Academics
Language Arts
The Language Arts curriculum is entrusted to St. Catherine of Siena. St. Catherine of Siena was a member of the Dominican order and a valiant woman of faith. She was taught how to read and write by Our Lord Himself. The astonishing results of this miracle are the Dialogue, a classic treasure of the Catholic Church. Her feast day is April 29.
Language is a student’s most important tool, for language gives us the building blocks of thought, speech, and communication. The Spiritus Sanctus Academy curriculum is designed to develop the communication skills—listening, speaking, reading, and writing—so that students can flourish as human beings made for communion. Our students gain confidence and competence as they advance in their abilities to use language effectively.
The curricular goals of language arts include a thorough understanding of the mechanics of the English language and usage, demonstrated in a clear ability to write well as well as exposure to and development of the ability to appreciate different types of quality literature.
Mathematics
The Mathematics curriculum is entrusted to St. Matthew the Apostle. He is the patron saint of accountants and bookkeepers because of his writing skills and his role as a Roman tax collector, which required ability with numbers. The feast of St. Matthew the Apostle is September 21.
Mathematics reflects the order and unity in God’s universe. It contributes to the development of the whole person by enriching one’s life and providing a practical tool for daily living. Every student needs an understanding and knowledge of the basics of mathematics which play a role in the pursuits of other academic career subjects. Contemporary society demands a kind of mathematical knowledge which helps students develop their ability to reason and to think critically and logically, as well as to discover both efficient and creative ways of solving problems.
The curricular goal for mathematics is to provide the students with an understanding of mathematics commensurate with their ability and age level.
Science
The Science curriculum is entrusted to St. Albert the Great. He was a member of the Dominican Order and one of his famous pupils was St. Thomas Aquinas. Steeped in biblical and theological studies, St. Albert could see the hand of God in all creation. Therefore, when he turned to the study of the natural sciences, he saw all things with the ‘eyes of faith’. He was among the first and greatest of natural scientists. He gained a reputation for his expertise in biology, chemistry, physics, botany, astronomy, geography, metaphysics, and mathematics. His feast day is November 15.
“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims the work of his hands” (Ps. 19:1).
The study of science enables one to delight in God’s creation as one penetrates its mysteries and learns to appreciate its order, laws, and structures. As stewards of God’s creation, students are taught to take responsibility for their actions, to discern which scientific and technological advancements enhance or disrupt the dignity of the human person and the beauty of creation.
The curricular goal of science is to provide the scientific knowledge, principles, and procedures necessary to understand the material world, as well as the ethics that should guide those principles and procedures.
Social Studies
The Social Studies curriculum is entrusted to St. Thérèse of Lisieux. Although St. Thérèse lived as a Cloistered Carmelite nun, she is the patron of missions because of her love for each individual soul created in God’s image and likeness. Indeed she possessed a Catholic world perspective shaped by the Church’s teaching and inflamed with God’s love. Her feast day is October 1.
The unique aspect of teaching social studies from a Catholic perspective is learning to see human events from the divine perspective with a special emphasis on the dignity and sacredness of the human person. The students’ perception of the world and its political, cultural, and religious dimensions will be shaped by the teachings of the Catholic faith with an emphasis on social teaching. By sharpening the analytical abilities of the students in identification, definition, and resolution of social problems, they will acquire a Catholic worldview which will move them to recognize and accept responsible membership in the world community.
Students will also be given a uniquely Catholic understanding of history: that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the central moment of history; that all of history is unfolding under God’s providential guidance; and that creation, time, and history will culminate at the end of time with the full manifestation of the kingdom of God.
The curricular goal for social studies is to provide students with an accurate perception of the world and its historical, geographical, political, cultural, and religious dynamics.
Physical Education
The Physical Education curriculum is entrusted to Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. Blessed Pier was a member of the Third Order of St. Dominic and prayed the Rosary three times a day. He was an able skier, never missing making a visit to the Blessed Sacrament after skiing. He was also fond of swimming, rowing, and bicycle riding. He died at the age of 24 and is a model for Christian athletes. His feast day is July 4.
Physical education is an integral part of Spiritus Sanctus Academy philosophy of educating and developing the whole person. The human body, as St. Paul states, is the temple of the Holy Spirit; therefore the Catholic Church views the body as having its play, like the soul, in giving glory and homage to God the Creator.
The curricular goal for physical education is to provide recognition of the values of good health and physical fitness.