Curriculum

A maximum student-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 allows Villa Maria to provide a program specifically appropriate to the particular needs of each student. Classes are designed to develop reading, language arts, and math skills. The curriculum also includes science, social studies, art, music/drama, keyboarding, word processing, language development, motor perception, character development, and religious/ethics instruction for all students. The younger students also receive instruction in visual and auditory perception, which is integrated into their curriculum.

The education program is designed to help each child make maximum progress within his/her capabilities to do so. Morning classes include one hour each of reading, language, and mathematics instruction. For these classes students are grouped according to ability and skills and may be grouped with students who are in fact on the next higher or lower grade level.

Afternoon subjects are taught on a track schedule. For all afternoon subjects, students are grouped by actual grade level, maturity, and to some extent similar learning styles and abilities. Curriculum is theme-based and integrated throughout the content areas. The integration of gross and fine motor skills is cultivated in order to establish proficiency in directionality, laterality, tactile discrimination, time orientation, spatial relations, balance, rhythm, and response to verbal commands.

Special emphasis is given to students’ emotional and social growth. A formal guidance and social development program, in conjunction with a Student Council, is incorporated into the curriculum to provide opportunities for developing citizenship, leadership, responsibility, and moral standards of behavior.

Physical education classes are scheduled a minimum of two periods per track cycle for all students. The students are expected to have clean, appropriate, gym clothes, and sneakers for these classes. Students are given time to change into their gym clothes after lunch and recess on each gym day and may wear gym clothes home on those days. Parents must check their child’s schedule and be sure to return the gym clothes on tracks that gym is scheduled.

Since all children are expected to participate in this area of the curriculum, a written note from a parent is necessary for a child to be excused. In case of a long period of refraining from physical education classes, a doctor’s authorization is requested.