Curriculum

Mathematics: St. John’s Area School uses the Sadlier Mathematics Curriculum in grades K-6 which centers on building number sense, strategic mathematical thinking processes, computation, problem solving, and discussion. Our math curriculum is aligned with the MN State Standards and enables our students to explore, develop, test, discuss, justify, and apply mathematical ideas and thinking.

Reading: SJAS teaches children the love of reading! It is easily one of the most important jobs of a school. We use Super Kids reading program in Pre-K – grade 1 and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Into Reading in grades 2-6. Reading skills are infused into all parts of our day, focusing on phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, and comprehension skills. Students work on writing to communicate their ideas, constructing sentences, paragraphs, and essays, in addition to handwriting, spelling and cursive. All of these skills are aligned with the MN State Standards and supported through read to self-activities and a wide variety of text. Further, we support a love for reading through classroom Accelerated Reading goals, school-wide activities during “I Love to Read Month”, and continually purchasing and updating our library with new books.

Religion: The Allelu program is used in Pre-Kindergarten and the Sadlier, We Believe text book is used in grades K-6. Our root beliefs are evident in our school culture and is part of our mission that guides us in our daily activities. Students learn and are encouraged to explore and develop a deep faith in God lived out in their actions, and participate in school-wide service projects that help cultivate a sense of love of neighbor.

Social Studies: Our students in grades K-6 experience the McGraw Hill social studies program and the Nystrom Atlas which are aligned with the MN State Standards. Students in grades K-6 participate in annual field trips to support and enhance lessons in the social studies' curriculum.

Science: Science, like math and reading, is an integral part of our curriculum. Aligned with the MN State Standards, our teachers create hands on experiences that deliver concepts and encourage students to develop their thinking through the scientific method designed around problem solving. Students also have many opportunities to work cooperatively in small project based learning groups.