Academic Enrichment

To meet the varied academic needs of students, Blessed Sacrament School’s teachers use many strategies to challenge the children to excel, being mindful of class dynamics, grade level, and curriculum objectives. Programs designed to enhance the learning experience of every child are evident throughout our classrooms.

Our Early Childhood Center (ECC) is a center-based preschool, offering activities that challenge students according to their developmental readiness and their unique abilities.

In Kindergarten through Grade 5, instructional assistants permit leveled instruction and small groups in math and reading. In reading, this is further supported by use of the Fountas and Pinnell system, begun in 2016. Word Study strategies allow students to learn at their own level. Learning stations for math and science also allow for individual challenge and a commitment to equity.

In middle school, students are challenged individually by experiences such as Science Fair, research papers, and a series of independent projects in U.S. history. In class, teachers strive to ensure that every student will be called on to share in an equitable way.

Across the school, the use of Lit Circles in reading allows students to read at their level and share literature in a group. Throughout the program, field trips, projects, hands-on learning, and supported group work allow students to experience literature at their own level and style.

Our traditional curriculum continues to be enriched based on the needs and interesst of our students through numerous specialized programs:

  • Quarterly STEM Weeks allow our Kindergarten through Grade 8 students the opportunity to explore the varied integrated uses of science, technology, engineering (design), and mathematics through cross-curricular projects.  Recently students explored “Working with Robots!” learning how to drive Sphero robots, create Lego communities and race Flintstones mobiles. Our STEM ambassadors (9-12 middle school students) aid in the selection and planning of these activities to reinforce math and science curriculum while highlighting current themes such as recycling/reuse of materials.
  • “Culture Day,” is spearheaded by our 8th Graders who research, plan, and lead “country stations” with engaging cultural activities to help Kindergarten through Grade 7 students learn about numerous world cultures during a day-long celebration.
  • “Battle of the Books” challenges students in Grades 5 and 6 to compete against other diocesan schools in comprehension of selected books.
  • “Math Games” afterschool program for Kindergarten through Grade 5 uses manipulatives and games to reinforce fundamental math concepts, development of problem solving strategies, and reasoning skills while playing games like Math Dice Chase, Kaboom, Bump and Math Towers of Power.
  • American Studies Book Club for our 7th and 8th Graders enhances their study of American history by discussing classics such as Johnny Tremain, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, To Kill a Mockingbird and The Pearl
  • “Odyssey of the Mind” is a global Kindergarten-to-college program focused on creative problem-solving.  Parents lead Odyssey at Blessed Sacrament as an after-school activity, and teams have reached the city, regional, and state finals.
  • Middle School “House System” integrates one-third of each class by meeting daily and developing incentives and activities to foster academic achievement, positive school culture, service, and leadership.

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