Curriculum & Extra Curricular

St. Joan of Arc Catholic School strives to promote a successful learning environment, which meets the needs of all students at their level as well as learning style. The St. Joan of Arc administration and faculty work to ensure that our curriculum is both vertically and horizontally aligned according to the Louisiana State Standards. The use of continued assessment, data review, and scheduled Professional Learning Communities among administration and faculty serves as a guide in revising areas of the curriculum when needed.

PS2 through second grade utilizes a self-contained classroom model with one teacher providing the majority of the instruction each day. Third through seventh grade are departmentalized which allows teachers to focus on certain subject areas and provides students the opportunity to experience various teaching methods throughout the day. In an effort to meet the needs of all learners and to actively engage students, St. Joan of Arc is focusing on the practice of differentiated instruction within all classrooms. Research suggests that students who are actively engaged, work on topics of interest to them, and are being challenged at their level experience higher levels success.

Researchers at the National Center on Accessing the General Curriculum define differentiated instruction as: a process to approach teaching and learning for students of differing abilities in the same class. The intent is to maximize each student's growth and individual success by meeting each student where he or she is rather than expecting students to modify themselves for the curriculum. (Hall, 2002)

Differentiated instruction looks like this:

• having expectations for all students
• assigning activities to meet the learning styles, interest, and level of thinking of the student
• allowing the opportunity for student choice when reasonable
• providing assessments to determine the growth or needs of a student

Differentiated instruction does NOT look like this:

• individual lesson plans for each student
• learning on your own
• used for every assignment nor selection of materials every day
• assigning students the same groups each time; groups will differ from lesson to lesson according to learning styles, interest, and level of thinking

The administration and faculty are dedicated to helping our students  find the tools and techniques that will help them to achieve success. Your child will be challenged, but it our ultimate goal that these initiatives provide a spark for your child to develop a love of learning by meeting his needs and encouraging him or her to never stop trying.

For special needs students:

• Speech therapist on campus
• Title I
• Minor adjustment plans

For all students:

• Differentiated instruction
• Positive discipline program
• Accelerated Reader program
• IXL program for math and English/language arts

Because technology is vital in today's society, computers and tech-based learning is important at SJA for reinforcing language arts, math, science, and other core subjects. Computers are in all of our classrooms, while student homework and grades are securely accessible online. Additionally, our technology across the curriculum includes:

• Mac computer lab
• iPad minis in preschool through 2nd grade
• Google Chromebooks in 3rd-7th grade
• Interactive whiteboards in all grade level classrooms
• Training in popular software programs and Google applications
• 3D printer for use in student projects
• Circuit kits, coding software, and robotics kits in computer lab
• Online access to school library

As Part of its mission to educate the whole person, SJA prides itself on the extensive extracurricular activities available to our students. These offerings allow each child to explore his or her God-given talents and abilities in a convenient on-campus setting.

ART                                                                          ACADEMICS
Art Contests                                                              Quiz Bowl
Choir                                                                         Writing Contests
Young Rembrandts Drawing Class                           Coding Club

SPIRITUALITY                                                       SPORTS
Altar Service                                                              Baseball
Mission Club                                                             Basketball
Pro-Life Advocacy                                                    Cheerleading
                                                                                  Cross Country
ACADEMICS                                                           Flag Football
Quiz Bowl                                                                 Soccer
Writing Contests                                                       Swim Team
                                                                                  Volleyball
COMMUNITY SERVICE
4-H
Student Council
Service Learning Projects