Curriculum
Early Childhood Programs
The Nursery, Pre-K and Kindergarten programs at The Epiphany School focus on the child as a "whole." At these early learning levels, all aspects of a child's development - physical, cognitive, linguistic, social and emotional - must be addressed.
At this age, students are active learners who gain knowledge by interacting with concrete objects. Through their actions they generate hypotheses, predict outcomes, and draw conclusions about the world.
Their teachers realize that socialization is a very important part of the early childhood curriculum and that preschoolers need to obtain greater awareness of themselves as individuals and as members of society.
The ultimate goal of the The Epiphany School Early Childhood Curriculum is to meet the developmental needs of all the children and prepare them for future growth as confident, self-directed, inquiring individuals.
Elementary School
The Religious Studies Program is the cornerstone of the school's curriculum. It focuses on exploring and deepening the student's relationship with Christ, His Church, and His message. They are taught doctrine, experience liturgy and the sacraments, discuss morality, and deepen their prayer life. This teaching promotes active learning that translates into active faith.
The school's Academic Program stresses instruction in basic skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Written and oral expression are taught across the curriculum - not only in Language Arts but also in Religion, Math, Social Studies, and Science.
Homework is assigned in Grades 1-8. Students are responsible for their own assignments. Each teacher explains homework expectations during the parent/teacher orientation in September.
Standardized tests are used in conjunction with teacher-made tests, portfolios, and projects to assess student learning and progress. Students in Grades 1-8 complete the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) each fall. In the spring, students in Grades 4, 6, and 8 also participate in the New York State Testing Program. The results of all standardized tests are shared with parents and evaluated to guide individual student instruction and overall curriculum decisions.
Report cards are distributed as follows:
Grades PreKindergarten-8 - Quarterly: 4 times a year
1st - 3rd Grade Students
Classes in the lower grades are self-contained. Teachers strive to develop a nurturing, productive environment in each classroom, respectful of each child's needs and learning styles.
The Language Arts Program incorporates a basic reading program, good literature, and direct skill instruction with opportunities for growth in oral and written expression. Reading instruction is designed to produce life-long readers. Students are required to discuss the literature at hand, which in turn enables skill building in speaking, writing and critical thinking. They learn to appreciate themselves and their classmates as they experience similarities and observe differences.
The Mathematics Program in the lower grades emphasizes instruction in computation as well as mathematical concepts. Students learn to communicate and reason logically, and they become independent problem solvers. The use of manipulatives across the program allows students to work with concrete problems, encouraging them to apply math skills in other curriculum areas and to recognize the value and use of these skills in their daily lives.
Learning to respect and appreciate one's self, one's family and one's community is the driving force behind the Social Studies Program. Students explore the world in which they live geographically and historically. They make comparisons, explore causes and effects, study historical figures, and begin to realize the importance of involvement in their community.
The Science Program offers another venue for exploring the world. A hands-on constructivist approach engages students and allows for independent discovery and learning. Environmental awareness is also an integral part of the program. Student work is displayed at the annual Science Fair and each class takes a field trip to enhance study in this area.
4th - 8th Grade Students
When third graders "graduate" to The Epiphany School's St. Stephen Campus, they enter a new world filled with new challenges and change.
Comprised primarily of students in Grades 4-8, the campus is organized to not only bridge the gap from the self-contained classrooms of the lower school but, more importantly, to nurture the students on their journey from childhood to adolescence.
The St. Stephen Campus offers students more teachers, more choices, and more responsibility. Its curricula are designed to match the spiritual, cognitive, emotional, and physical changes of the emerging adolescent.
In our Religion curriculum, we incorporate the basic doctrines of Catholicism, and in all that the students study. School and class masses, along with prayer services and church related activities, are a regular component of the total Epiphany School experience. The text for this curriculum is Walking by Faith.
Concentrations by grade include the following subject areas:
- Grade 4 - The Commandments
- Grade 5 - The Sacraments
- Grade 6 - Exploring and deepening the students' relationship with the Christian message
- Grade 7 - New Testament, Creed & Confirmation
- Grade 8 - Church History & Morality.
Guided by the belief that a child learns more about himself or herself in the world through experience, the Language Arts Program is integrated with other disciplines.
Literature is studied not solely for appreciation of an author's intent or style but also as a window into the culture, values, and advances of specific periods in history. Students respond to the readings with written analyses and are guided through a process in which tangible writing, proofreading and editing skills are emphasized.
Grammar and Vocabulary are studied as separate subjects for students in Grades 4-8. The Literature course for students in Grades 6-8 involves the study of the major literary forms, including plays, short stories and poetry. Students are also introduced to the works of great writers.
The Mathematics Program seeks to provide students with proficiency in the basic tools for learning and using mathematics: calculation, reading, and analysis in particular. Computational skills, concepts, and applications are also introduced, reinforced, and extended through the use of a cyclical design. Problem-solving strategies and applications are formulated and expanded. Students are encouraged to work in groups, devise strategies, test methodologies, evaluate results and revise plans of action.
Students in Grades 6-8 are enrolled in both regular and advanced math, which allows for smaller class sizes with a 12-1 student to teacher ratio.
Students entering eighth grade may be recommended for an accelerated math sequence - Math 9 - a rigorous highschool level Algebra-based course.
Five objectives form the basis of what we want our students to achieve in the Social Studies Program:
- Understanding of why events occur, not just the who, what, where and how.
- Appreciation of themselves as a reflection of their culture, place, and time.
- Knowledge of historical periods and their meaning based on inquiry and analysis.
- Value of research and evaluation to proving the reliability of facts and other information.
- Respect for their fellow humans, appreciating diversity and acknowledging that we are all God's creations.
- Grade 4 - New York
- Grade 5 - Our Country and Neighbors - USA, Canada and
Latin America - Grade 6 - World Cultures
- Grade 7 - American History to 1877
- Grade 8 - American History - Modern Era from 1865
The Science Program integrates the three branches of science - life science, physical science, and earth science. Pre-adolescents learn best when actively involved, so an emphasis is put on investigations and demonstrations that help students to sharpen their observation, processing, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. Since science is constantly evolving, students are encouraged to reach beyond their textbooks and use the Internet to stay as current as possible. For context, they are given concrete guidance in understanding their research and the reliability of outside resources.
Concentrations by grade include the following subject areas:
- Grade 4 - Life, Earth and Physical Science
- Grade 5 - Life Science, Earth Science and Physical Science
- Grade 6 - Ecology, Energy and Oceanography
- Grade 7 - Life Science
- Grade 8 - Earth Science
Students in Grades 1-8 also take Art, Music, Modern Language, and Physical Education classes each week.
The Art Program allows students to express themselves aesthetically while exploring different mediums. They are instructed in basic skills and given an appreciation for style and composition. They spend most of their time working on independent projects and solutions even though they work with the same materials and instructions as other students. They also create their own Power Point slide presentations. Their work decorates both Epiphany campuses and is on view to the public during the annual Art Show.
The Music Program gives students the opportunity to read music and perform before their classmates as well as larger audiences. The curriculum includes composition and music theory. Students study both traditional and contemporary music and are encouraged to use their musical talents during liturgical services, concerts and events.
The Modern Language Program is designed to aid our students in effectively acquiring a foreign language - with Spanish as the priority. They learn communication skills through simple material in visual contexts. Topic-based lessons dealing with functional situations are designed to develop proficiency in listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Hispanic culture and geography are incorporated where appropriate. Upon completion of the program, students should have gained a solid foundation with which to continue their language studies.
Concentrations by grade include the following subject areas:
- Grade 4 - Introductory overview of Spanish vocabulary and grammar.
- Grade 5 - Spanish is Fun (Book A).
- Grade 6-8 - Spanish is Fun (Book 1), Cuaderno de Ejercicios (Libro 1), Realidad y Fantasía (short stories), and miscellaneous Spanish stories.
The Physical Education Program raises a students' awareness of their personal fitness. They are encouraged to take good care of their bodies and use them properly. Cooperation and respect are an integral part of the program and good sportsmanship is expected at all times. As part of Physical Education, the school has an active program of intramural and competitive sports teams in basketball, track, rugby and soccer.
