“Catholic Schools nurture personal growth, scholarship, life-long learning, service and responsible stewardship through a faith-centered way of life.
(Mission Statement on Curriculum – Catholic Diocese of Richmond)
The articulation of a faith-centered environment with a quality educational program for the Diocese of Richmond requires that all educators involved in schools work collaboratively to design and implement an ever-developing and creative curriculum. According to Catholic tradition, curriculum should encompass the principle of respect, challenge learners to achieve their full potential and contribute to the moral development of all students.
The Consensus Curriculum has been designed in such a manner that it will stimulate a logical progression through the intellectual stages of critical analysis, deductive/inductive reasoning, clarity of thought/expression and utilize effective strategies for problem solving.
The teacher, as a leader, creates a learning environment which provides all learners with the opportunity to learn and succeed. Having a thorough knowledge of the current research on learning, the teacher will set high expectations, address the varied learning styles of students and provide the necessary resource to achieve success.
The principal’s role in the development of the curriculum is of paramount importance; as the chief educator in the school, the principal establishes and maintains a positive mindset with regard to the curriculum. Students learn in differing manners and thus, current knowledge of the learning process is the basis for instructional diversity and specialization in the curriculum. The principal acts as a resource for the faculty by assisting in the design of the curriculum and leads all to a consensus of the needs of individual learners. The development of a curriculum that takes into consideration the individual needs of children and the need for creative instructional techniques to meet those needs will help instill in children a love for learning.
The curriculum exists for the total development of each student in our school. The students, as learners, will assist in the continuing growth of the curriculum, not only as recipients of learning, but as creators of new opportunities. A well-developed curriculum encourages, within every student, an inventive spirit, flexibility to adapt to change, desire to set and attain goals, and a belief in themselves.
Subjects outlined in the Consensus Curriculum include:
• Religion Handwriting Science
• Math English Foreign Language
• Language Arts Spelling Physical Education
• Reading Social Studies Music
• Art Technology
The Consensus curriculum is available for review in the administration office. Details are also available on the Richmond Diocesan School System’s website curriculum page.
