SPICE 2002 Model Program Descriptions
Educating Young Adolescents
Junior High Elective Program: "Exploration through Electives"
Our Lady of Malibu School
Malibu, California
OLM is a K-8 school located in the Los Angeles suburb of Malibu, serving the residents of the local community as well as the adjoining communities of Calabasas, Pacific Palisades and Santa Monica. The demographic makeup of the area is substantially upper middle class and Caucasian. Approximately 25% of the students are non-Catholic, representing various Christian denominations and students of the Jewish faith.
The program has been designed to provide students in grades 5-8 with the possibility to explore new learning opportunities through interaction with both adults and classmates outside of their own grade level. With this program, new skills and proficiencies may be acquired in an enjoyable, non-threatening environment with success not measured in terms of output and grades, but rather involvement with challenges that engage both mental and physical learning modalities. The program takes place biweekly on Friday afternoons during the school’s second semester. The staff, parents and students work together to design interesting and engaging curriculum which have included video production, computer animation, yoga, art, French, calligraphy, and photography. There is virtually little or no cost to the school or the students.
The PEGASUS 7/8 Program
La Salle Academy
Providence, Rhode Island
La Salle Academy has both a high school (grades 9-12) and a middle school (grades 7 and 8). The middle school program is called the PEGASUS 7/8 Program (Program to Enhance the Gifts, Aptitudes, and Skills of Unique Students). Its operation is exclusive from the high school and housed in a separate part of the building. It has its own basic facilities, faculty, and administrative team (a Principal and a Dean of Students). There are 90 gifted and talented students in the entire two-year program. The Program has eight teachers (two of which served as both teachers and administrators). In addition to teacher certification and advanced degrees, faculty members are all required to participate in the University of Connecticut’s Confratute on Gifted Education.
The students who are enrolled in the Program are from all areas of Rhode Island and neighboring of Massachusetts. Student selection for the Program is based on prior success in elementary school, teacher/principal recommendations, and actual observations made by the Program’s staff and outside educators during a 4-hour processing period. Selection is only made for entrance into grade 7. No one is allowed into the Program in grade 8. Upon completion of the course of study, PEGASUS students are automatically admitted into La Salle’s high school honors program.
In lieu of teaching traditional school subjects as separate entities, the curriculum is integrated and all subjects (including religion) are taught around core themes. This allows the teachers to develop skills along with disseminating content. Grade 7 uses the themes of structure, connections, and discoveries and insights. Grade 8 centers around change, conflict and resolution. Students also study pre-Algebra/Algebra I and Latin. Frequent field trips play an important part in expanding the core curriculum for teachers. In addition to the curriculum listed above, PEGASUS has a teacher/student advisory program as well as a community service component. Evaluations are done on each student in the form of narrative reports at the end of each trimester.
Efforts are made throughout the year to address the social needs of the students. At the start and conclusion of each year, students are brought on overnight away trips to assist the faculty in building solid community spirit. Activities such as dances, skating parties, movie days, sports tournaments, etc. are also sponsored each month by faculty and parents as well.
Saint Matthew Parish Middle School
Indianapolis, Indiana
The Middle School students at St. Matthew participate in a rigorous curriculum which is enhanced with spiritual and leadership opportunities. The curriculum at St. Matthew Middle School is established by the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. It assures that the students are actively engaged in their learning experiences through a variety of teaching styles, such as: learning clubs, presentations, individual work, projects, and a variety of authentic assessments. The staff at St. Matthew implements the curriculum using the ITI Model (Integrated Thematic Instruction) by Susan Kovalik. This model is based on brain research concerning the education of children. The entire faculty has been extensively trained in this model and continues to work to improve the education of all children in our parish school. The faculty bases its curriculum and instruction on the eight components of brain compatible learning: absence of threat, choice, adequate time, enriched environment, collaboration, meaningful content, immediate feedback, and mastery. Saint Matthew Middle School students are exposed to sports offered through the Catholic Youth Organization and scouts. The students also participate in: Student Council, Academic Trivia, Science museum, I-STAR, "Families", Megaclub leaders, Elective programs, Pilgrimage trips, Washington D.C. trips, and many more activities.
Nativity Educational Center Network, Inc.
The Nativity Model is designed to transform the life and aspirations of youngsters from low-income families by encouraging them to realize their fullest human potential as productive members of society and as leaders and role-models in their families and communities. The program takes a comprehensive approach to student development, characterized by high academic expectation, moral and spiritual values, small classes, a supportive family-type educational community and an exceptionally dedicated faculty and staff.
The essential elements of a Nativity-modeled school are:
- Quality education: providing opportunities for academic, physical, social, moral and spiritual development
- For students of low-income urban families, who would not otherwise have access to such an education
- Not tuition driven. Faith-based
- Small classes. Extended day. Extended year
- Parental involvement
- Support during the high school years
The Judeo-Christian values which have inspired the Nativity model include a respect for the dignity and potential of each person, a responsibility to assist the poor and those in need, a strong sense of community within the one family of God, and the obligation to promote a society characterized by social justice. In this non-sectarian Nativity model students are enrolled without regard to race, color, religion or ethnicity.
REACH: Research Enrichment Appreciation Challenge High Energy
Good Shepherd School
Orlando, Florida
Good Shepherd School is an urban school located in Orlando, Florida. It serves 650 students grades Kindergarten through 8. Our multi-cultural population consists of Asian, African-American, Hispanic, Philippine and Caucasian ethnicity.
Good Shepherd School is committed to providing for young people a secure Christian environment where they can grow socially, emotionally, physically, intellectually and spiritually. Good Shepherd promotes a curriculum designed to form Christian leaders who see the interrelatedness of all people and perceive themselves a global citizens.
Good Shepherd strives to design and present curriculum which is relevant and provides students with those skills necessary to meet challenges and to make decisions reflective of gospel values. In keeping with today’s challenge to teach to the multiple intelligences of students, the middle school exploratory program is designed to provide opportunities to expand and enrich the academic program.
A team of Middle School teachers and administrators developed a curriculum with an acronym of REACH standing for Research, Enrichment, Appreciation, Challenge and High-energy.
The objectives of the REACH Exploratory Program are threefold:
- To engage students in challenging extension opportunities in areas of special interest
- To offer students the opportunity to develop academic and organizational skills
- To foster attitudes consistent with Christian values
Integrating Faith and Values in a Middle School Model
Holy Trinity Middle School
Charlotte, North Carolina
The unique concept of a Catholic Middle School became the inspiration of a group of dedicated pastoral and lay leaders in the Diocese of Charlotte in 1994. Its development grew from a need as Charlotte being identified as one of the fastest growing Catholic communities in the United States.
The successful implementation of this concept has spurned a resurgence in Catholic identity and rekindled a sense of service for our community. The initial components of our program include the overall development of the spiritual,intellectual, and emotional well being of each of our students. A wide range of after school activities incorporate the physical development and sense of school spirit for these adolescents with parenting programs being an integral part for the success of our model. In addition we are very fortunate to have the services of a full time priest on our staff which affords us the opportunity for spiritual guidance and prayer.
Advisory Program
Annunciation Catholic Academy
Altamonte Springs, Florida
Effective advisor/advisee programs are essential in middle school because they enable students to have a meaningful relationship with at least one adult in the school. In order for this to occur, trust must be developed between the advisor and the advisee. The advisor is concerned not only with the students’ personal adjustment but also with the child’s academic progress. Advisors do not replace guidance counselors but because they often know the students better than other adults in the school, they are able to identify at- risks students.
The following advisor/advisee mission statement summaries the goals of the program:
Annunciation Catholic Academy’s Middle School Advisory Program instills in students a sense of faith, self-worth and acceptance of one another. It provides students with the opportunity to develop a personal relationship with a staff member who becomes their advocate within the school community and the primary contact for their families. The program is conducted in a small-group setting that:
- encourages positive personal choices,
- facilitates appropriate interactions among peers,
- fosters parent and school communication, and
- addresses the unique emotional, spiritual and social needs of middle school students.
Acceleration: Starting High School after the Sixth Grade
Covington Latin School
Covington, Kentucky
FOUNDER’S VISION:
Engraved above the central door of the school are the words of Psalm 119:66 that serve as its motto:
"BONITATEM ET DISCIPLINAM ET SCIENTIAM DOCE ME."
The founder of the COVINGTON LATIN SCHOOL was the Most Reverend Francis W. Howard, former president of the NCEA. In founding the COVINGTON LATIN SCHOOL, Bishop Howard took as his starting point the European "gymnasium" which served to move academically talented young men and women through an accelerated college preparatory education. He incorporated into the school's curriculum the best aspects of American education in citizenship and the rich cultural and religious heritage of the Catholic tradition.
The elements of the school motto reflect Bishop Howard's perception:
BONITATEM (Goodness): The COVINGTON LATIN SCHOOL must help to shape the moral character of its students in the qualities of honesty, reverence, self-control, obedience, and in the recognition of the duties of a Christian toward God, nation, neighbor and self.
DISCIPLINAM (Discipline): The COVINGTON LATIN SCHOOL must help the students train themselves in sound mental discipline with precise and regular study habits, orderly and productive work habits, and the development of sound critical judgement.
SCIENTIAM (Knowledge): The COVINGTON LATIN SCHOOL must prepare its students for college and life by exposing them to a rigorous academic curriculum reflecting the strongest elements of the classical liberal arts along with the best of modern scientific and mathematical courses.
DOCE (Teach!): The COVINGTON LATIN SCHOOL must employ teachers of high quality and dedication to match that required by the academic courses and the religious formation programs.
In bringing together all the elements of Bishop Howard's vision for over 75 years, the COVINGTON LATIN SCHOOL has provided graduates of outstanding leadership in the religious, civic, and professional life of the community.
National Catholic Educational Association
