THE CURRICULUM AT ST. FRANCIS XAVIER

The curriculum of St. Francis Xavier is based on the Archdiocesan-approved curriculum guide which contains all of the necessary knowledge and skills for entrance into an appropriate high school. The core curriculum is constantly evaluated and altered to meet the changing needs of students in this complex society.

Additionally, the school has enlarged and enhanced the core curriculum with supplemental programs of Spanish, computer, band, art, accelerated placement in certain grades and subjects, English I and Algebra I for high school credit in the 8th grade, and a State-Approved Learning Resource Center for qualifying students.

Promotional Subjects: These subjects are included in a student's daily schedule and include: Religion, Reading, English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. [See Promotion Requirements below.]

Non-promotional Subjects: These subjects include P.E., music, Spanish, computer, spelling, phonics, handwriting, art, and any other equally-important supplemental subjects not included in the daily schedule.

Accelerated & Honors: Students are placed in accelerated tracks and 8th grade Honors class[es] predicated on the previous year's academic grades and standardized test scores. This determinations is made by faculty and principal.

Learning Resource Center: A student who has been evaluated and identified by LEA, Special Education Department, and has been classified according to State Bulletin 1508 in one or more subjects will be placed [space permitting] in the Learning Resource Center, for remediation in the specified subject[s]. This placement becomes effective after a "Service Plan" [hereinafter referred to as SP] conference has been held with all concerned parties. An SP must be updated annually. An evaluation by the LEA must be done every three [3] years in order to retain placement.

Grading Scale: The school's grading scale is as follows:

Promotional subjects: A - 94-100; B - 86-93; C - 78-85; D - 70-77; U - 69 or below.
Non-promotional subjects: S- Satisfactory; U- Unsatisfactory.

Promotion Requirements:

Grades pre-K & K: Students successfully completing the requirements at these grade levels will be promoted to the next grade level. If, after careful evaluation by the teacher[s] and principal, a student is considered to be "not ready" academically and/or developmentally for the next grade level, a recommendation will be made to the parent for retention in that grade level. Parents must not consider this a failure. Milestones in children's lives are reached at different times. This is particularly true of this age group. A child's academic success at higher levels is most often determined by his/her readiness at these. While not a mandate, parents are strongly encouraged to give their child the "gift of time."

Grades 1 & 2: Students successfully completing the requirements at these grade levels will be promoted to the next grade level. A student who fails either Language Arts [Reading or English] or Mathematics will be required to repeat the grade. Any student failing grades 1 or 2 will not be eligible to attend summer school to remove the deficiency and be promoted to the next grade level.