Primary Grades: Kindergarten through 3rd grade

In the Primary Grades, we balance developmental growth with academic achievement.  Our core curriculum, established by the Archdiocese of Chicago and aligned with the Illinois State & National Standards, addresses the whole child – mind body and spirit and provides the basis for abstract, higher-level thinking in the years to come.  During these years, we see our students develop a growing sense of personal accomplishment and self-assurance, as they become confident learners and role models for others. 

Children in Primary Grades work with specialists in physical education, computer, music, library and fine arts through our unique Art Zone program, and anti-bullying techniques and conflict resolution through our PeaceBuilders program.  We believe that technology enhances the learning experience and, as such, incorporate it into classroom learning in numerous meaningful ways. 

We value world language learning at all levels, and each language program adheres to state and national standards.  Students in Kindergarten are taught Spanish in their classroom.  Students in grades 1-3 may continue studying Spanish with our Spanish teacher or begin utilizing our World Language Lab to learn 1 of 24 languages taught through the award-winning Rosetta Stone language-learning program.

The Superkids® reading program is introduced in Kindergarten and continues through 2nd grade.    Based on phonics, Superkids is completely aligned to the Common Core State Standards and integrates reading, writing, spelling and grammar.   The challenging Junior Great Books program is introduced to our accelerated readers in Kindergarten and continues through 8th.   Junior Great Books, taught by our Reading Specialist, gives children an opportunity to read amazing pieces of literature and discuss in-depth themes as a group.   

Children are introduced to mass in preschool, and begin to attend and participate in mass more regularly starting in Kindergarten.   Students in all grade levels participate in daily classroom prayer, grade-specific prayer services that take place in school, as well as all-school masses and prayer services that take place in church.  Students are introduced to the traditions of our Catholic faith such as Advent, Lent, Stations of the Cross and the Liturgical Seasons.  Students prepare for and receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Communion in 2nd grade. 

Math and Science occupy a prominent place in Primary School as hands-on activities, inquiry-based units, technology-integration and cooperative learning are employed. 

Program Information

The school day is from 7:50am – 3:00pm. 

Beginning in 3rd grade, students participate in ASPIRE testing. The ASPIRE test and its data provide feedback for teachers to assess the overall curriculum and the progress of each student.