ACADEMICS

Saint Mary School provides a high-quality learning experience that inspires a love of learning and prepares students to thrive at school and in life.

We actively encourage creative thinking, problem solving, research skills, and data analysis through authentic instruction, applied learning, and hands-on experiences. Our teachers build on the progress students make each year, adding depth and nuance. We thread technology awareness throughout the school day and beyond to ensure that students are comfortable and confident (and safe!) with technology. 

Our teachers and staff base the school’s academic curriculum on our foundation of faith. We are a Catholic school, and so our environment is centered around the love of God and of others.

We encourage Christian values and model respect for self, for others, and for community and environment. We ask students to evaluate themselves and set challenging goals to expand their talents and academic potential. Our students are encouraged to accept responsibility for choices and actions and practice good citizenship and service to others.

Academics
Pre-K
Primary Grades
3K Program
Intermediate Grades
4K Program (P4J)
Middle School
Extended Learning
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Pre-K

Saint Mary School offers 3K and 4K (P4J) programs for our youngest learners.

3K Program

3K Program

Saint Mary School offers two 3K options for your student as they join our school community – three-day (MWF) or five-day programs.

Our programs provide a space for students to come together to work on social/emotional skills as well as preparing for early literacy. They provide a healthy, welcoming start to your student’s school life through targeted activities and partnering with older grade levels. We also infuse elements of the Montessori method, which is an approach that values the human spirit and the development of the whole person — physical, social, emotional, spiritual, and cognitive.

4K Program (P4J)

Our 4K program (P4J) builds on experiences from 3K that continue each student’s development in learning, socialization, and listening skills.

Participation in a preschool program is a powerful predictor of children’s positive pre-reading and pre-writing development for Kindergarten and beyond.

Participating families do not pay tuition to participate in the PK-4 program because Saint Mary School partners with the School District of Janesville for this collaborative program. Students attend every morning. (For families interested in full-day Early Childhood learning, this program can be paired with our Extended Learning program.)

4K Program
Academics

Extended Learning

11:30 AM to 3:00 PM

Extended Learning is available for both 3K and 4K students and is offered from 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM. 

This program provides more than basic wrap-around care and continues to build skills in a more academic environment.

Primary Grades

The Primary Unit (K-3) is bustling with the joy of teaching and learning, while also embracing the successes of each student.

We are committed to molding life-long learners through high expectations, rigor, collaboration, differentiated instruction, and mastery of our curriculum standards. We create a respectful learning environment, inspire academic and personal growth, and  meet the individual needs of each student while providing a challenging and collaborative environment. We foster kindness, compassion, and service to others. 

Learning highlights in the primary grades include:

Academics
  • Reading / Writing / Language
    • K: Upper and lowercase letters, how words on a page translate to reading, rhyming, letters/syllables and their sounds, sight-reading of common words, appreciation of books and an understanding of their components, meaning of a text, introduction to standard English grammar and conventions, printing of letters and words, capitalization, spelling, punctuation, word families, opposites, use of words/phrases/sentences, listening and conversing, asking and answering questions
    • Grade 1: understanding a text, stories vs. informational books, topic identification, phonics and word analysis, reading for comprehension, grammar and spelling, writing of opinions/informative texts/narratives, information recall, collaborative conversations, identification of spoken and read details
    • Grade 2: Recounting of stories, story structure, characters, topic identification, sequence of events, written presentation of opinions, information-sharing, story-telling in complete sentences
    • Grade 3: Point of view, impacts of character action, research and information-gathering, note-taking, making a report, idea expression
  • Math
    • K: Identification of numbers 0-100, writing of numbers 0-20, quantity, counting and sequence, geometric shapes, position and dimension, size and shape, measurement, beginning addition and subtraction
    • Grade 1: Reading/writing/representation of numbers 0-120, place values, multiples, addition and subtraction within 20, word problems, length, telling and writing the time, data organization and use, shape attributes
    • Grade 2: Mastery of addition and subtraction, word problems, place values, counting within 1000, skip-counting, mental strategies for addition and subtraction, equations, use of measurement tools and units, estimation, dollars and cents, picture and bar graphs, parts of shapes
    • Grade 3: Multiplication and division within 100, fractions, two-step word problems, minutes, liquid volume and mass, graph interpretation, accurate measurement, perimeter, shape attributes
  • Science
    • K: Push and pull, the sun and its heat, earth surfaces, the needs of animals and plants, weather, problem-solving steps
    • Grade 1: Vibration, light, reflection, shadow, external parts of animals and plants, growth of animals and plants, animal behaviors, the sun/moon/stars, daylight, how to investigate a problem
    • Grade 2: Solids/liquids/gasses, material attributes and uses, data and investigation, object creation, dimensions, heating and cooling, plant growth, land and water animals and plants, changes in the earth, erosion, bodies of water, evidence-based work, models
    • Grade 3: Force, motion, magnets, life cycles, animal groups, patterns of physical traits, environmental impacts, fossils, habitats, weather conditions and climate
  • Social Studies
    • K: Basics of production/consumption/distribution, money, basic concepts of history, events and holidays, Pledge of Allegiance, the concept of law and government, map skills, awareness of different cultures
    • Grades 1, 2: Economic reasoning, geographic tools and analysis, historical patterns, principles of democracy
    • Grade 3: More advanced economic reasoning, geographic tools and analysis, historical patterns, community and government decision-making, human movement and population patterns, use of historical evidence, political and civic institutions
  • Spanish
    • K: Spanish ABCs, numbers 1-5, Spanish/Hispanic celebrations and customs
    • Grade 1: Phonetic rules, pronunciation, numbers 1-15, number relationships, words for colors and feelings
    • Grade 2: Pronunciation improvements, numbers 1-20, number relationships, formal vs. informal address, pronouns, greetings and farewells, words for colors and shapes
    • Grade 3: Numbers 1-30, words for days/months/seasons, clothing, and the school environment, integration of learned words/phrases in conversation, use of Duolingo for daily practice, pronouns, classes in Spanish
  • Arts and Music
    • K: Creation of art pieces, creativity, fine motor coordination, fun
    • Grade 1: Preparation for art creation, form and characteristics, subject matter, reasons for art creation, music performance, expressive qualities, relationship between music and other arts, cultural aspects of music
    • Grade 2: Experimentation with materials and tools, repurposing of objects, aesthetic characteristics, art as a reflection of events, improvisation, musical expression and technical accuracy, music concepts, the impact of music
    • Grade 3: Personalization of art, detail and meaning, exhibition of art, musical structure and elements
  • Religion
    • K: God’s love and gifts, symbols, special days and seasons, apologizing and forgiveness, doing good, respect and care for all of God’s creation, sharing, thankfulness, service to others, how to pray, family and friend relationships
    • Grade 1: Mary, the Holy Family, the Trinity, the Catholic Church, sacraments, Mass, love of God/others/self, right and wrong, the Our Father, the Bible
    • Grade 2: Foundation of the Church, the Resurrection, Jesus as Son of God and Savior, parts of the Mass, modeling Jesus, the Eucharist, sin and choice, Ten Commandments, Hail Mary, Act of Contrition, creeds, family realities, caring for others
    • Grade 3: The Trinity, the Paschal Mystery, saints, death, Baptism, the Old and New Testaments, sacraments, Works of Mercy, impacts of sin, grace, rituals, prayer, free will
  • Physical Education
    • K: Fun, large motor development, cooperative play
    • Grades 1, 2, 3: Motor skills, movement patterns, tactics and strategies
  • Other Topics
    • K: Focus, listening, sharing, peaceful problem-solving, collaboration, compassion, responsibility
    • Grade 1: Friendship and respect, helping others, feelings
    • Grade 2: Rules, decision-making, obedience, fairness, cooperation
    • Grade 3: Peacemaking, role models, siblings, charity and justice, conflict resolution, avoidance of prejudice and discrimination, loyalty, courage, self-control, stewardship
Academics

Intermediate Grades

The Intermediate Unit (grades 4-5) strives to foster a community of life-long learners and good people through academic rigor, leadership, and service.

During these pivotal years, our program for grades 4 and 5 continues mastery of the curriculum standards while increasing our focus on “real-world” problems and solutions and concepts that span multiple subjects. Active learning, exploration, and discussion come even more to the forefront of our classes as we help students prepare for the demands of middle school and high school.

Learning highlights in the intermediate grades include:

  • Reading / Writing / Language
    • Grade 4: Inference, summarizing and in-depth description, explanation of texts, gathering of information, note-taking, narrative-writing, paraphrasing, use of detail
    • Grade 5: Theme and character development in literature, use of figurative language, contextual awareness, point of view, structure, fiction and non-fiction story development, use of information and evidence, verbal summarizing/reporting, collaborative discussion, multiple-meaning vocabulary, grammar and usage
  • Math
    • Grade 4: Mastery of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of multi-digit whole numbers, factor pairs, patterns, addition and subtraction of fractions, units of measurement, area, protractor use, lines and angles
    • Grade 5: Multiplication and division of fractions/decimals/multi-digit whole numbers, algebraic expressions, calculations involving units of measurement, graphing, dimensional awareness and classification, “real-life” problem-solving
  • Science
    • Grade 4: Speed and energy, light, patterns, macroscopic internal and external structures of plants and animals, parts of a flower and their roles, information processing by animals, stimulus, rocks and soil, renewable and non-renewable resources, use of data and models
    • Grade 5: Matter and molecules, material properties, gravity and force, energy, seeds to ecosystems, distance, major systems of Earth, protection of resources and the environment, use of data/computational thinking/models, evidence-based arguments
  • Social Studies
    • Grade 4: The impact of background and environment, interactions, decision-making among individuals/groups/businesses, how an economy functions, relationships between humans and the environment, identity and place, patterns of continuity and change, use of different perspectives, cause and effect
    • Grade 5: Roles of human behavior and cultures, analysis of decision-making and interactions, world economies, geographic tools, global interconnections, cause-and-effect determination, pattern analysis, power and process, societal rights/privileges/responsibilities
  • Spanish
    • Grade 4: Numbers 30-200, words for days/months/seasons, clothing, and the school environment, integration of greetings/farewells in conversation, pronouns, use of Duolingo for daily practice, classes in Spanish
    • Grade 5: Time of day/greetings/farewells/pronouns in conversation, masculine/feminine/plural nouns, verbs, noun/verb agreement, words for food and home/family environments
  • Arts and Music
    • Grades 4, 5: Brainstorming, input and revision, art museums and galleries, art interpretation, cultural traditions/relationships/perspectives, musical ideas/notation/recording, musical performance, cross-relationships in arts/music/culture, innovation, craftsmanship, art genres and their context, interpersonal and interpretive communication
  • Religion
    • Grade 4: Christ’s suffering and death, the role of the Holy Spirit, the role of the Catholic Church, key Bible passages, the Holy Days of Obligation, holiness, types of sin, Gifts of the Holy Spirit, the Rosary, God’s love of creation, help from prayer
    • Grade 5: God’s being and meaning, the sacraments and liturgical calendar, prayer and scripture, saints, moral/truthful/virtuous decision-making and problem-solving
  • Physical Education
    • Grades 4, 5: Motor skills, movement patterns, tactics and strategies
  • Other Topics
    • Grade 4: Conscience, role models, modesty, judgment, ethics, collaborative work
    • Grade 5: Friendship and its variations, time management and decision-making skills for academic and social situations, interpersonal responsibility, respect for others at all stages of life

Middle School

The Middle School (grades 6-8) experience is intentionally planned to help students grow in knowledge and apply that knowledge in stimulating and active experiences.

Our curriculum is designed to encourage the right level of challenge for each student. A priority for each teacher is building a warm and caring classroom community where students feel safe and secure as they learn and mature.

Learning highlights in middle school include:

Academics
  • Reading / Writing / Language
    • Grade 6: Textual evidence, analysis, figurative and connotative meanings, word choice, plagiarism avoidance, event sequences, logic, eye contact, volume and pronunciation, nuance
    • Grade 7: Interaction of story elements, impact of rhyme and repetition, fiction vs. history, author perspective, use of reading signposts, effective presentation skills
    • Grade 8: Idea development, connections and distinctions, analogies and allusions, reasoning, conflicting sources, motives behind information presentation
  • Math
    • Grade 6: Ratio and rate reasoning, division of multi-digit numbers, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of multi-digit decimals, positive and negative numbers, absolute value, graphs, equations and variables, complex polygons, volume, statistics and numerical data
    • Grade 7: Percentages, rational numbers, linear expressions, probability, scale drawings, circumference, angles, multi-dimensional objects
    • Grade 8: Equation interpretation, square roots, cube roots, functions, irrational numbers, scientific notation, proportional relationships, linear equations, angle relationships, Pythagorean Theorem, scatter plots
  • Science
    • Grades 6, 7, 8: Atomic and molecular theory, Periodic Table, matter composition, types of bonds, chemical reactions and property changes, product life cycle and sustainability, particle characteristics, heat and thermal energy, pressure, Newton’s Laws of Motion and Gravitation, magnetic fields, potential and kinetic energy, insulating properties, waves, signals, cells, systems, adaptations, photosynthesis, respiration, neurons, symbiotic relationships, biomes, the importance of plants, ecosystems, genetics, fossils and geology, natural selection, skeletal systems, the solar system, the earth’s layers, evolution, climate
  • Social Studies
    • Grades 6, 7, 8: The impact of background and environment, decision-making in societies, how an economy functions, relationships between humans and the environment, identity and place, patterns of continuity and change, analysis of decision-making and interactions, world economies, geographic tools, global interconnections, pattern analysis, use of sources, democratic principles and ideals, connections between past and present, conclusions and their implications
  • Spanish
    • Grade 6: Conversation, masculine/feminine/plural nouns, verb use, sentence construction, ordering food
    • Grades 7, 8: Vocabulary and usage, masculine/feminine/plural nouns, verb agreement, words for weather, special verbs, formation of questions and responses, adjectives
  • Arts and Music
    • Grade 6: Dimensions, art’s influence on ideas, emotions, and actions, how art reflects change, evaluation of art and musical works
    • Grade 7: Contextual influences on art and musical works, relationship between music and people
    • Grade 8: Collaborative creation and group identity, themes
  • Religion
    • Grade 6: Salvation history, roles of Scripture and tradition, literary forms in the Bible, Sacraments, the Mass, principles of Catholic Social Teaching, being like Jesus, the Psalms, parables, chastity, knowing God’s will through prayer, reverence
    • Grade 7: Old Testament covenants and prophecies, key Gospel passages, dogma and doctrine, Christian moral responses, justice and peace, messages in contemporary culture, prayers of petition, body-mind-spirit, chastity, spiritual maturity
    • Grade 8: New Testament in a historical context, other Christian traditions, faith and science, path to holiness, examination of conscience, response to social/economic/political situations, prayer, chastity, consistent respect for life
  • Physical Education
    • Grades 6, 7, 8: Motor skills, movement patterns, tactics and strategies, health-enhancing programs
  • Other Topics
    • Grade 6: Conscience formation, service in the community, humility, fortitude, prudence, justice, independence, responsibility
    • Grade 7: Healthy and unhealthy relationships, change, respect of others’ abilities, self-reliance
    • Grade 8: Responsible dating, respectful friendships, self-acceptance

Interested in enrolling your student at

Saint Mary School?

Enrolling your student at Saint Mary School is an easy process! If you’re interested in learning about all of the enriching educational and spiritual opportunities at Saint Mary School, contact the school office via phone (608-754-5221) or email. Also, see our FAQs for answers to specific questions.

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Saint Mary School admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. Learn more.
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