Academics
Pre-School Program
Our Lady of Humility School offers two full day programs for preschool aged children. Both programs offer a three day or five day option, both are taught by professional educators and both have teaching assistants who assist in providing a personalized educational program to meet your child's needs.
Children learn more during the preschool years than at any other time in life! Our Lady of Humility Preschool will help your child embark on a lifetime of learning, in a faith-filled classroom atmosphere.
At OLH, we provide a warm, inviting and safe classroom environment for your child's first school experience. We believe each child is a precious individual whom God has blessed with their own likes, dislikes, interests and abilities. Every moment in the classroom is important ~ for each smile, word of encouragement and kindness given helps shape the life of our students. OLH provides the foundation for your child to develop self-confidence, faith and a positive outlook which they will carry with them throughout their school years. We invite you to learn more about our philosophy, curriculum, class offerings, or to schedule a classroom visit.
​
Our Approach
Our preschool program is conceptually based and fosters curiosity, creativity and social interaction. We believe that a child's intellectual, physical, social, emotional and creative growth is nurtured through play, wonder, and active, meaningful involvement in first-hand experiences.
Preschool learning is about discovering through math and science. It is about developing language skills, social skills and fine motor skills. It's about building confidence and self-esteem. At OLH, we believe all of this, and more, can be learned through purposeful and meaningful play. A child's play is their "work"! We provide both guided and free-play to nurture imagination, initiative and problem-solving. Children need to learn in a way that is meaningful to them. For example, they learn more about an apple by exploring a real apple than they would by looking at a picture of one. Our curriculum utilizes Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) teaching techniques to provide our students with a significant, hands-on learning experience. The DAP approach helps children learn in a more fun, interactive and meaningful way. Our program values the teaching of socialization, cooperation and respect in a living Catholic faith environment.
Program Goals
At OLH we strive to provide experiences and activities that:
​
-
Help children develop their creative thinking skills.
-
Engage children in creative hands-on learning experiences.
-
Create a warm, nurturing environment that fosters a positive self-image.
-
Encourage children to develop social skills which promote positive relationships.
-
Enhance the children's physical development and skills.
-
Share the values and beliefs of our Catholic faith with our children.
Kindergarten - 5th Grade
Our elementary program includes a full day kindergarten program which prepares students for their first grade experience through best practices in instruction and through curriculum alignment with first grade. A full time assistant in kindergarten, first grade and second grade keeps the teacher to student ratio appropriate to ensure all student needs are met.
​
Teachers in kindergarten through fifth grade offer a combination of whole group and small group instruction to create a learning environment that is supportive, nurturing and challenging. They work closely with colleagues to identify and implement best practices in curriculum and are involved in ongoing professional development. Student centered learning expands teaching beyond the textbook. Our curriculum stresses literacy reflected in the emphasis on phonics, reading, and writing in addition to a strong focus on math and science.
​
Students in grades kindergarten through five are assessed using the AIMS WEB fluency and mathematics computation assessments. These very brief assessments are used to differentiate instruction in both Reading and Mathematics. Using a Guided Reading Program, students are placed in flexible groupings commensurate with their demonstrated abilities. Students in grades four and five are assigned to one of two different mathematics classes commensurate with their ability.
​
The Catholic faith is integral to the Our Lady of Humility experience, woven into the fabric of our curriculum and programs. It is the foundation through which we develop teacher to student and student to student relationships.
6th Grade
Sixth grade students enjoy the benefits of a fully departmentalized program of studies. Having honed their study and organizational skills in fifth grade, students are now ready to apply them as they enjoy the benefits of working with six different teachers. Students are encouraged to begin to understand how each teacher has different expectations.
​
In science the students explore the skills of observation, data collection, analysis and critical thinking. These skills are emphasized in labs as well as more traditional classroom study. Topics covered include, but are not limited to, nutrition, earth science, the solar system, ecology and biology. Students enjoy the opportunity to present a topic of interest at the Our Lady of Humility Science Fair.
​
In religion, a strong emphasis is placed on understanding our religious roots. Students learn about the first leaders of Israel and how Catholic rituals are rooted in ancient Jewish traditions. Additionally, students learn how God invites us into his Kingdom, the roots of original sin, and God's infinite capacity for forgiveness.
Building upon their understanding of our religious foundations, students learn about ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, the Indus River Civilization and the early Chinese.
​
Reading for pleasure and purpose continues to be emphasized in the sixth grade. A understanding of the beauty of poetry is developed as well as an understanding of the literary techniques used by poets. Oral and written book reports are assigned on a regular basis with each report representing a different literary genre. Students are expected to read a minimum of 100 pages per week.
​
Mathematically, studies are divided into two distinct classes both of which cover the curricular goals of the Archdiocesan curriculum. The four basic operations are applied to fractions, decimals and percents, rates, ratios, proportional reasoning and geometry.
7th Grade
Seventh Grade students enjoy increased responsibility as the "soon to be student leaders" and are held to a high standard academically. The curriculum diverges as students are separated into academically based groups for mathematics and reading. A rigorous course of studies begins to prepare them for high school.
In 7th grade, students either take a pre-algebra or a 7th grade math class. In pre-algebra, the curriculum exceeds archdiocesan expectations. Students who are placed in this class will take Algebra as 8th graders and be ready for more advanced mathematics courses in high school. Topics include, but are not limited to, solving equations and inequalities, exponents, linear functions, polynomials and non-linear functions, measurement, angle relationships, properties of right triangles, area, volume, percents and probability.
​
In literature, students pursue a course which exposes them to the classics. In reading a minimum of six novels, students hone their understanding of character and plot development, symbolism, figurative language and perspective. In English, an emphasis is placed on writing content and quality. They practice proofreading skills and the conventions of grammar as they formulate original essays.
​
In religion, students read the Gospel of Luke and understand that our faith is both scholastic as well as practical. Scientifically, seventh graders cover a variety of topics while completing labs on a regular basis. The opportunity to design and test the integrity of a balsa wood bridge is a highlight as they participate in the Science Fair.
​
In history, students study the beginnings of our country, the problems faced by the colonists as they prepared for war and the events which led to our country's freedom from Great Britain. Each student is required by the state to pass the Federal Constitution exam in the spring of the year.
​
Seventh grade students have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of extracurricular activities.
8th Grade
In their final year at OLH, students enjoy the freedom which comes from being the "student leaders" of the school. Students assist with the morning announcements, help with various wider school jobs and are trusted with a large degree of responsibility.
​
In religion, an emphasis is placed on morality and evaluating decisions in light of Catholic teaching. An emphasis is also placed on Church history and helping students to understand the foundations of our faith, the challenges which have been overcome and the ever evolving understanding of God's plan for us and creation. While all students study the sacrament of Confirmation, students who are Catholic receive the sacrament in the Spring of the school year.
Mathematically, students in Algebra I study linear, exponential and quadratic functions. An emphasis is placed on representing these functions in multiple ways (equations, graphs, tables and orally). Problem solving is key as students learn to formulate equations from problems in order to solve them accurately. Throughout the course of the year, students concentrate on the following topics: Linear functions, Quadratic Functions, Exponential Functions, Systems of Equations and Inequalities, Polynomials, Factoring, Rational Equations and Functions, Geometry and Data Analysis.
​
In science, students preview many of the topics of study they will investigate in high school including chemistry, physics, biology (dissection) and ecology. Students participate in the school's Science Fair by constructing a race car fueled by carbon dioxide. The highlight of the year takes place when students hold a drag race at the school's Science Fair and determine whose design will take home first prize.
​
In eighth grade, an emphasis is placed on American History. Students are guided to understand the evolving nature of our culture, politics and economy as they work on both mastery of curricular topics and group projects.
​
Eighth grade literature and english continues to be novel based with the goal of exposing students to the classics. Over the course of the year, students will read five novels, write numerous essays and practice their public speaking through oral presentations. With the goal of understanding that authors write to both express beliefs and entertain, students develop their knowledge of author as entertainer and philosopher.