Comprehensive Curriculum
Religion
St. Charles School is first and foremost a Catholic School. Our religion program is the underlying structure of our school day.
Reading
St. Charles offers a literature based reading program, which provides skill continuity from grade to grade and emphasizes writing skills across the curriculum.
Language Arts
Our language series is a complete program of solid, traditional language instruction. It provides skill continuity from level to level, with content built around children’s language interest.
Mathematics
A complete basic mathematics program devoted to total skill development is offered in kindergarten through eighth grade. The program is designed to teach basic computational skills from instruction through maintenance, build problem solving skills and strategies that students can apply daily, and encourages a positive realistic attitude toward mathematics.
Social Studies
The studies of geography, history, cultures, civics, and sociology are combined in this program.
Science
The studies of earth, life and physical science are taught in our Science program, and current health issues are also examined.
Other
Computer Literacy, Spanish, Music, Art and Physical Education are elements included in our full curriculum.
Student Achievement
In aggregate, St. Charles students perform at or above grade level, as measured by the nationally standardized achievement test, Iowa Tests of Basic Skills® . Longitudinal growth consistently measures growth of more than one year, per year of academic instruction. When groups or individual students are identified as demonstrating below-grade level performance, support structures are put into place.
St. Charles’ 8th grade students experience high levels of acceptance into Catholic high schools. Each year many of our students apply to multiple Catholic high schools. Acceptance rates remain high, at levels greater than 98%, across all high schools in the Bay Area, including St. Ignatius College Preparatory, Archbishop Riordan, Mercy High School in Burlingame, Notre Dame Belmont, Junipero Serra, St. Francis, Sacred Heart Preparatory, Woodside Priory, and Archbishop Bellarmine College Preparatory . According to principals and teachers at Catholic high schools, St. Charles graduates are well prepared and perform well upon attendance.
Resource Program
The Resource Program at St. Charles addresses the needs of students in grades K-8 who have a designated learning disability (per professional testing) as well as those who are identified by teachers as at risk, based on classroom performance and response to intervention. Students are referred to the resource specialist after teachers have deployed multiple classroom interventions to support improvement and the students still present specific learning needs.
If a student demonstrates insufficient response to such interventions, the resource specialist completes the Response to Intervention form with direct input from the classroom teachers. A Student Study Team (SST) meeting is conducted with parents, teachers, and administration to specify the student’s strengths and weaknesses, discuss specific concerns, and develop an action plan. A follow-up report is sent to all participants for implementation. At this time, the student may be admitted into the Resource Program.
Resource classes meet twice a week for 40-45 minutes. Areas of instruction include reading fluency, reading comprehension, writing skills, attention, memory, and test-taking skills. In addition to their standard quarterly report cards, resource students receive a detailed resource report card highlighting areas of achievement and specific skills in need of further development.
More than Academics—Promoting Social Development
St. Charles School understands that educating the whole child is more than just academics. It is our mission as a Catholic school to provide students with opportunities for the multidisciplinary education they need t develop responsibility and demonstrate STAR student expectations in the 21st Century. A variety of enrichment opportunities include programs such as student council, enrichment classes, guest speakers, technology team, traffic team, spelling bee, science fair, outdoor education, and team sports.
St. Charles Spiritual Development
Planning school liturgies and daily class prayer gives students opportunities to grow spiritually.
Art-in-Action Program
Parent docents provide art instruction, and students complete art projects influenced by the genre, style, and media of specific artists.
Christian Service
Students gain experience in serving less fortunate members of our community and developing stewardship and respect for the environment.
Student Government
Students in grades 4-8 participate in the student governance program and develop leadership skills and community responsibility.
Extra-Curricular Activities
Many activities are available to supplement classroom work, including after school sports, altar service, choir, cheerleading, annual talent show, educational field trips, sixth grade outdoor education, eighth grade retreat, after school music lessons, after school golf & tennis lessons, and competition in the Academic Decathlon.