St. Paul School's traditional core curriculum is based in Religion, Integrated Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies. Please visit our subject pages to learn more about our curriculum.
The Integrated Language Arts program at St. Paul Catholic School provides students with instruction in all aspects of literacy: reading, writing, speaking, listening, visualizing, and thinking. Through ILA, students will develop the necessary competencies needed to communicate effectively.
Writer’s Workshop , the writing component of The Reading and Writing Project, a program developed by Lucy Calkins at Columbia University’s Teacher’s College, has been adopted school-wide. This research based program guides students through the writing process, using mini-lessons, individual conferences and authentic examples of text. Students learn to write with a purpose: to narrate, persuade, and inform. Students are continually challenged to edit and improve their work.
The Journeys Reading Program is a research-based integrated language arts program that has been implemented due to its comprehensive literacy focus. During the early years of literacy development students learn to read with the focus on phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Students continue to develop the ability to predict, ask questions, visualize, make connections, and summarize.
As SPS students enter grades 6-8, supplemental basal readers and other literature are utilized to expand the exposure to various genres.
Novels are included in the curriculum in Grades 2-8. Students analyze and respond to these works of literature in class discussion and written assignments.
Junior Great Books , which incorporates the Shared Inquiry Socratic Method, is implemented K-8 at SPS. This program features high quality literature and in-depth reading, thinking, and writing activities. Students engage in discussions, learn to read and think critically as they interpret challenging texts, participate in rich discussions, and write strong responses with textual evidence.
Latin Roots , a supplemental program in grades 6-8, enhances vocabulary development and awareness.
The Mathematics program emphasizes problem-solving and introduces the student to critical and analytical thinking, a pre-requisite for future studies. The curriculum emphasizes concepts of computation, logic, number relations, measurement, geometry, and problem solving. Curriculum is vertically articulated according to Diocesan and Common Core Standards.
Primary grades focus on the building blocks essential for continued success in mathematics. Students move through basic facts, measurement, fractions, patterns and sequences, decimals, pre-algebra, and algebra. Critical thinking is emphasized in problem solving. Students write in math journals, describing in their own words the concepts learned on a specific day.
Teachers in grades K-8 differentiate instruction to address the multiple levels present in their classrooms. Lessons include cooperative learning, the use of manipulative's, and technology enhancements to engage the students.
Students participate in activities that mimic real-world scenarios to help with the application and retention of skills. Activities include projects dealing with banking, stock market analysis, and retail store practices. Students in the upper school, grades 6-8, are provided small group instruction based on ability.
In grades 2-5, a dedicated math enrichment teacher works with students who perform above grade level, allowing the classroom teacher to provide more individualized instruction.
SPS offers Pre-Algebra and Algebra 1 to all students who qualify. Standardized test scores, classroom performance, and end of year assessment are factors which determine placement.
All math teachers collaborate to facilitate a smooth transition from year to year, sharing successful strategies to meet the needs of each individual student. There is a Professional Learning Community (PLC) dedicated to improving upon the transition of students from the elementary group (grades K-5) to the middle school group (grades 6-8). Teachers examine standardized test scores, classroom assessments, textbooks, and supplemental resources to ensure a smooth transition from concrete to abstract thinking for SPS students.
Textbooks – The Lower School (K – 5) uses the Saxon Math series. The Upper School uses the Holt series – Course 1 (6thgrade) through Pre-Algebra. All Algebra classes use the McDougall Littell Algebra I textbook which aligns with the textbooks used in the Diocesan High Schools.
The SPS Science Program is inquiry based and enforces the scientific method where students are able to expand scientific knowledge and skills through individual and cooperative group experiments and projects.
One of St. Paul School's goals is to provide students with "hands-on" activities and relate concepts to real-life scenarios. This is met through the addition of Science Lab in grades 3-8. The lab teacher's role is to work in conjunction with classroom science teachers in grades 3-8 to enhance the science curriculum with experiments that provide students with opportunities to apply concepts learned.
The Science Fair is attended by school families. Students in grades 5-8 exhibit their work through verbal and visual presentations, highlighting their findings using the scientific method. The recent addition of a WeatherBug weather station provides SPS students with on-site weather data, along with interactive lessons using the WeatherBug Achieve web-based software. Field trips and on-site visitations supplement the science curriculum. The Rutgers Science Bus visit gives students in grades 6-8 the unique opportunity to perform experiments with laboratory scientists from Rutgers University that coincide with a particular topic in their curriculum. Experiments dealing with Matter, Marine Ecology, DNA/Genetics, Petroleum and Oil Exploration, Anthropology, and Micro-Biology are presented at grade level, relating concepts to current practices and theories. Princeton University has also afforded our students the opportunity to visit and work with their scientists.
Field trips that stress social responsibilities in ecology teach SPS students their role in maintaining a safe living environment. For example, a recent trip to the Stony Brook Watershed showed students where water is gathered for human consumption and the delicate balance in nature that must be maintained to ensure water is not contaminated. Students learned what practices they could use to help keep the environment healthy. This very important curricular component helps SPS fulfill its school mission to provide sound spiritual, moral/ethical, and social teachings where students learn to cultivate respect for all, promoting fairness, tolerance, accountability, and compassion in the treatment of others in their daily lives.
The Scientific Method is a vehicle for the acquisition and application of essential life skills. Students learn to ask questions, do research, hypothesize, test, analyze, and reach conclusions. The experiences and activities provided through the enhanced science curriculum will enable students to assume a value-centered role in a global society.
The SPS Social Studies program incorporates Geography, History, and Civics from the earliest recorded history through the beginnings of the 21st century. Coupled with an emphasis on current global issues, this approach increases students' awareness and understanding of themselves in a global society.
Annual field trips enhance the curriculum, which include the 8th grade trip to Washington, D.C., The Constitution Center, Philadelphia, and historical walking tours of Princeton.
The Religious Education program at SPS is one that proclaims the goodness of God and centers on Christ. The curriculum flows from Scripture and presents Catholic doctrine in a way that nurtures faith, hope, and love in students and prepares them for Christian leadership.
Students are actively involved in prayer, liturgical experiences, and social responsibilities.
The Religion program guides students to an understanding of the complex moral issues they will face as adults. Each year, students participate in monthly social justice projects which benefit Adopt-a-Family, Mount Carmel Guild, Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK), a sister parish in Uganda, Cystic Fibrosis Research, HomeFront, and the Holy Childhood Association.
SPS "walks the talk" by living its written mission everyday through the actions of the administration, teachers, parents and students.