Kindergarten - Eighth Grade Curriculum

The faculty at St. Leonard strive to provide each student with well-rounded and individualized educational opportunities, while embodying the faith values that make up the core of our school. Our teachers recognize that each student is a unique human being and are committed to educating the whole child. Our curriculum Benchmarks in English, reading, math and science are aligned to the Illinois Learning Standards, Common Core State Standards, ACT's College Readiness Standards, and the Next Generation Science Standards. Teachers use creative, integrative, interdisciplinary approaches to provide students with authentic and meaningful educational experiences. 
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Beginning in preschool and extending through eighth grade, we emphasize cooperative learning, which allows students to use their individual gifts to work together to accomplish goals, think critically, and solve problems. St. Leonard is dedicated to utilizing research-based instructional approaches and differentiated instruction in order to meet the needs of individual learners.  
 
Language Arts
The language arts curriculum is a balanced literacy program and develops reading, writing, phonics, spelling, vocabulary, listening, and speaking skills. Teachers in Kindergarten through fifth grade follow the Journeys reading program which is supplemented with i-Ready.  The Journeys  curriculum is a comprehensive K-6 English language arts program. It provides an instructional system for reading both literature and informational texts, for acquiring foundational skills, and for developing mastery of speaking, listening and writing.  i-Ready is a tool for delivering differentiated instruction. It combines an adaptive universal screener and growth measure that helps teachers personalize instruction for every child. 
  
Math
The math curriculum at St. Leonard School builds a solid foundation in number concepts and focuses on equipping students with multiple strategies and tools necessary to become problem solvers and critical thinkers. Meaningful, hands-on activities and group projects allow students to make ties to their own lives and the outside world, and ensure a complete understanding of concepts, rather than just processes. St. Leonard students follow the GoMath! curriculum and incorporate supplemental aides such as IXL Learning, and i-Ready Math.   

Social Studies
The Social Studies curriculum progresses at developmentally appropriate stages, beginning with students exploring their place in the community and continuing through the world. Teachers complement traditional instruction with inquiry based instruction, which is a student-led and teacher-guided instructional method that engages students in investigating issues that are relevant to their lives and relate to real world issues.

Religion
​The Office of Catholic Schools is in the process of rolling out new, revised religion curriculum priority standards for Catholic school students in Pre-K through Grade 8. The religion curriculum priority standards are aligned to Renew My Church imperatives by emphasizing the role of Catholic schools in making disciples, building communities, and inspiring witness as they accompany students in their faith journey.  A focus on encountering Christ in oneself and others through study, service, and prayer is key. (Stay tuned to the OCS website in the coming months as we anticipate a more public sharing of new religion standards for the upcoming school year).

Why ACT ASPIRE?

The ACT College Readiness Benchmarks helps schools identify the level of  academic achievement needed for a student to be college ready. 

Students begin participating in the  ACT Aspire test in third grade – the beginning of their educational journey toward the ACT College Readiness Benchmarks.   

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