Grade School Curriculum
School Curriculum, Homework Plan, Grading System
Curriculum
All efforts are made to comply with the State of California Department of Education curriculum requirements. Our curriculum is also integrated with the Course of Studies for Lutheran Schools.
The kindergarten offers a complete readiness program in all the basic academic areas taught in the first grade. Our kindergarten offers a well-balanced program of academics, interactive activities, play, and rest time. Our program teaches reading, writing, and arithmetic, employing the finest materials and techniques available. In kindergarten the child is also helped in the adjustment of his personality and social life to the school situation.
The primary and elementary grades offer an intensive study in all basic subject matter areas with a strong emphasis on developing the children’s reading skills and vocabulary.
The junior high school grades are departmentalized and aim at extending previously acquired skills and knowledge promoting higher order thinking activities.
In order to fulfill the expressed aims of the school, it is essential that all the children enrolled be taught the tenets of Christian doctrine. No child shall be excused from religious instructions. Parents who are of faiths other than Lutheran should consider this point before enrolling their children.
Homework
Homework is essential in the educational process of our students. It will be given at all grade levels. It is a way of reinforcing the learning that the student is doing in class, and is a method of helping them learn self-discipline and proper study habits. The amount of time it takes for an individual child to do homework depends on that child's ability, study habits, and attitude, but the following can be used as a guideline:
- Kindergarten: 5-10 minutes
- 1st grade: 15 minutes
- 2nd grade: 20-30 minutes
- 3rd grade: 30-60 minutes
- 4th grade: 40-60 minutes
- 5th grade: 50-60 minutes
- 6th grade: 1-1 ½ hours
- 7th & 8th grades: 1- 1 ½ hours
St. Paul’s School uses a homework policy for grades 1-8. The policy for grades 3-8 is attached to the final page of this handbook. The policy for grades 1-2 is similar but less demanding.
Grading System
St. Paul's School uses the following grading system for grades 3-8:
- A--95-100%
- B--85-94%
- C--75-84%
- D--65-74%
- F--64% and below
St. Paul's honors students in grades 5-8 that achieve exceptional grades by publishing an Honor Roll. Students with a Grade Point Average of 4.0 are given High Honors. Students with a G.P.A. of 3.5 to 3.9 are given Honors. Students with a G.P.A. of 3.0 to 3.49 are included on our Honorable Mention list.
