Academic Information

Curriculum

St. Helen School strives to offer a Christ-centered program, which includes teaching the message of Christ, the building of community, and Christian service. We follow the Graded Course of Study for Elementary Schools which is provided by the Archdiocesan Office of Education. The areas of study are:

Religion
Language Arts
Math
Science
Social Studies
Music
Technology
Physical Education
Health
Art

Cursive Writing

Cursive writing is a skill that aids the fine motor and sensory development and is an important cognitive exercise. St. Helen School will follow this instructional path in regards to cursive writing:

Grade 2-introduction to cursive writing
Grade 3-mastery of cursive writing
Grade 4-strengthening of skills
Grade 5-8-maintenance of skills; students will be able to read and write cursive writing

Testing

The Diocese requires the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) standardized tests to be administered in the spring trimester for grades 2-8 as a diagnostic tool. The classroom teacher is better able to address the needs of the individual student, and the class as a whole, when testing results are used for both diagnostic and achievement measurements. Students in grades 3-8 are also given the Mandated State Test. The Assessment of Catholic Religion Education (ACRE) is administered to fifth and eighth graders in February.

St. Helen School participates in the testing programs specified by the Archdiocesan Superintendent and the State of Ohio. Assessments results will be communicated to parents, students, and appropriate stakeholders.

Assessment results will be reviewed for instructional purposes, as well as for intervention, guidance, grade-promotion decisions and evaluation. In addition to standardized testing, multiple and appropriate assessments aligned with the curriculum will be utilized to measure student growth.

Textbooks

All textbooks are approved by the Archdiocese. Books are to be covered at all times. Covers must be provided by the student. A book bag must be used whenever books are taken home. Students who lose their books will be assessed the value of the book. Students will be charged for books which are defaced or destroyed while in their possession.

Report Cards

Report cards are issued three times a year for students in K-8. All tuition, fees, and fines must be paid before the final report is issued.

Interim Reports will be issued at the mid-point in each semester if a student is doing less than satisfactory work (C– or S-). They will also be given if there is a radical change in a child’s performance.

Progress Code Kindergarten-2nd

4 – Consistently Demonstrates/Exceeds Proficiency

3 – Frequently Demonstrates Proficiency

2 – Progressing Toward Proficiency

1 – Demonstrates Limited Progress Toward Proficiency

N/A – Not Assessed This Grading Period

Effort Grade (Grades 1-8)

Satisfactory
Needs Improvement

The effort grade includes the following general criteria:

Completion of assigned work on time
Attention to task
Participation in class
Neatness of work

Progress Codes Grades 3-8

A+       100-99
A          98-95
A-        94-93
B+       92-90
B          89-87
B-        86-85
C+       84-82
C         81-79
C-        78-77
D+       76-74 (below average)
D         73-72 (below average)
D-        71-70 (below average)
F          Failing (below 70)
I           Incomplete—Insufficient amount of work to determine grade, incomplete work must be made up within two weeks.

*Ability Adjusted Curriculum — Curriculum adjusted to meet special needs of students.

Homework

Homework is an outgrowth of class work. The amount of time a student spends on homework will vary from student to student, but the following serves as an approximate guide:

Kindergarten: 10 minutes per night
Grade 1: 20 minutes per night
Grades 2 and 3: 30 minutes per night
Grades 4, 5, and 6: 45-60 minutes per night
Grades 7 and 8: 60-90 minutes per night

Updated September 18, 2022