Lower School Curriculum
The Lower School consists of Kindergarten through Grade 4. The school day lasts until 2:00 p.m. for Kindergarten and 3:30 p.m. for Grades 1-4. The curriculum insures continuity and allows a smooth transition from one grade to the next. Each student is encouraged to develop independence and a sense of responsibility. The acquisition of these abilities helps foster a positive self-image and an approach to learning as an adventure. The academic program concentrates on the development of basic skills and good work habits. The students learn and refine the skills that they will rely upon for the rest of their lives.
Language arts (reading, phonics, spelling, grammar, and writing), science, mathematics (an approach that introduces abstract concepts through the use of math manipulatives), and Central Theme (social studies and geography) are the core of the academic program. In addition to the core curriculum, classes in computer (touch typing beginning in fourth grade), music, studio art, Spanish, life skills, physical education, athletics (participation in an after-school sports league beginning in fourth grade that includes basketball, volleyball, and track), and religious education are all part of the St. James education.
Classroom activities, assemblies, field trips and 4th Grade athletics represent concrete opportunities for the Lower School students to grow both individually and as members of a group. The St. James reading program utilizes Open Court (a strong phonics and literature based approach) throughout second grade, and a combination of basal and whole language approaches in third through eighth grade. By combining solid literature which relates to the Central Theme, along with the skill-building techniques found in the basal readers, skills are taught and reinforced; in this way, students learn transference by practicing with content for which they are being held responsible. Writing is as important as reading and, as such, is given a significant role in both the curriculum and schedule.
Lower School Curriculum
The Lower School consists of Kindergarten through Grade 4. The school day lasts until 2:00 p.m. for Kindergarten and 3:30 p.m. for Grades 1-4. The curriculum insures continuity and allows a smooth transition from one grade to the next. Each student is encouraged to develop independence and a sense of responsibility. The acquisition of these abilities helps foster a positive self-image and an approach to learning as an adventure. The academic program concentrates on the development of basic skills and good work habits. The students learn and refine the skills that they will rely upon for the rest of their lives.
Language arts (reading, phonics, spelling, grammar, and writing), science, mathematics (an approach that introduces abstract concepts through the use of math manipulatives), and Central Theme (social studies and geography) are the core of the academic program. In addition to the core curriculum, classes in computer (touch typing beginning in fourth grade), music, studio art, Spanish, life skills, physical education, athletics (participation in an after-school sports league beginning in fourth grade that includes basketball, volleyball, and track), and religious education are all part of the St. James education.
Classroom activities, assemblies, field trips and 4th Grade athletics represent concrete opportunities for the Lower School students to grow both individually and as members of a group. The St. James reading program utilizes Open Court (a strong phonics and literature based approach) throughout second grade, and a combination of basal and whole language approaches in third through eighth grade. By combining solid literature which relates to the Central Theme, along with the skill-building techniques found in the basal readers, skills are taught and reinforced; in this way, students learn transference by practicing with content for which they are being held responsible. Writing is as important as reading and, as such, is given a significant role in both the curriculum and schedule.