Our rigorous academic program has been recognized twice by the U.S. Department of Education as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. In addition, our administration and teachers have been recognized for their hard work and dedication to our school community. 

Early Childhood:  Pre-Kindergarten, Junior Kindergarten, and Kindergarten

The St. Therese Early Childhood Program is rich and nurturing. The core curriculum includes Math, Literacy, Religion, Science, and Social Studies. Students in Pre-Kindergarten (PK), Junior Kindergarten (JK) and Kindergarten (K) also participate in daily special classes such as Mandarin, Spanish, Technology, Art, Music, and Physical Education.

At St. Therese, we believe that college and career readiness begins with our youngest students and we encourage the development of skills including critical thinking, problem solving and motivated learning.

Areas of focus in our curriculum include:

• Language and Literacy Development — Guides a child’s ability to convey her/his ideas, thoughts, and feelings through speaking and writing, and the ability to demonstrate early reading skills.
  
• Mathematical Thinking — Encourages problem solving, number sense, spatial awareness, and being able to recognize math concepts in the world around them.
  
• Executive Functioning — Builds the skills necessary for learning, such as independence, attention, and persistence.
  
• Social and Emotional Development — Promotes the child’s ability to express and respond to feelings and develop positive relations with others.
  
• Physical Development and Wellness — Provides opportunities to build motor skills, strength, stamina, and teamwork. Additionally, children gain the knowledge needed to make healthy lifestyle choices.
  
• Cognitive Development — Supports the mental processes needed to think, make sense of the world and build an understanding of academic content across different subjects.
  
• Expression — Inspires the child to explore innovatively, inventively, creatively, and imaginatively.
  
• Technology — Introduces technology, tools, and coding concepts through programs such as Osmo and Bee Bot. 
  

The St. Therese Early Childhood teachers are highly skilled, experienced, and compassionate educators. They utilize their experiences from inside and outside of the classroom, including Harvard University’s Project Zero Classroom program, to create exciting educational experiences. The Early Childhood instructors and staff work together as a team to ensure the students are well-prepared to continue their education. Our educators also regularly work with outside experts, such as the Erikson Institute and the University of Chicago, to provide the latest and most impactful learning environment for the children.

Primary Grades:  1st and 2nd Grade

Our Primary Grades Program continues to build on the social-emotional nurturing and foundational academic skills of our Early Childhood Program while also preparing our students for success in our robust Middle Grades Program.

Students receive daily instruction in Science, Social Studies, Religion, and Handwriting from their grade level teacher.  Students learn a variety of literacy strategies to meaningfully engage with fiction and informational texts in English & Language Arts, as well as expand their knowledge of algebraic thinking in Math. English & Language Arts and Math are departmentalized, with students moving between classrooms for these subjects. This multi-year approach to instruction simultaneously allows the subject teachers to develop a deep understanding of student learning needs, aiding them in differentiating their instruction, and empowers students to establish the individual responsibility that will be vital as they continue their learning in the Middle Grades and beyond

Middle Grades:  3rd, 4th, and 5th Grades

Our Middle Grades Program introduces rigor and independence. The St. Therese core curriculum includes Math, English & Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies. In addition, our students participate in daily Mandarin and Religion classes and weekly Art, Music, Spanish, Technology, and Physical Education classes.  Our students are also offered countless opportunities for participation in extracurricular activities.

Starting in 3rd grade, students travel between classrooms to learn from subject specific teachers for Math, English & Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, and all special classes. This gives students independence and encourages personal responsibility. Our students develop critical thinking, problem solving, and self-regulated learning to prepare not only for our rigorous Junior High program, but also to become college and career ready in the future. 

Junior High:  6th, 7th, and 8th Grades

Our Junior High Program is rigorous and rich. The St. Therese core curriculum includes Math, English & Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies. Not only does our curriculum meet learning standards, it reaches beyond.

Our Math program is based on the constructivist approach and integrates Singapore Math principles and key Common Core Mathematical Practices. By the end of their time at St. Therese, our students will have completed one full year of Algebra and Geometry, which helps propel them to advanced courses in high school. 

Our English & Language Arts program exposes students to multiple forms of literary expression, writing strategies, and encourages active and deliberate reading.

Across classrooms, we focus on collaborative learning, technology integration, and critical thinking skills. All of our students participate in daily Mandarin and Religion classes and weekly Art, Music, Spanish, Technology, and Physical Education classes. Our students are also offered countless opportunities for participation in extracurricular activities.

To foster a greater sense of independence and to prepare students for high school, our students each have their own lockers, passing periods, and study hall.  Our Junior High Program prepares students academically and socio-emotionally for a successful transition into high school, college, and beyond.