EXTRACURRICULAR – ARCHODIOCESAN MUSIC PROGRAM

Philosophy

The music program seeks to play an equal part with the rest of the educational process in the development of the students so that they will grow into mature, Christian adults. It is not a vocationally oriented program, although many of our students have gone on to become professional musicians and music educators. Our primary position is not that of a “feeder” program for the secondary schools. Rather, we try to impart to as many children as possible the unique experience which can be attained only through an instrumental program; to teach the techniques of performance and the fundamentals of music and music making. The program strives to serve the needs of the schools, the parents, and the students.

This program is a diocesan program. We are as concerned with the schools whose music programs are not successful as with those which are. Schools whose band enrollments have dropped to as low as 8 to 10 students were not abandoned because they were not carrying their own weight or because they were difficult to schedule. The program operates the same way in each school and is committed to making instrumental music available to every student in the Archdiocese.

CLICK HERE for details and registration.

600 Veirs Mill Rd., Rockville, MD 20852

Phone (301) 762-4179

Fax (301) 762-9550

Website

Happy Memorial Day

600 Veirs Mill Rd., Rockville, MD 20852

Phone (301) 762-4179

Fax (301) 762-9550

Website

5 Pieces of Advice for Guys | 5 Things with Fr. Bill Byrne

5 Pieces of Advice for Guys | 5 Things with Fr. Bill Byrne

600 Veirs Mill Rd., Rockville, MD 20852

Phone (301) 762-4179

Fax (301) 762-9550

Website

Academics : Seventh and Eighth Grades

Our curriculum focuses on the development of the whole child. Departmentalization begins in the fourth grade and continues through eighth grade.

Classes are taught in a loving, supportive, Christian environment. There is a strong emphasis on faith development, and Catholic identity is visible throughout the school. Students are encouraged to learn about and practice the Catholic faith and to live this faith through community service and outreach programs.

Teachers use formal and informal assessments at all grade levels. Scantron Performance Standardized Assessment is used from Kindergarten through Eighth grade and is administered in at the beginning of the year, mid year, and at the end of the year..

Writing portfolios are integrated into the language arts curriculum at all grade levels, allowing students to monitor their progress in writing each year.

Seventh and Eighth Grades

Religion:

The religion program is a two-year preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. It is based on the doctrines of the Catholic Church as found in Scripture and Tradition. There is an emphasis on the Ten Commandments and the Creed. The students are led to understand how to make moral choices based on the Catholic faith and to establish a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Students attend school Mass one day a week. They participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation during Advent and Lent.

Language Arts:

The language arts curriculum is an integrated program of literature, grammar, vocabulary, and writing. The students write poems, personal narratives, short stories, and persuasive letters to add to their writing portfolios.

Mathematics:

Math instruction is designed to develop techniques and strategies to integrate math into daily life. The students learn and use formulae and algebraic expressions. They are introduced to the use of graphing calculators and computer spreadsheets. There are grade-level and accelerated classes.

Science:

The science program is designed to teach students to understand the universe around them. They develop problem solving strategies and effective methods of rational thinking. The focus in seventh grade is life science -- biology and human health, and in eighth grade physical science -- chemistry and physics.

Social Studies:

The social studies program focuses on history, civics, current events and geography. The students learn how to write a research paper.

600 Veirs Mill Rd., Rockville, MD 20852

Phone (301) 762-4179

Fax (301) 762-9550

Website

Academics : Fifth and Sixth Grades

Our curriculum focuses on the development of the whole child. Departmentalization begins in the fourth grade and continues through eighth grade.

Classes are taught in a loving, supportive, Christian environment. There is a strong emphasis on faith development, and Catholic identity is visible throughout the school. Students are encouraged to learn about and practice the Catholic faith and to live this faith through community service and outreach programs.

Teachers use formal and informal assessments at all grade levels. Scantron Performance Standardized Assessment is used from Kindergarten through Eighth grade and is administered in at the beginning of the year, mid year, and at the end of the year..

Writing portfolios are integrated into the language arts curriculum at all grade levels, allowing students to monitor their progress in writing each year.

Fifth and Sixth Grades

Religion: In the middle grades, the religion curriculum emphasizes Catholic teaching through a foundation in the Mass and Old and New Testaments with support from The Catechism of the Catholic Church. Students attend mass weekly with the parish community. They participate in school-wide masses and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Students continue to memorize Catholic prayers. The Family Life program is introduced at this level.

Language Arts: The language arts program is a literature-based program with a focus on vocabulary development and reading comprehension. Grammar, spelling, and mechanics are an integral part of the writing program. The students continue to maintain the portfolio begun in kindergarten.

Mathematics: The math curriculum stresses operations with fractions and decimals. As students progress they learn pre-algebraic concepts.

Science: Science instruction builds on concepts and techniques introduced in the earlier grades. The scientific process is used for student hands-on investigations. The students are taught critical reading strategies which apply to more technical material.

Social Studies: Social studies programs include topics of history, civics, current events and geography with a strong emphasis on appreciation and respect for the various cultures that comprise the world population.

600 Veirs Mill Rd., Rockville, MD 20852

Phone (301) 762-4179

Fax (301) 762-9550

Website

5 Things I Learned from My Dog | 5 Things with Fr. Bill Byrne

5 Things I Learned from My Dog | 5 Things with Fr. Bill Byrne

600 Veirs Mill Rd., Rockville, MD 20852

Phone (301) 762-4179

Fax (301) 762-9550

Website

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to YOU!

600 Veirs Mill Rd., Rockville, MD 20852

Phone (301) 762-4179

Fax (301) 762-9550

Website

Academics : Second Through Fourth Grades

Saint Mary's School offers a curriculum of academic and enrichment programs at every grade level. Additional teachers are employed to provide academic support as well as to teach Spanish, art, music, physical education, computer technology, and library skills.

Second Through Fourth Grades

The religion curriculum emphasizes the growth of students' Catholic Identity. The Catechism of the Catholic Church is the basis for Catholic teaching. The students participate in a weekly Mass, special liturgical services, and charitable outreach programs. The students are prepared for and receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist, in the second grade. There is an emphasis on memorization of Catholic prayers.

Language arts instruction is a literature-based reading program with a focus on phonics, vocabulary building, and reading comprehension. The students continue to build their writing portfolio with original, creative, and factual writing. English grammar and usage rules are taught through the writing process.

Math instruction makes use of manipulatives and technology for conceptual learning and the development of problem-solving skills. Students acquire skills in addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, measurement, and geometry, probability, and statistics.

Science instruction uses investigation through a hands-on approach to develop critical thinking skills. Each grade has topics appropriate to that level. Students investigate topics such as the solar system, light and sound, the human body, and health.

The social studies curriculum assists students in becoming responsible citizens. The students learn about their community, state, and country. There is a strong emphasis on geography skills and history. Students learn to respect cultural differences.

600 Veirs Mill Rd., Rockville, MD 20852

Phone (301) 762-4179

Fax (301) 762-9550

Website

Smiles are Contagious | Giovanni Maroki | TEDxKids@ElCajon

When you smile at someone, they smile back...smiles are contagious! 1st grade student at Vista Grande Elementary School This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.

600 Veirs Mill Rd., Rockville, MD 20852

Phone (301) 762-4179

Fax (301) 762-9550

Website

Academics : Kindergarten and First Grade

Saint Mary's School offers a curriculum of academic and enrichment programs at every grade level. Additional teachers are employed to provide academic support as well as to teach Spanish, art, music, physical education, computer technology, and library skills.

Kindergarten and First Grade

The religion curriculum emphasizes God's special love for His children. The foundation for the practice of the Catholic faith is established through simple prayers, Bible stories, songs, attendance at Mass, and daily instruction.

Language arts instruction is centered on the correlation between spoken and written language. The reading readiness program develops phonemic awareness and introduces a basic sight vocabulary. Students read from decodable books and supplemental trade books. Students' writing portfolios are initiated as a cumulative collection of the children's creative work.

Basic skills and concepts in mathematics are developed through the manipulative approach. Number competency, cognitive skills, and problem solving are stressed, encouraging students to become competent problem solvers.

Science instruction begins with basic observation of the children's environment. Students learn about and use their five senses in observations. Simple experiments using the scientific approach help students make informed conclusions.

The social studies program fosters growth in simple geography skills and the awareness of a child's neighborhood and local community. The program stresses the importance of good citizenship and multicultural awareness.

600 Veirs Mill Rd., Rockville, MD 20852

Phone (301) 762-4179

Fax (301) 762-9550

Website