Academic/Religious Programs:

The success of Holy Spirit's curriculum is evident in the results of Stanford Standardized Achievement Tests. Our students not only achieved scores much higher than the national average, they scored consistently higher than the average scores of other Catholic school students in the city.

Curriculum Planning

The faculty and administration develop and follow yearly outlines that incorporate the Archdiocese Curriculum Guides and required state guidelines to insure that the school maintains an effective, excellent curriculum. To better equip the children for the challenges they will face in this ever-changing society, the school-wide Campus Implementation Plan incorporates critical thinking, writing, math computation, English grammar, spirituality, peace-making skills and family values into the curriculum. Faculty subject coordinators in math, science, religion, social studies and language arts, as well as separate level coordinators for the primary, elementary and middle school levels, oversee and coordinate all educational and extracurricular activities.

Religious Instruction

Religious instruction is developed around the four pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church: Creed (What We Believe), Sacrament (How We Celebrate), Christian Living (How We Live), and Prayer (How We Pray). Faith instruction is intended to build on itself. The learner is guided through a faith formation journey in which the family and the entire parish community is engaged. Holy Spirit Catholic School is blessed with the elements needed to create a Catholic environment in which the students can grow spiritually. At the foundation is a faculty comprised of devoted Christian teachers who are dedicated to proclaiming Jesus’ message. A religion coordinator works with the Catholic Schools Office and the Archdiocesan Catechetical Office to provide curriculum guidance and supplementary materials to the classroom teachers. The priests of Holy Spirit Catholic Church and the teachers help proclaim the gospel message, encourage participation in the development of community, lead others to worship and prayer, and motivate and enable students to serve others. The Catholic education program consists of:

• Daily religious instruction and daily prayer
• Weekly and Holy Day liturgies
• Preparation for the sacraments of First Communion and Reconciliation
• Service ProjectsIntegration of Catholic teachings into all content areas

The student body demonstrates its commitment to the local, national, and world community through numerous service projects. Organizations receiving assistance include the San Antonio Mission Ministries (SAMM), Native American Missions, Mexico Mission Fund, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Seton Home and the Ronald McDonald House.

Language Arts

The language arts program focuses on the balanced and comprehensive approach to reading instruction, recognizing the importance of phonemic awareness, letter-sound instruction, word recognition and comprehension and exposing children to a wide and rich range of literature. Integrating writing across the curriculum and opportunities for oral communication also are key aspects of the program. Writing that reflects competence in language skills is expected of all students in every subject area; students must read, research and report on topics in science, social studies, religion and math.

To identify goals and outcomes, all teachers adhere to the Archdiocesan Language Arts curriculum guide, which is based on the TEKS. A variety of unique teaching styles is utilized to reach students through each of the multiple intelligences approaches to learning and includes enrichment and remedial activities matching the age and developmental style of the student. The language arts teacher challenge students to express their learning in ways that require the use of multiple intelligences, a variety of learning styles, higher order thinking and problem-solving skills, creativity, and decision making. The teachers use the school's technology applications to achieve this goal. Recent access to the Internet allows students to gather information for written reports or to supplement literature presented in the classroom in addition to using word processing and multimedia presentations. In addition, beginning in the second grade, English and reading/literature are taught as separate subjects, the focus in the English classes being on parts of speech, grammar usage, and writing. To encourage "readers for life," Holy Spirit has a required summer reading program for all grades.

Math

The goal of the math curriculum is to prepare the students to demonstrate the ability to think, reason, and apply math concepts to real world situations. They learn to communicate math ideas such as time (orally and in writing), display math reasoning, and demonstrate an understanding of whole numbers and computations. The emphasis is on higher level thinking skills, integrating technology and math into life situations. Instruction time is divided between large group instruction and activities with "hands-on" manipulatives. Math instruction utilizes manipulatives for understanding number sense, encourages successful use of problem solving strategies, and strengthens mental math skills. Middle school students are evaluated and reviewed for placement in the honors math program. These students work one grade level ahead of the regular math students, completing Algebra I in their eighth grade year.

Science

Science education at Holy Spirit is an integrated study of the natural, physical and biological sciences. At all grade levels, the study of science includes planning and conducting field and laboratory investigations using scientific methods, analyzing data, critical thinking, scientific problem solving, and utilizing tools to collect and analyze information. Teachers use a wide range of instructional methods and strategies to implement the overall program. Emphasis is placed on laboratory experience and problem solving (i.e. centers, classroom demonstrations, and actual in-laboratory experiments).

Students in grades 6, 7, and 8 are evaluated and reviewed for placement in the honors science program. These students wok one grade level ahead of regular science curriculum, culminating in the study of Physical Science, an integrated program of the study of physics and chemistry. Each student has the opportunity to demonstrate their scientific skills in a variety of ways that extend the curriculum. The students participate in the school's Creativity Fair, the Alamo Area Regional Science Fair, and the Junior Academy.

Social Studies

Social Studies at Holy Spirit focuses on the development of morally responsible citizens with an understanding and appreciation of all cultures, their heritage, and their role in their communities. A developmental approach is employed in the teaching of the Social Studies curriculum. K5 students are introduced to the concept of community. This theme is expanded through the third grade. Instruction includes state and national heritage, families' and individuals' roles in society, family customs and traditions, local government functions and services, and the purpose of laws and rules. In grades 2-5, the focus is on Texas and American history from past to present. Middle school studies ancient civilizations, historical world events, current societies, Texas history and state government, and American history and national government.

Spanish

The entire student body is enriched by a Spanish curriculum. Spanish enrichment and language classes are offered in grades 4K through 5; a Spanish class is offered to sixth grade students; a Spanish elective is offered to seventh and eighth grade students. The objectives of this program are to introduce, develop, and reinforce proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, writing and culture acquisition of the Spanish language.

Computer Education

Technology is accessible to all grade levels. Young students use"games" to teach higher order thinking skills and feel at home with the computer. By the end of third grade, students are keyboard proficient. The school believes using industry standard software will better prepare the students for more difficult programs later. The fifth graders use HyperStudio to create multimedia products. The sixth graders incorporate life skills with computer application skills by creating cities and businesses in a nine week computer course. This project incorporates math, English, economics, ethics, and imagination in an integrated lesson. The seventh and eighth graders create computer games using the LOGO programming language during their required semester elective. They also program robots. The 2000-2001 school year marks the first time that the students have access to the Internet. This will further enhance their ability to think through problems in a critical manner while at the same time opening their eyes to the marvelous wealth of information available at their fingertips. Major science projects and the research paper allow for instruction in the use of the Internet and word processing skills. The Inet Library is used as a key research tool. The journalism class uses Print Shop to create the school newspaper and a specialized program for the yearbook.

Library

All students have an opportunity to use the library every week. The 4K through third grades visit twice a week for thirty minutes each time. The fourth and fifth grades visit once a week for forty-five minutes. Middle school students visit the library regularly through their Language Arts classes. Open scheduling is available at various times throughout the week ti encourage additional library usage by the students for study and research. Additional library time is available before and after school. Library usage and Internet research skills are taught in the library and are considered a part of the language arts curriculum, allowing for optimum library literacy.

Fine Arts

The fine arts curriculum is multi-faceted--bringing visual, musical, and performing arts to students. The visual arts are taught on a bi-weekly basis in K5 through fifth grade. A required 9-week elective course is part of the sixth grade curriculum, and a semester elective fine arts course is available to seventh and eighth graders. Musical instruction is part of the curriculum for grades K4 through fifth. Elements of music education including melody, rhythm, pitch, tone, and beat are taught developmentally. Integrated into musical instruction are the performing arts./ Students may participate in performances where they dress up in costumes, sing, perform hand motions, and play instruments. Drama units and classroom skits introduce students to the fundamentals of theatrical performances, while the eighth grade play involves the students in all aspects of production.