closed-captioning is available. This is often used in younger grades for help with reading.
• Spanish audio tracks (with English closed-captioning) are also available.

Faculty Training

Technology introduction, implementation, and training classes, including webinars, are offered throughout the year for faculty.

SPARK P.E.

At St. Raphael School, we have enhanced our already successful physical education program by incorporating the SPARK (Sports, Play, and Active Recreation for Kids) program. With its motto of "Healthy kids are better learners," SPARK P.E. is designed to be inclusive, active, and fun. Backed by more than 20 years of ongoing research, SPARK boasts one of the strongest physical education programs around. As documented by more than 45 publications, SPARK P.E. students:

• boost their scores on standardized tests in reading, mathematics, and language
• improve their fitness achievement and sports skills
• increase their overall enjoyment of P.E.

At SRS, we have our popular SPARK Room, which serves many purposes, including allowing students in fifth grade and up access before school starts and, at lunchtime, to get a fitness boost by using the elliptical, stationary bikes, or punching bags. Additionally, our SPARK instructors integrate the room and its equipment into the daily P.E. classes with timed workouts and fitness challenges that focus on individual accomplishment and improvement.

SPARK P.E. is one of several SPARK programs aimed toward improving the health of children, adolescents, and adults.

For more about the importance of P.E. in a school’s curriculum, refer to this story from The New York Times: Phys Ed: Can Exercise Make Kids Smarter?