"Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."  ~ Matthew 25:35-40

Students participate in religion classes from 3K through eighth grade.  Prayer is an everyday activity. All grades participate in a Disciple Development program focusing on character traits, service, and leadership in living out our Catholic faith.  

Our students attend Mass every Wednesday. During Mass, students serve various liturgical tasks, including readings and petitions.

We have a Virtue of the Month Program, allowing students to learn about and try to incorporate virtues into their daily lives. Buddy Classes work together to grow together as a community and work through various activities regarding our monthly virtue.

Our Catholic values, teachings, and traditions provide the foundation of our school.

Saint Monica students grow in skill and understanding because of a math curriculum that strategically builds from year to year. Real-world problems, combined with direct instruction in fundamental math skills, create a rich learning environment in each classroom.  Building blocks such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division create a foundation for older students to begin fractions, algebra, and more advanced math.  

In junior high, advanced class options offer opportunities for growth. Our Math Department, consisting of THREE junior high teachers, is one-of-a-kind in the North Shore. We’re proud to say that Saint Monica students have and will continue to be well-prepared for mathematics classes in high school and beyond.

A rigorous curriculum focusing on writing, speaking, reading, and listening has caught the attention of area high school teachers. An SMS student stands out after graduation.

 The fundamentals of writing and grammatical ideas are introduced in the primary grades and carried all the way through eighth grade.  Writing is emphasized across the curriculum, and students learn to present their ideas in a variety of ways for a variety of audiences.  

Saint Monica students are exposed to many types of literature and challenged to consider plot, characters, theme and conflict from a Catholic perspective.  Direct instruction is given in speaking in front of an audience, listening and forming an argument, and effectively debating.

The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) have refocused Saint Monica School’s Science curriculum to teach through firsthand experiences such as investigation, design, and modeling. Instruction emphasizes scientific exploration and experimentation. In the state-of-the-art junior high science lab, Saint Monica students are immersed in investigative experiences that help to develop important critical-thinking skills.

With an intentional integration of our Catholic values, we discuss our beliefs as we work through scientific exploration.  For example, we incorporate ways we can take care of God’s creation while researching habitats. This type of instruction is unique to a Catholic School, and we pride ourselves on this deliberate, multi-faceted approach to teaching and learning.

"Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation."
Psalm 95:1

Music class is an important part of the the curriculum for all of our 4K-8th grade students. In addition to class time instruction, SMS offers Choir, Band, Strings, and Piano instruction as early as kindergarten.

Recognizing the importance of music to our sacred celebration of the Eucharist, and with the goal of fostering a heart ready to serve, our junior high students may audition to be cantors for school mass, and our Jubilation Choir regularly leads our school congregation in song.

Mrs. Wilson guides Saint Monica students through a curriculum rich in beauty, history, and all-out fun.  Saint Monica has treasured musical traditions, such as our Spring Showcase and also our incredible Variety Show, held at Dominican High School.  In music class (schedule below), students study rhythm, instruments, note reading, and vocal techniques.

Schedule:

4K and 5K Once per week

Grades 1st – 5th Twice per week

Grades 6th – 8th Once per week

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Mrs. Wallner leads the way for students to participate in creative and energy-filled units ranging from roller skating to jump rope. Kindergarten – 3rd grade emphasizes “mini-units”, games, and general physical fitness development. In grades 4th – 8th, units of study include volleyball, basketball, football, floor hockey, and soccer.  Schedule:

• 4K and 5K Twice per week (25-minute period)

• Grades 1st – 5th Twice per week (40-minute period)

• Grades 6th – 8th Once per week (Full class period)

“But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.” -Matthew 10:30

We offer student support to children in need of additional reading, math or writing assistance (as determined by classroom teachers). Grade level teachers work directly with the support team to help every child learn and grow. This instruction occurs within the classroom as well as in a learning center, both individually and in small groups. Our team prides itself on paying attention to and loving the unique gifts each child brings to our school.