A Strong Foundation. A Thoughtful Progression. A Commitment to Excellence.
At St. Bernadette Catholic School, our academic program is intentionally designed to build strong foundational skills, deepen knowledge, and gradually develop the independence and critical thinking students need for high school and beyond.
Our curriculum combines evidence-based instruction with rich literature, explicit writing and grammar instruction, a strong mathematics sequence, science, history, Latin, logic, and Catholic faith formation. As students progress from the primary years through middle school, expectations grow with them.
We believe academic excellence is more than earning good grades. It means developing students who can read closely, write clearly, reason carefully, solve problems, communicate effectively, and pursue truth with confidence.
Our Literacy Approach
- All teacherstrained in the Science of Reading
- All K–3 teacherstrained in IMSE Orton-Gillingham
- Intervention Specialist & tutorstrained in both
Academic Highlights
- Science of Reading-aligned literacy instruction
- IMSE Orton-Gillingham training for all K–3 teachers, our Intervention Specialist, and tutors
- Rich literature, novels, poetry, and read-alouds
- IEW writing beginning in Grade 1 and explicit grammar instruction in the upper grades
- Math & YOU by Big Ideas Learning with fluency practice and advanced pathways
- Latin in Grades 4–8 and formal logic in Grade 8
- Advanced mathematics opportunities, including Algebra I for high school credit when readiness criteria are met
- Science, history, health, and religion taught through a coherent grade-level progression
Academics by Grade Band
Kindergarten–Grade 2Primary School
The primary years establish the foundation upon which future learning is built. Students receive explicit, systematic literacy instruction grounded in the Science of Reading, with all K–3 teachers trained in IMSE Orton-Gillingham.
Students develop phonemic awareness, phonics, decoding, spelling, handwriting, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension while also being immersed in high-quality literature, poetry, and read-alouds.
Beginning in first grade, students are introduced to structured writing through the Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW). Mathematics instruction uses Math & YOU by Big Ideas Learning, supplemented by Memoria Press Math Challenge Drills to strengthen fluency, accuracy, and confidence.
Grades 3–5Grammar School
In the intermediate years, students move from foundational skill development toward deeper application and increasing independence. As students become more fluent readers, instruction increasingly emphasizes reading to learn, analyze, discuss, and write.
English language arts centers on rich literature and novel studies through Memoria Press, supported by poetry, spelling, handwriting, grammar, and IEW writing. Mathematics continues through Math & YOU with regular fluency practice.
Beginning in fourth grade, students study Latin through Memoria Press’s Latina Christiana, strengthening vocabulary, grammar, memory, and understanding of language.
Grades 6–8Middle School
The St. Bernadette Middle School program is a purposeful bridge between elementary school and high school. Students encounter greater academic rigor while receiving the structure and support necessary to develop independence, organization, perseverance, and responsibility.
English language arts becomes increasingly literature- and discussion-driven. Students study significant works of literature, poetry, short stories, mythology, and nonfiction, while IEW writing and Fix It! Grammar continue to strengthen composition and language skills.
Students continue Latin through First Form Latin, and eighth-grade students are introduced to formal reasoning through Traditional Logic I. Mathematics includes Math & YOU and an Algebra I pathway for students who meet established readiness criteria. Science and social studies progress through SAVVAS programs, while Word of Life remains central to faith formation.
Curriculum at a Glance
Primary resources used in each grade band. Select a grade band to expand it.
Kindergarten–Grade 2
| Subject | Primary Resources |
|---|---|
| Math | Math & YOU – Big Ideas Learning; Memoria Press Math Challenge Drills |
| ELA | Memoria Press literature guides and novels, read-alouds, Poetry for the Primary Stage; Memoria Press spelling (Grades 1–2); handwriting through IMSE (K), Memoria Press (Grade 1), and Zaner-Bloser (Grade 2); IMSE Orton-Gillingham phonics; IEW Writing: Bible Heroes (Grade 1) and People & Places in Our Community (Grade 2) |
| Science | Studies Weekly; Mystery Science |
| Social Studies | Studies Weekly |
| Religion | Word of Life – Augustine Institute / Ignatius Press |
| Health | Studies Weekly |
Grades 3–5
| Subject | Primary Resources |
|---|---|
| Math | Math & YOU – Big Ideas Learning; Memoria Press Math Challenge Drills |
| ELA | Memoria Press literature guides and novels, read-alouds, Poetry for the Grammar Stage, spelling; Zaner-Bloser handwriting; IMSE Orton-Gillingham phonics in Grade 3; IEW Writing: Adventures in Writing (Grade 3), Discoveries in Writing (Grade 4), Fables, Myths, and Fairy Tales (Grade 5); IEW Fix It! Grammar: The Nose Tree (Grade 4) and Town Mouse (Grade 5) |
| Science | Studies Weekly; Mystery Science |
| Social Studies | Studies Weekly |
| Religion | Word of Life – Augustine Institute / Ignatius Press |
| Latin | Latina Christiana – Memoria Press (Grades 4–5) |
| Health | Studies Weekly |
Grades 6–8
| Subject | Primary Resources |
|---|---|
| Math | Math & YOU – Big Ideas Learning; Algebra I: Concepts & Connections – Big Ideas Learning |
| ELA / Literature | Teach Like a Champion literature selections including Heroes, Gods and Monsters; I Am Malala: Young Reader’s Edition; Animal Farm; Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass; Freak the Mighty; Lord of the Flies; Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry; The Outsiders; To Kill a Mockingbird; and The Poetry Collection. Memoria Press Poetry & Short Stories for the Logic Stage (Grade 7) and Traditional Logic I (Grade 8). |
| Writing & Grammar | IEW Writing: Wonders of Science (Grade 6), Ancient History (Grade 7), U.S. History (Grade 8); IEW Fix It! Grammar: Robin Hood (Grade 6), Mowgli and Shere Khan (Grade 7), The Frog Prince (Grade 8) |
| Science | Interactive Science – SAVVAS |
| Social Studies | myWorld Interactive Early Ages / World History – SAVVAS (Grades 6–7); myWorld Interactive: American History – SAVVAS (Grade 8) |
| Religion | Word of Life – Augustine Institute / Ignatius Press |
| Latin | First Form Latin – Memoria Press |
| Health | Health Skills for Middle School – Goodheart-Willcox |