RELIGION

Theology, as queen of the sciences, comes first, so that our students will always know the two most important things: who they are and for what they have been made. Our instruction emphasizes knowledge of the Bible, the tenets of the faith, the sacraments, living a life of prayer, the lives of the saints, the liturgical calendar, and the practice of virtues. All students beginning in kindergarten participate in our school-wide virtue education program which imbues all classes with a practical and thoughtful focus on virtuous living. The sacramental life of the school includes weekly all-school Mass (as well as daily Mass offered before school), weekly Eucharistic Adoration, weekly praying of the Most Holy Rosary (or the Way of the Cross, during Lent) as a school community, and frequent reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The school also celebrates significant feast days as a community and observes holy days of obligation by giving students and staff the day off to attend Mass with their families.

LITERATURE & LANGUAGE ARTS

Literature & Language arts encompasses many subject areas, including, but not limited to, reading, writing composition and mechanics, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, public speaking, and poetry.  Achieving a strong culture of reading and writing are main goals for our school.  Younger students are taught to read by learning the phonetic sounds that make up the English language.  Understanding grammar enables students to put together their thoughts so they express themselves clearly and succinctly through both the written and spoken word.  Our children are enriched by reading beautiful literature, aiding in the formation of their person. Poetry demonstrates the beauty of putting those words and thoughts together gracefully.  It allows children to boost their memory skills through recitation.  

HISTORY

A classical curriculum is embedded in history. History, as the study of human activities, desires, and thoughts, roots all other subjects. Students study the story of man from Creation to the present day. The history curriculum studies US history, ancient history, and world history. History comes alive with skits and plays, presentations, geography and map skills, and making timelines. Students learn that history is neither a story of constant progress, nor a random series of events. Rather, all world events and individual lives are part of God’s loving providence. Enriching the history texts are many stories, historical novels, primary source documents, and the art and music of the time period. The study of history includes the study of human questing which we model in our classroom as students learn to ask questions as well as learn facts.

Beginning in kindergarten, students learn to love immersing themselves in the past. As they advance through the curriculum, they learn to master historical dates, places, facts, and figures. Most importantly, they also learn how to place this data into a larger context, learning about the culture of the times they study. Our studies are always accompanied by questions and assignments designed to elicit and develop their historical imagination. Each year, students demonstrate their pleasure in their learning at the school-wide History Fair.

LATIN

Latin is the language of the Church, the root language of English, and the language used by minds educated in the classics throughout the history of Western Civilization. It serves to train the mind in a clear and logical manner. All students at Regina Pacis Academy receive Latin instruction, with Grades K-2 receiving Latin coursework one day a week, and Grades 3-4 meeting three times per week. Children are introduced to Latin through vocabulary games and prayers. Latin for Grades 5-8 meets four days a week and is more systematic and wide-ranging. The goal is for students to master Latin grammar and achieve reading comprehension by the end of 8th grade. Sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students participate in the National Latin Exam. While the focus is on classical Latin and culture, we include lessons in ecclesiastical Latin that relate to their Catholic faith so they learn to appreciate the role of Latin in the history and, especially, liturgy of the Catholic church; for instance, they learn the Sign of the Cross, Gloria Patri, table blessing, Pater Noster, Ave Maria, Angelus, Regina Coeli, and liturgically seasonal Latin songs and hymns.

MATHEMATICS 

Mathematics is taught to order the mind and promote accuracy, insight and self discipline. Math prepares the students to tackle higher-ordered thinking in subjects such as Philosophy. Through an effective structure called incremental development, topics are introduced to students in spaced steps. The time between steps allows students to gain confidence at one level of difficulty before moving to the next.

Throughout the year, in every lesson, previously learned information is continually reviewed and practiced. Topics are not dropped but grow in complexity, so that learning is systematic and sequential. Teachers grade students’ homework every night and require students to correct their mistakes before starting the next homework assignment. Systematic homework corrections and frequent assessments help teachers to target the needs of each student and help students to learn the material more effectively. We assess all students before the beginning of each year to place them in an appropriately leveled mathematics class. We have the ability to place advanced students in higher level math classes. A full math curriculum through Algebra 1 or Geometry, depending on the student’s math level, is offered.

SCIENCE

Exploring, observing and understanding the natural world aids in our knowledge of God's creation. Children explore the wonders of our world created by God through observation and experience with the natural world, the five senses, the seasons, plants, and animals.

Each grade level learns science content with hands-on experiences and content instruction. In the early grades, many related fictional and non-fictional books supplement the science themes in the science series we use.

ART

Art is a major language of childhood and a compelling expression of who a child is and how they view the world they live in. Through the study of art, the children learn an appreciation for the visual arts, to understand art as a visual record and expression of mankind, the six fundamentals of art (line, shape, color, texture, space and value) and to create works that are uplifting, edifying and pleasing to God. Art projects take many forms depending on the grade level. Children learn basic art concepts and use of materials, looking at the works of the masters and experimenting with different techniques.

MUSIC 

The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul. -- Johann Sebastian Bach

Music has the power to train the heart to what is good, true, and beautiful. Through beautiful music, we experience God, who brings harmony to our world. At RPA, sacred music is given prominence of place. Students study the elements of music through both the musical patrimony of the Church and other classical compositions. In hearing and singing spiritually enriching music, students gain a deeper understanding of our rich cultural heritage.

DRAMA

Our Drama program teaches students to see their acting abilities as a gift from God, which they can use to enrich the lives of others. In order to give the best gift possible, the students put a great amount of work into every production. All students audition and receive roles, memorize lines, and learn to bring their characters to life. They are instructed in the basics of projection and enunciation, and are taught how to move and behave onstage. Students learn to present themselves with confidence, and many also learn a sense of humor about themselves, as theater requires even the meekest students to sometimes take center stage. There are multiple dramatic performances each year.  Students in every grade have a performance.  Additionally, students practice their dramatic skills at events such as Veterans’ Day, Poetry Tea, Advent Lessons and Carols, and much more.  Students in younger grades (K-2) also incorporate drama into their language arts and history content areas as a more organic approach to drama.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION 

All students have physical education class, where they learn the basics of body control, endurance, strength and balance.  Sportsmanship, cooperation, self-control, and kindness are virtues that team play allows students to practice.