Academics

Academics set the foundation for students as life-long learners.  As such, Academics is one of St. Luke Catholic School’s CASAS, our school-wide learning expectations. At St. Luke Catholic School, students meet an experience of learning that is engaging and meaningful.   

School Structure

• St. Luke Catholic School has one class per grade level.

• The Pre-Kindergarten program is offered five days a week for four-year-olds, and housed in its own building on the school campus.

• Kindergarten is a full day experience.

• The middle school program is departmentalized, with students rotating between four teachers.

• Students in Kindergarten through 5th grade have P.E. every day, while students in 6th through 8th grade have P.E. three days a week, with health two days a week.

Curriculum

• Teachers design interactive curriculum based on standards provided by the Archdiocese of Portland. 

• Students delve into religion, mathematics, English language arts, social studies, science, health, physical education, and art.

• Students engage in social-emotional learning through the Second Step program.

• 2nd graders receive sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion.

• Service experiences are woven into learning at every grade level.

Monitoring Student Learning

• Student learning is assessed in multiple ways, providing a more complete academic profile of each student.  

• St. Luke Catholic School utilizes STAR assessments as a standardized test.  Students complete a 30-minute reading assessment and a 45-minute mathematics assessment online, four times each year.

• Teachers give regular feedback and use classroom assessment data to drive instruction. 

• Letter grades are earned beginning in 3rd grade, and reflect a balance of student mastery and responsibility.  

• The academic calendar is divided into trimesters at St. Luke Catholic School, with report cards posting at the end of each trimester.  However, teachers provide frequent communication on student progress toward learning goals. 

Support

• Teachers implement instructional strategies to meet each learner’s needs, challenging every student to grow.  

• A Title I specialist works on-site four days a week offering needed reading and math support as determined by school assessments.

• Classroom teachers host after-school study hall two days a week.  

• Enrichment opportunities such as math competitions, book clubs, Lego robotics, and middle school electives enhance the St. Luke academic experience.