The goal for each class at GACS is to provide a developmentally appropriate learning environment for all students. For this reason, each class is grounded in curriculum and assessment, enrichment, faith, and a variety of teaching practices that allow each child to find his/her place in the classroom.
Programs for Kindergarten
- Diocese of St. Petersburg Benchmarks and Standards
- Florida Sunshine State Standards
- Envision Math
- Calendar Math
- Shared and Guided Reading
- Differentiated learning
- Field Day
- Foreign Language Class
- Surprise Readers (Parent Involvement)
- Fourth Grade Buddies/Reading Buddies
- Guidance
- Hands-on learning
- Off-campus field trips related to class themes
- On-campus field trips related to class and school themes
- Starfall Beginning Language/Reading Program
- STREAM Programs
- IXL Diagnostic Math and Reading Assessment
- Starfall Beginning Language/Reading Program
- Formative and Summative Assessments in the classroom.
- Present in all areas of the curriculum
- Catholic teachings and social values are integrated into all subject areas
- Subjects are integrated into themes and benchmark goals
- Writing across the curriculum integrated into all subject areas
- STREAM Special weekly
- Play-based Learning: Emphasizes learning through play, which is considered essential for cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. Activities are often child-directed, fostering creativity and problem-solving skills.
- All Subject Integration in accordance with being a STREAM school
- Weekly Mass
- Fourth Grade Mass Buddies
- Guidance
- Service Learning Projects/Collections for our Community
- School Wide Faith Based Retreats
- Class Liturgies
- First Friday Rosary as a School Community
Programs for Grades 1-2
- Diocese of St. Petersburg Benchmarks and Standards
- Florida BEST State Standards
- Superkids Reading Program with Integration of Writing
- Small Literacy and math groups (differentiated)
- Envision Math
- Science- Hands on learning based
- Religion- First Holy Communion Preparation (2nd Grade)
- Differentiated learning
- Drama and Plays Integrated
- Math puzzles and manipulative activities (e.g., counting blocks, sorting shapes) to reinforce numeracy skills.
- Field Days
- Field Trips
- Foreign Language Class
- Guest speakers
- Hands-on learning activities
- Math manipulatives
- Special projects
- Career Day
- STREAM Enrichment
- Student Presentations/Projects
- Assessment through cooperative learning activities
- Formal – written and oral tests and quizzes
- Individual assessment
- Informal – student projects and presentations
- Terra Nova Assessment- Grade 2
- Portfolios
- Rubrics – writing, projects, and presentations
- Teacher observation
- Writing
- Present in all areas of the curriculum
- Catholic teachings and social values are integrated into all subject areas
- Subjects are integrated into themes and benchmark goals
- Writing across the curriculum integrated into all subject areas
- STREAM Special weekly
Integrated Curriculum:
- Integrates various subjects (such as language arts, mathematics, science, social studies) into cohesive learning experiences.
Cooperative Learning:
- Involves collaborative group activities where students work together to achieve common learning goals.
- Promotes social skills, teamwork, and communication while enhancing academic learning through peer interaction.
Literacy Rich environment:
Fosters a love for reading and writing while building foundational literacy skills, through read alouds, small reading groups and literacy based activities.
- Class liturgies
- Contemplative guided prayer
- First Communion preparation
- First Friday Rosary
- First Reconciliation preparation
- Grace before and after meals
- Morning and afternoon prayer
- Saint Parade
- Stations of the Cross
Programs for Grades 3-4
- Diocese of St. Petersburg Benchmarks and Standards
- Florida BEST Standards
- Reading- Myview Literacy Program
- Math-Envision Math
- Religion- Spirit of Truth
- Science-Interactive Science (with Labs/experiments/Dissections)
- Integration of Social Issues and Current Events
- Assessment through cooperative learning activities
- Enrichment Program
- Floridian Wax Museum (4th Grade)
- Weekly Response to Intervention Program
- Fourth Grade Buddies/Reading Buddies
- Book Battle/ Spelling Bee/ Brain Bowl Competitions
- Curriculum-based projects
- Enterprise Village – Grade 5
- Field Day
- Field trips
- Foreign Language Class
- Guest speakers
- Individual and small group learning projects
- Informal-student projects and daily work
- Integration of Social Issues and Current Events
- Internet research/Student Presentations
- Sports – Grade 5
- STREAM Programs
- Technology/Robotics program
- Writing Across the Curriculum
- Assessment through cooperative learning activities
- Formal- written and oral tests and quizzes
- Informal-student projects and daily work
- Terra Nova Assessment
- Writing
- Application of subject area knowledge as it relates to social issues and current events
- Catholic teachings and social values are integrated into all subject areas
- Liturgy themes integrate with social issues and current events
- Writing Across the Curriculum
Literacy and Numeracy Development:
- Continues to build upon foundational literacy skills (reading fluency, comprehension, writing) and numeracy skills (mathematical operations, problem-solving).
Collaborative Learning and Peer Interaction:
- Promotes cooperative group activities where students work together to achieve learning goals.
- Develops social skills, teamwork, communication, and empathy through collaborative projects and discussions.
Differentiated Instruction and Personalized Learning:
- Adapts teaching methods, materials, and assessments to accommodate diverse learning needs and styles.
- Provides opportunities for students to pursue interests and strengths through project-based learning or choice-based activities.
- Class Masses
- First Friday Rosary
- Grace before and after a meal
- Guest speakers
- Schoolwide Faith Based Retreats
- Altar Serving
- Morning and afternoon prayer
- Prayer services
- Reconciliation
- Stations of the Cross
Programs for Grades 5-8
- Diocese of St. Petersburg Benchmarks and Standards
- Florida Sunshine State Standards
- Reading- Myview Literacy Program (5th), Novel Studies (6th-8th)
- Math-Differentiated Levels within the classroom (Fast Track available)
- Religion- Spirit of Truth, You Cat, Bible, Encounter (Ascension Press)
- Science-Elevate (with Labs/experiments/Dissections)
- Social Studies-Civics, World History, Economics
- ELA block includes creative writing
- Anthology of Writing – Grade 8
- Talent Showcase – Grade 8
- Celebration of Learning
- Dances
- Enrichment Program
- Field Day
- Field trips
- Finance Park – Grade 7
- Foreign Language Class
- Guest speakers
- Guidance
- Health
- Interdisciplinary projects
- Internet research
- Morning TV broadcasts
- Political elections
- Service-oriented projects
- Sports Program
- STREAM Programs
- Student Council
- Videos
- Formal tests and quizzes on homework, classwork, and projects
- Integrated curriculum
- Quarterly IXL Diagnostics
- Terra Nova Assessment
- Final Exams
- Probationary reports
- Projects/activities require cross-curricular skills
- Science laboratory experiments i.e. Dissections
- Student presentations
- Subject integration
- Teacher observation
- Virtual interactive labs
- Writing in all subjects
- Competitions
- Formal tests and quizzes for homework, classwork, and projects
- Games
- Group discussion
- Heterogeneous groupings in math and science
- Individual/group projects
- Large and small group instruction
- Altar Servers
- First Friday Rosary
- Grace before and after meals
- Lenten and Advent services
- Morning and afternoon prayer
- Reconciliation
- Retreats
- Stations of the Cross
- STREAM Programs