Curriculum Overview

Each grade uses a basal reader and supplemental books and novels. The students are engaged in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The writing process develops from simple spelling and journal writing to poetry, report and creative writing. The Accelerated Reader Program enhances our reading curriculum and encourages our students to read for pleasure.

Superkids is a comprehensive English language arts curriculum crafted for grades K–2 using evidence-based literacy practices. This proven-effective program follows a unique systematic and explicit instructional path through engaging, increasingly complex text.

HMH Into Reading is used in grades 3 and up. This curriculum was built from the ground up using the latest in literacy research to ensure every student learns to read and write with confidence.

The focus of the curriculum is mathematical thinking. The concepts are developed through the use of concrete manipulatives and "mental math." Students in grades preschool-seventh use IXL, which is an adaptive practice programs that provides personalized learning at the student's appropriate level.

With HMH Into Math, students build productive perseverance in problem solving and apply knowledge to higher-level mathematics and beyond. Into Math is focused on meeting the needs of the whole child, inspiring students to see themselves as doers of mathematics and instilling a positive attitude toward math.

Our science program is an integrated curriculum, including life, earth, physical, and environmental science with a hands-on focus. HMH Into Science^® supports student-centered learning during teachers' dedicated science instruction. Hands-on activities include embedded social and emotional learning. Open-ended simulations allow students to use technology, like a real scientist in the field. Lesson-aligned, “factual fiction” readers support phenomenon-based activities and ask students to make claims, gather evidence, and apply reasoning.

The social studies program provides students with knowledge and skills to enable them to live in today’s society with an understanding that history is an ongoing process. From thematic units to textbooks, all students benefit from our comprehensive program.

The art program at Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic School is a studio-based program with an emphasis on the process of art. The formal concepts of art are taught through hands-on exploration. Students in grades preschool-seventh work with various mediums in an environment that provides students with the opportunity to explore many of the creative processes of visual art. 

Students in grades Kindergarten through 7th have weekly classes in the computer lab. Pre-K students have weekly computer lessons in their classrooms. Early grades work with reading, math, logic, and multimedia software. Lower grades learn keyboarding skills, work with word processing and presentation software, and use subject area software. Middle school students continue to develop keyboarding skills and learn word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation skills. They also learn skills necessary to create multimedia projects.

The physical education program encompasses a variety of team sports, games, and activities. Classes have access to our spacious campus, including a field and a playground. The curriculum includes health education, the basic rules of team sports, and skill development through various games and activities using a variety of sports equipment. Beginning in fifth grade, students are eligible to participate in after-school team sports—including flag football, volleyball, basketball, and track in competition with the CSAL and NIAL leagues. Students in PK3 through seventh grades attend P.E. weekly.  

Students love music classes at Mary, Queen of Peace, and for good reason!  Students in grades PK and K explore musical concepts such as rhythm and pitch through many singing and movement activities.  Materials such as Lummi sticks and Orff instruments provide endless opportunities to learn these concepts and develop listening, singing and rhythmic skills. To enhance the learning experience, boom whackers and desk bells are used.  As a result, the students learn notation, tempo, and dynamics with much enthusiasm.  The enjoyment of making music is one of the most important goals achieved through years of music classes at our school.

Our daily religion program focuses on our Catholic heritage and provides prayer experiences in class and through weekly liturgical celebrations. Instilling Catholic values is the primary mission of our program. This mission is accomplished through instruction in Scripture, doctrine, morality, sacraments, and family life. NCEA Catholic Identity Standards are implemented in everyday lessons and life skills.

Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic School provides opportunities to learn about Jesus and His teachings, and to practice faith sharing through service and community outreach.

• Prayer Buddies
• Bible Card Exchange
• Youth Group
• Theology of the Body
• Christian Service Opportunities
• Mission Awareness
• Celebrate Jesus Day
• Resurrection Day
• Vocation projects
• Field trip to the National Shrine of Blessed Father Seelos
• Grade level retreats

The school library has more than 10,000 volumes and is fully automated with access available in every classroom. Students visit the library on a weekly basis. Students learn how to handle books, use the electronic card catalog, explore the genres of literature, and conduct research.  Library lunch is offered to students in grades fifth-seventh conduct research.  

STREAM is hands-on exploration of Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Art, and Math, through exciting group challenges. Students will utilize their communication, problem-solving, and reasoning skills as they work together in small groups each week to complete the given task. At the end of each activity, students will reflect on problems they encountered and the strategies they used for solving them. Students in grades K-7 attend STREAM classes.