ACADEMIC PROGRAM
 

The educational program of St. Pius X School meets the requirements set by the Diocese of Covington and the Kentucky Department of Education.  St. Pius X School was accredited by the Kentucky Non-Public School Commission in October of 2007. In spring 2001, St. Pius X School was named a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the US Department of Education.

Curriculum
 

Religion

The religious and moral training of the students is the most important part of our program.  We try to help the student grow, not only in the knowledge of our faith, but also in the practice of it.  The religion classes are taught using the curriculum guidelines established by the Diocese of Covington, under the supervision of the Director of Religious Education for the parish. Students and teachers attend Mass twice a week, Monday with grades 1-4, Tuesday with grades 5-8 and Friday with K-8.  Parents are always welcome to attend these liturgies.  The sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist are celebrated in the second grade, and the Sacrament of Confirmation is celebrated in the eighth grade. Students in grades three to eight have the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation periodically throughout the year.  Para-liturgies and prayer services are also scheduled throughout the year for all students as part of their Religion classes.

Secular Academic Areas

In addition to Religion, the students of St. Pius X School are presented with a solid program of secular academic subjects including Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. Computer Skills are included in the academic areas.

Enrichment Areas

St. Pius X offers each student weekly lessons in Spanish, Art, Music, Library, and Physical Education.

Student Services

Accelerated Reader Program

Students participate in the Accelerated Reader Program.  This program is designed to encourage children to read at their instructional level by offering summative quizzes.    

To help maintain the atmosphere of mutual trust and confidence among students and teachers, and to ensure that each student is judged solely according to his or her own merits, the St. Pius X School community has established an Honor Code for the Accelerated Reader Program. (Appendix B)

Counselor

St. Pius X School also has the services of a school counselor who is available to assist parents, teachers, and students in various ways.  Services offered include arranging of testing for students with academic or psychological difficulties, counseling of students, and consulting with teachers and professional staff regarding students’ needs.

Internet Access

St. Pius X School offers students to access the Internet as a technological tool to be used as a resource to enhance the teaching/learning process.  To gain access, all students must obtain parental permission and must sign and return the Acceptable Use Policy (Appendix A).

Library/Audio-Visual

The library is one of the most important facilities offered to the students.  The library is open during the school day and after school for reference work, checking out of books, story hours, and browsing.  The librarian, along with the volunteers who assist her, coordinates the entire library program.

Books from the library may be borrowed for one week and may be renewed for another week.  Anyone with an overdue book will be fined 5 cents per day that the student is in school.  If a book is lost or damaged, the student is responsible for paying the amount stated by the librarian to replace or repair the book.  Reference books may be used in the library only.  Books taken from the shelves to be looked at or for research should be returned to their proper places on the shelf.  Students should ask for help from the librarian if necessary.

Resource Teacher

St. Pius X School has a full time Resource Teacher. Students are referred to the Resource Teacher by the classroom teachers.  This may be for additional individual or small group instruction.  The Resource Teacher will also work in the classroom, as time permits.

Standardized Testing

St. Pius X School follows the program set up by the Diocese of Covington.  Test results are reported to parents.

Field Trips

All students should participate in planned field trips. Proper conduct is expected on all class activities away from school. Fees and permission slips must be brought to the school in advance. All school guidelines, including gum and candy, are to be followed on field trips.

Students who have been behavior problems in school pose a liability and a potential safety hazard to other students when they are permitted to attend various field trips.  If a child has experienced difficulty in self-discipline, parents will be contacted prior to the field trip, notifying them of our intention to eliminate their child from the field trip.  Students who are not permitted to attend a field trip after payment for buses and/or admission are paid will not receive a refund.

Classroom Behavior           

Students are expected to use school time profitably by: 

  • Being an attentive listener

  • Participating in discussions and sharing ideas

  • Cooperating in group projects

  • Completing assignments at the designated time

  • Refraining from disturbing others

  • Using learning materials meaningfully

  • Developing habits of using study time in a profitable way

  • Using the Student Assignment Book to keep track of all class assignments

Homework

Homework is an educational tool that reinforces a concept taught or reviews previously presented material.  It is not necessarily written work, as studying and reading constitute homework also.  Parents can assist the student by providing a quiet place and a regular study time each evening, and by making sure that assignments are neat, complete, and accurate. Homework/Responsibility Alerts will be sent home when homework is not completed. These alerts must be signed by the parent and returned to school with the missing work the next day.  An accumulation of alerts will result in additional consequences.

Homework should reinforce or extend class instruction/ activities.  Teachers should not assign homework on weekends or holidays unless it is a long-range assignment.  Generally speaking, the length of daily homework should be:

                        Grades 1 and 2             20-30 minutes

                        Grades 3 and 4             30-45 minutes

                        Grades 5and 6              45-60 minutes

                        Grades 7and 8              60-90 minutes

If your child is consistently taking a greater or lesser amount of time completing assignments than the time indicated above, please consult the teacher.

Teachers should post daily and long term assignments on the webpage.