Academics
Overview
We welcome children to the joy of learning through large and small motor activities, social-skill building, and engaging lessons that help them transition smoothly into kindergarten. Each child’s social, developmental, and academic needs are met through experiences that promote problem-solving, creativity, and early academic growth in language and math.
Preschool & Pre-K
We offer a variety of programs to meet your child’s needs. Our approximate 1-to-10 teacher-to-child ratio allows for individual attention and guidance. Parents are encouraged to be involved both at home and in the classroom.
Take the Next Step
To learn more or arrange a visit, please contact us.
Phone: 763-473-3675
Curriculum Highlights
- Reading readiness
- Number recognition, patterns, and early math skills
- Prayer and faith-filled learning
- Art, Music, Physical Education, Spanish, and STEM enrichment
- Nutritional snacks
- Outdoor play
- Large motor skill gym time
- Small motor activities
- Fall and spring parent-teacher conferences
Preschool Events
- Spring music program
- Field trips and classroom celebrations
- Preschool graduation ceremony
Additional Support
- Onsite licensed school nurse
- Nutritious hot lunch program (fee)
Classroom Curriculum
Holy Name of Jesus Catholic School believes in small, “right-sized” classes. With our low student-to-teacher ratio, teachers can give each child the attention he or she needs to succeed and address individual learning needs. Small-group instruction is supported by paraprofessionals, math and reading enrichment, and student support staff.
As a Catholic school, faith is at the heart of all that we do and teach. Students develop skills in reading, writing, mathematics, social studies, and science. Music and art, physical education and nutrition, library, Spanish, STEM, and technology are also part of our students’ education. An education at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic School goes beyond academics. It encourages students to apply these skills to understand the world around them and make it a better place.
Our academics are rigorous and are strengthened by support programs to meet the needs of all children. Our school offers academic challenges for advanced learners and targeted support for students with identified needs.
In addition, students benefit from academic activities such as Book Club, Catholic Math League, Chess Club, Coding Club, and other academically-focused enrichment opportunities.
Below, you’ll find how your child will learn and grow at each grade level throughout the school year.
Kindergarten
In Kindergarten, your child takes an active role in their learning through:
- Identifying words, letters, and sounds, building vocabulary, and journal writing
- Understanding and writing numbers 1–30 and exploring addition and subtraction
- Introducing our natural world through experiences and experiments with plants and animals
- Engaging in music, arts, and performance, including the annual Kindergarten Opera
Kindergarteners also learn beyond the classroom through field trips to Apple Jack’s Orchard, Westwood Nature Center, Eastman Nature Center, and the Children’s Museum.
First Grade
Students take an active role in their learning through:
- Applying grade-level phonics and word analysis skills to decode words
- Using context to grow vocabulary and deepen reading comprehension
- Writing opinion pieces that clearly state an opinion and provide supporting reasons
- Counting money, telling time, and learning concepts in geometry and fractions
First graders also learn beyond the classroom through field trips to various nature centers, a play performance, and visits from the Como Zoo.
Second Grade
Students take an active role in their learning through:
- Preparing for and celebrating their First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion
- Learning about light, matter, the water cycle, and living organisms through hands-on science activities
- Enhancing reading comprehension and grammar skills through thematic literature selections
- Adding and subtracting two and three-digit numbers, as well as basic multiplication and division
Second graders also learn beyond the classroom through field trips to the Arboretum, the Science Museum, a play performance, and the annual Thanksgiving Feast.
Third Grade
Students take an active role in their learning through:
- Learning cursive handwriting and applying the writing process to continue developing writing skills
- Expanding their understanding of multiplication and division facts, as well as decimals and fractions
- Building literacy, phonetic, and comprehension skills to become confident, capable readers
- Experiencing our country’s history through the Presidential Wax Museum
Third graders also learn beyond the classroom through field trips to the Arboretum, Baker Park – Near Wilderness Center, The Landing, and a play performance.
Fourth Grade
Students take an active role in their learning through:
- Using knowledge of sentence structure, grammar, punctuation, and cursive skills to continue developing writing skills
- Expanding their knowledge of number sense, algebraic operations, geometry, and data interpretation
- Exploring the regions of the United States and how we act as part of a global community
- Learning strategies and skills important to the reading process
Fourth graders also learn beyond the classroom through field trips to The Bakken Museum, Minnesota State Capitol, Cathedral of St. Paul, and Target Field.
The Edge: Fifth Grade
The EDGE stands for Empowering, Developmentally responsive, God-centered, Educationally challenging, and individualized learning.
In fifth grade, your child develops strong academic, organizational, and problem-solving skills while taking an active and collaborative role with peers through challenging and meaningful opportunities.
Students take an active role in their learning through:
- Developing a broader math number sense and foundation for applying computation skills to solve real-world mathematical problems
- Generating an individualized scientific question of interest and conducting a controlled experiment to answer the question, culminating in a science fair project to enhance communication skills
- Analyzing literature and dissecting the components of language to enhance writing skills
- Completing lessons in family life, safe touch, and anti-bullying
The Edge: Sixth Grade
The EDGE stands for Empowering, Developmentally responsive, God-centered, Educationally challenging, and individualized learning.
In sixth grade, your child develops leadership skills and prepares for junior high and high school through challenging and exciting learning opportunities.
Students take an active role in their learning through:
- Identifying and classifying organisms, parts of cells, earth science, and basic engineering
- Using both conceptual and real-world scenarios to test and enhance mathematical problem-solving skills
- Reinforcing grammar, spelling, comprehension, literature, vocabulary, language, and critical thinking skills
Fifth and sixth graders also learn beyond the classroom through subject-appropriate field trips. Sixth grade students also attend Wolf Ridge in the fall. The EDGE program partners with ICOP on service-learning projects throughout the year.
Special Programs
In addition to core academics, Holy Name of Jesus Catholic School offers a variety of specialist programs that enrich every student’s learning experience.
Art
Art at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic School is a hands-on program. Students explore a variety of art forms, from drawing and painting to three-dimensional sculpture and clay projects. Every art experience engages students in the Elements of Art and the Principles of Design. Through this weekly process of discovery, students develop skills and a sense of self-expression through their artwork.
We also participate in Art Adventure, an art appreciation program coordinated through the Minneapolis Institute of Art. After exploring and learning about an art collection, students have the opportunity to take a field trip to the Art Institute to see the pieces in person.
Students in KinderSparks through sixth grade attend Art once a week for 30 minutes.
Band
The band program at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic School welcomes all students in fourth, fifth, and sixth grade. There are two bands, Beginning and Advanced, that meet weekly either before or after school. Weekly small-group lessons are scheduled during the school day. Over 50% of our students in 3rd-6th grades participate in the band and/or choir.
Becoming a member of the band program is a great way to boost academic awareness and sharpen life skills for success in any subject. Music is a wonderful outlet and a confidence builder.
Our band students perform at both the Christmas and Spring concerts.
Media Center
The media center at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic School is designed to help students learn literacy skills integrated into the curriculum. By guiding students toward self-discovery and self-direction, the library media program helps students develop skills and attitudes essential to academic and personal growth.
Students in KinderSparks through 6th grade attend the Media Center once a week for 30 minutes.
Music
The music program at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic School promotes the development of well-rounded musicians by instilling not only the skills necessary for quality vocal and instrumental performance but also a solid foundation in the technical elements of music. Students experience music through a variety of lenses in the classroom and have many opportunities to sing, play classroom instruments such as the recorder and ukulele, and listen critically to different musical genres and styles. The goal of the music program is to develop in each student an appreciation for music as an art form so that, whether they go on to perform at the next level or not, they will still recognize music’s value as both a source of entertainment and of prayer.
Students in Kindergarten through 6th grade attend Music twice a week for 30 minutes. KinderSparks and LittleSparks attend Music once a week for 30 minutes.
Physical Education
The goal of Physical Education at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic School is to promote activity now and to develop a desire to stay active for a lifetime. In most class sessions, social skills, safety, and health information is incorporated into games and activities. Good sportsmanship is emphasized in every lesson.
Students in KinderSparks through sixth grade attend Gym twice a week for 30 minutes. Every spring, our sixth graders plan and execute Field Day, a fun-filled activity day for our Kindergarten through 5th grade students.
Spanish
Language and communication are at the heart of all human experiences. The goal of Spanish instruction is for students to be able to express themselves in Spanish (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) and to develop an awareness of the Spanish-speaking culture, demonstrating their understanding of both language and culture. The Spanish program is based on the Standards for Foreign Language Learning and built on the five C Standards for Learning Spanish: Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities.
Students in Kindergarten through 6th grade have Spanish classes twice a week for 30 minutes. KinderSparks have a Spanish class once a week for 30 minutes.
STEM Lab
The STEM Lab at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic School builds a foundation for innovation by teaching students to be problem solvers and 21st-century leaders. Focusing on science, technology, math, and engineering, the STEM Lab provides experiences, skills, and values that prepare students to be self-motivated, competent, lifelong learners. Students utilize critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity to find and solve problems, making God’s world a better place for everyone.
Students in KinderSparks through 6th grade attend the STEM Lab once a week for 30 minutes. This year, the STEM Lab partnered with the Minnesota Zoo, The Jeffers Foundation, and Southwest Airlines.
Technology
Technology classes at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic School include lessons that help students develop technology skills across curriculum areas. Technology is viewed as a tool to enhance academic excellence.
Student Goals:
- Develop computer literacy skills
- Become familiar with commonly-used software programs
- Utilize online collaboration tools in G-Suite for Education
- Gain experience in online research, video creation, and coding
- Explore educational activities that improve their technology skills
- Learn and teach other students about Digital Citizenship
- Strengthen keyboarding skills
Our goal is to integrate technology into our classroom curriculum areas. We accomplish this through:
- Each classroom has an interactive panel
- Chromebook cart for technology classes
- 1:1 Chromebook program in 5th and 6th grade
- Chromebook carts for classroom use in 3rd and 4th grade classrooms
- iPads in Kindergarten through 2nd grades
Students in Kindergarten through 6th grade have technology classes twice a week for 30 minutes.
School Age Care
Holy Name of Jesus Catholic School provides a before-school and after-school program for families who need this service. The before-school program begins at 7 am, and the after-school program runs from 3–5:45 pm. School Age Care is also provided during the summer months. Information regarding the programs is below, along with the registration forms.
Herbie’s Haven School Age Care (SAC) Program
SAC Coordinator: Dustin Fischer
SAC Phone: 763-745-3487
School Office: 763-473-3675
SAC Activities
All SAC sessions are held in the cafeteria. Students have scheduled, supervised access to the whole school and its facilities, including the gym, playground, cafeteria, media center, and technology lab. Our program provides a classroom for quiet homework.
Registration & Fees
- 7–8 am (Contracted) $6 per child per day (Cereal and fruit available)
- 7–8 am (Non-Contracted) $9 per child per day (Cereal and fruit available)
- 3–5:45 pm (Contracted) $14 per child per day (Snack provided)
- 3–5:45 pm (Non-Contracted) $17 per child per day (Snack provided)
Additional Sessions: Parents may not switch days on any given week, but if space permits, parents may schedule additional days beyond their contracted sessions. No drop-offs unless prearranged with SAC staff.
Summer SAC Program
During Summer SAC, students have scheduled, supervised access to the school and its facilities, including the gym, playground, cafeteria, media center, and technology lab. Weather permitting, SAC takes one field trip every week. Past destinations have included the Maple Grove Pool, Elm Creek Park, Big Thrill Factory, Twins games, the Minnesota and Como Zoos, and the Science Museum of Minnesota. Field trip costs are covered with tuition, except for the Minnesota Twins game.
Registration & Fees
- 7:30 am–5:45 pm, Monday–Friday, June–August
- $40 per child per day; maximum of $100 per family per day
Please provide a bag lunch. Milk is not available for sale during the summer.
Additional Sessions: If space permits, parents may schedule additional sessions beyond their contracted sessions. No drop-offs are permitted unless prearranged with SAC staff.
