At Saints Simon & Jude Catholic School, our curriculum is rooted in a strong Catholic identity and academic excellence, aligning with the teachings of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), the Diocese of Orange, and Saints Simon & Jude Catholic Church. Our academic programs are designed to nurture the whole child—spiritually, intellectually, socially, and emotionally—while meeting, and exceeding, the rigorous California State Standards.
Through a faith-based education, we integrate Gospel values into all subject areas, fostering a learning environment where students grow in their relationship with Christ while developing critical thinking skills, creativity, and a love for lifelong learning. Our commitment to academic excellence ensures that students are well-prepared for high school and beyond, equipped with a strong moral foundation and a dedication to serving others.
Core Curricular Classes
- Weekly grade level Mass
- Monthly school wide Mass
- Curriculum aligned to the Archdiocese of Seattle and approved by the Diocese of Orange
- Liturgy preparation
- Sacramental preparation
- Spiritual retreats
- Service projects
- Eucharistic Adoration, Stations of the Cross, Rosaries, Penance Services
- Curriculum aligned to Common Core State Standards
- Foundational skills in reading (emphasis in lower grades)
- Conventions and knowledge of language integrating vocabulary, spelling, and grammar
- Skills practice in persuasive, expository, and narrative writing
- Small group instruction
- In-Depth Novel Studies
- Book Club Collaboration (Middle School)
- Differentiated instruction for remediation and enrichment
- Curriculum aligned to Common Core State Standards
- Emphasis on problem solving and critical thinking skills
- Skills practice in foundational skills using Freckle and ALEKS
- Small group instruction
- Differentiated instruction for remediation and enrichment
- Middle School – Compacted Math/ Algebra and Geometry for eligible students
- High School Placement Test preparation (8th grade)
- Curriculum aligned to Next Generation Science Standards
- STEM integration with Inspire Science McGraw Hill (all grade levels)
- Scientific inquiry, hands on investigation, and experimentation (all grade levels)
- Differentiated instruction for remediation and enrichment
- Field study opportunities (6th Grade – Science Camp – Big Bear Area & 7th Grade – Catalina ).
- Middle School grade-designated studies include earth, life, and physical sciences
- Curriculum aligned to California State Standards
- Studies include Communities, California History, American/US History, World History, and Ancient Civilizations
- Differentiated instruction for remediation and enrichment
- Field study opportunities (8th Grade – DC Mission Trip)
- Curriculum approved by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Orange – designed to be mission driven (does not align with California FAIR Act requirements).
Enrichment Curricular Classes
- Students will explore and discover what it means to be an engineer.
- Students will build, compare and contrast, innovate, and create.
- Students are exposed to 3D printing, coding robots, Lego robotics, various building materials
- Students are read to by our librarian through an immersive and interactive experience.
- Students are able to check out books that spark their interest.
- Newly renovated library provides a variety of seating arrangements to ensure all students are able and encouraged to read.
- Follows the natural language acquisition process of hearing, listening, comprehending, imitating, speaking, reading, writing, and then, studying the grammar
- IES (International Education System) 6 Step Process accomplishes the repetition necessary for learning the new language
- Engaging activities, games, and songs are utilized for reinforcement and enjoyment
- Students first communicate in single words, progressing to very simple sentences, and finally complex sentences
- Listening and speaking in emphasized in the classroom
- 95% of the class is conducted in Spanish
- Curriculum aligned to California State Standards
- Students gain strong musical foundation
- Feierabend’s First Steps in Music is used in Kindergarten through 2nd Grade to guide students through the first steps in music such as pitch exploration, simple songs and more
- Conversational solfege is used to guide our students through singing, playing, decoding, and audiation in music for students in 3rd through 5th Grade
- 3rd Grade receives instrumental instruction on recorders as well as various Orff percussion instruments
- 4th and 5th Grade receives instruction on the Ukulele
- Middle school students can elect to take Classical Guitar
- All middle school students receive an music enrichment class focused on music appreciation
- Class Act partner school – partnered with the Pacific Symphony for additional classical music instruction and appreciation.
- Curriculum aligned to California State Standards
- Age appropriate games
- Developmentally appropriate gross motor skills practice
- Development of basic sportsmanship
Middle School Electives
- Students produce the school’s yearbook.
- They combine concepts to generate innovative ideas, set goals and create artwork that is meaningful and has purpose.
- Students use art vocabulary to describe personal choices in their designs, they critique, justify and present their designs.
- Students use and apply their creative skills to problem solving, communication, collaboration, time management and resources to create an end product.
- Students work with teachers and administration to create printed materials, posters and videos.
- Students design and direct the school’s Dolphin News Network – live streamed on Youtube
- Students will develop organizational leadership skills that will help prepare them to be an effective team member.
- Students will work to be exceptional leaders for the Saints Simon & Jude Catholic School community through discovering their leadership style and embodying responsibility.
- Students examine case studies to learn about the human anatomy and related disorders of the human body.
- Students learn of the various roles of individuals in medical vocations and their contributions to the treatment and care of their patients.
- Guitar Elective is open to students grades 6th – 8th and focuses on guiding beginning players on their instruments as well as improving the musical skills of intermediate and advanced players.
- Each student will perform a group ensemble piece of music as well as a solo work by the end of the school year.
Horticulture:
- Students will gain a broad range of experience as they pertain to the community garden
- Students will learn about the establishment, advertisement, financing, construction, seeding, cultivation, and harvest of our community garden.
Innovation Lab:
- Students will survey a variety of STEM topics through the lens of computer science.
- Students explore topics ranging from computer architecture to programming robots to solve mazes.
- Students design, build, and program, bots to participate in complex games.
Mathletes:
- Students explore different ways in which mathematics is applicable in the real-world, such as Statistics and Cryptography, as well as discuss interesting mathematical phenomena such as Mobius Strips and the Golden Ratio.
- Additionally, parents who use Math as part of their careers are guest speakers throughout the year.
Drama:
- Students will learn about the fundamentals of theater.
- Students will write and direct their own vignettes about a saint.
Fine Art:
- Students will learn about the fundamentals of drawing and fine art.
- Students will produce their own art based on a variety of topics and artists.
Dance:
- Students learn about various forms of popular and traditional dance.
- Students will culminate their education through a choreography of their own creation.
Junior Teacher:
- Students will assist elementary teachers with reading and working with students in their classroom through a mentoring/tutoring program.
- Minimum 3.0 GPA requirement.
