Curriculum

The students of St. Ann School are offered a well-rounded curriculum, including an accelerated Math program. In addition to religion and all major subjects, the students have regular classes in music, library science, physical education, health, Spanish and computer science.

  • Academic Education

    The students of St. Ann School are offered a well-rounded curriculum. In addition to religion, language arts, math, science and social studies, the students have regularly scheduled enrichment classes in music, library science, physical education, health, Spanish and computer science. State standards and benchmarks guide the curriculum. Technology is integrated into all areas of the curriculum offering students the latest equipment to enhance instruction and to encourage learning in order to compete in the age of information technology. Interactive websites are used to enhance student engagement and learning. St. Ann School's expectation for student learning is for all students to master grade level expectations and surpass them to reach their highest academic potential.

  • Religious Education

    Religious training is of the utmost importance and forms an integral part of school life.  All students attend daily religion classes which provide the foundation of the dogma and doctrine necessary for a clear understanding of Roman Catholic living.


    The student body has the opportunity to celebrate both Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist on a regular basis. Liturgical celebrations are also scheduled for major feast days (Holy Days of Obligation). Students in grades K – 7 attend Mass weekly. 


    Every effort is made to guide students in living their Catholic commitment daily in all they do. Parents are asked to cooperate, especially through an example of their own Catholic living, in the circumstances of each day and in their faithful observance of their Sunday Mass obligation.  It is of vital importance that parents' examples do not confuse the children.  Both family and school must give the same message to our children -- that we know, love, and serve the Lord, obeying the laws and commands He has given us.


    • To provide, in cooperation with the family, a secure, Christ-like environment in the development  of the whole person;
    • To afford the opportunity for the children to learn and appreciate the truths of the Catholic faith that they may understand and live its content, purpose and expectations;
    • To lead the students to an active participation in the faith community in their lives.
    • To assist all students in achieving academic competence in accordance with the State of Louisiana which will render them capable of living in society as a responsible citizen;
    • To provide programs that will allow ample opportunity for the development of special talents and interests that further enhance each child's potential, as well as provide fruitful and rewarding leisure time activities;
    • To create an understanding and appreciation of one's own country, together with a broad world view;
    • To prepare the student to continue his/her education through high school and beyond.

    St. Ann School has selected the following series: We Believe, William H. Sadlier, Inc. textbook series for grades PK4-7th and Theology of the Body, for grade 6th grade.  This program is child-focused and engages children in grasping the mystery of faith. Based in the teachings of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the series presents the principles of faith in an interesting and inviting format. It is also family-focused in that it includes family-friendly activities and on-line resources.  For more information concerning the series, please visit their website https://religion.sadlierconnect.com/wbcid/webelieveweb.com.

  • Language Arts Program

    In our prekindergarten programs, our teachers use a whole language multi-sensory approach when working with their students. Children’s literature comes alive as teachers incorporate music, dramatic play, games, and art into their lessons. Phonemic awareness and phonics skills are developed as the students participate in a wide variety of guided activities. Vocabulary and comprehension skills are enhanced through “show and tell”, listening activities, and sharing time.


    Our kindergarten teachers have created a unique program for our students. Phonemic awareness, the precursor to phonics, is developed through a variety of activities. Students learn to spell words that follow basic phonetic patterns for short vowels.  McGraw Hill’s Wonders series serves as a basis for the kindergarten reading program. Phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension are further developed through supplemental materials and teacher created activities.


    Our first through fourth graders use the McGraw Hill’s Wonders reading program as their basal reader. As basic reading skills are developed, teachers cultivate their students’ critical thinking and reasoning skills by extending the program’s lessons.  Students respond to their readings by participating in writing and group activities. In addition to the McGraw Hill’s Wonders program for language arts, our teachers also use the Sopris West Step Up to Writing Program.  Teachers supplement the reading curriculum with books and outside readings.  The staff at St. Ann School has worked diligently to merge all strategies into an effective, multi-sensory, systematic approach to improving writing, reading, listening and speaking skills.


    The language arts program for 5th-7th grade includes: Sadlier’s Vocabulary Workshop, Prentice Hall literature series, Glencoe’s language program, novel studies, and Sopris West Step Up to Writing program.  Once again, we have found the best programs and merged them into a cohesive unit that develops our students’ critical thinking skills. Our students learn to read, evaluate and synthesize information so that they can respond to a wide range of materials in an intelligent, informed manner.


    Students in grades 3-7 participate in a rigorous writing curriculum. Teachers have mapped out a sequential process for writing essays that include introductory and concluding paragraphs. Three times during the year 3rd-7th graders participate in the writing process of these essays.


    In addition to classroom instruction, students in third through seventh grade participate in the Reading Counts program in the school library. The program is designed to help foster a love of reading while allowing students to check for accuracy through computerized Reading Counts quizzes.

  • Math

    The goal of our math program is to help students understand the relationship between mathematics learned in school and real-life situations by providing meaningful learning experiences aligned with state standards and benchmarks. The layering of the math strands: number and number relations, algebra, measurement, geometry, data analysis, probability and discrete math, patterns relations and functions moves from the concrete to the conceptual. Age appropriate activities guide students’ development of math concepts as the content becomes increasingly abstract.


    Number and number operations and geometry are the core of the math program in prekindergarten - K programs. In first and 2nd grade measurement is included as an additional focus area. Students use math manipulatives to help develop the idea that representations are interchangeable.  Students gain an understanding of measurement, data, and patterns while working with numbers. Critical thinking skills develop as students investigate math concepts through problem solving, reasoning, connections, and communication. Fundamental ideas of algebra are introduced, developed and extended as students participate in math activities.  Kindergarten students through fifth grade students use the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt math program and supplemental materials to develop these concepts. In first grade an additional multisensory program, Touch Math, bridges manipulation and memorization allowing for fluency.


    Three crucial math themes: multiplicative thinking, equivalence, and computational fluency are emphasized in third and fourth grade.  These themes fortify two major math objectives: making sense of math ideas and acquiring the skills and understanding needed to solve problems.  Our students recall basic math facts fluently so that they can focus on higher order thinking skills. “Cognitive psychologists have discovered that humans have fixed limits on the attention and memory that can be used to solve problems. One way around these limits is to have certain components of a task become so routine and over-learned that they become automatic.” (Whitehurst, 2003).  Students demonstrate their understanding of math patterns, relations and functions by describing, extending and making generalizations about geometric and numeric patterns. Critical analysis of patterns and functions using words, tables and graphs is further developed.


    As middle school students move through the curriculum, they are challenged with a balanced math program that includes a significant amount of algebra and geometry. Middle school students are provided with problem solving experiences in which critical thinking skills continue to develop. They learn to generate various strategies for solving problems, to analyze variable quantities, and to apply algebraic methods to real- life situations. Teachers use the Holt math series as well as a variety of supplemental materials. The math program is accelerated. Beginning in fifth grade, all students are in a math textbook one year above their grade level. The mathematical content presented helps prepare our students to enter substantive high school courses.



  • Science

    The students at St. Ann School gain an understanding of the natural world as they actively engage in scientific inquiry.  Students are taught to ask questions, research, hypothesize, experiment and observe as they analyze results and draw conclusions. All grade levels incorporate the scientific method in their studies of life, earth and physical science. Teachers use tools such as lab equipment, the McGraw Hill and Glencoe series, video streaming, and internet web sites to enhance science curriculum. As students learn science content, process skills are continually developed. Two fully equipped science labs make it exciting for students to participate in scientific investigations. Third through seventh grade students are encouraged to participate in the Learning Fair engaging in activities that exhibit their understanding of the scientific method.

  • Social Studies

    Our social studies program allows students to explore the world we live in and examine cause and effect relationships that have impacted history and continue to impact the world today.  Students learn geography, civics, economics and history using such valuable tools as: Harcourt and Glencoe textbook series, Scholastic News, Discovery Education, BrainPop, Starfall, iPads, and the media center.  Programs, field trips and guest speakers further develop our students’ appreciation of our past and the present. Our program’s goal is to mold responsible, well informed citizens who possess moral integrity and who will contribute to society in a positive way.

  • Assessment

    The faculty at St. Ann School understands that evaluating a program using assessments is only as good as the assessment. For this reason, teachers are continually revising and fine tuning the assessments they are using to determine a child’s progress and to meet each child’s individual needs. Our staff is dedicated in providing a variety of assessments that are authentic, valid, and reliable. An assessment evaluation tool was created to help teachers analyze the assessments they are using with the students.


    Using the information from a variety of formative assessments, the child’s teachers and mentors are able to gain an understanding and appreciation of each child’s unique approach to learning as well as how the child interacts with adults and peers. The students’ performance on these assessments allows teachers to reflect on teaching methods and determine next steps in developing the students’ skills and conceptual understanding. Summative assessments include ACT Aspire testing for our 3rd through 6th grade students.   All assessments are analyzed and used to make decisions that will allow us to challenge our students based on their current academic needs.  Curriculum changes are put into effect and monitored based on feedback from stakeholders and student performance on all assessments.


    Standardized test scores continue to be above the national average in all grades and in all subjects.  Approximately 65% of our 7th grade students score at the 95%  on various sections of the 5th and/ or 6th grade ACT Aspire test and qualify to participate in the Duke University Talent Search each year.

  • Enrichment Classes

    All students participate in enrichment classes such as health, music, computer, library, Spanish, and PE. Beginning with our two year olds, enrichment classes help our younger students explore the world of music, movement, and the arts. Every third grade student learns to play a musical instrument. Beginning in fourth grade, students may join the school band. During library and computer, Middle School students utilize these enrichment classes to complete assignments across the curriculum to meet the technological demands of high school.


    In addition to enrichment classes, outreach programs such as the Louisiana Children’s Museum Star Lab, the Audubon Institute and Diamond Del’s Mobile Mine supplement the curriculum. Students participate in engaging lessons as historians such as Frank Levy guide students through interactive performances of the Battle of New Orleans and Greek myths. Local authors, musicians and artists visit the students each year enriching our students’ learning experiences.

  • Technology

    Technology infiltrates the entire school. St. Ann School remains committed to our continued growth in the use of technology from classroom instruction to communication with parents concerning their child’s grades, attendance, and assignments.  Our use of technology also makes it easier for parents to register online, make payments for registration, tuition, cafeteria and daycare fees.


    St. Ann School remains committed to the continued need for remaining current as technological advances change our world.  Putting these technology tools in the hands of our students better prepares them for the world they live in. Our initiative to place iPads in all of our students’ hands has been launched. Currently all middle school students have their own iPad and use them during lessons.  PK2 through 4th grade teachers incorporate iPads for students to use during guided lessons and learning centers. 

  • Clubs

    St. Ann School offers a large variety of clubs (Art Club, Chess Club, Builder’s Club, Beta Club, Junior Service Club, Lego Club, St. Joseph’s Club, St. Mary’s Club, Student Ministry, Science Club, Spanish Club, Technology Club), sports (flag football, volleyball, basketball, cabbage ball, Metro sports- baseball, bowling, tennis, cross country, soccer), and activities (Quiz Bowl, Student Councils, Patrols, Band, Junior CYO, Cheerleading).  These activities provide leadership opportunities, empower students, and build their self-esteem.

Technology

St. Ann Catholic School remains dedicated to our continued growth in the use of technology as a valuable tool for classroom instruction, security and safety for our students, and communication with parents.

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Early Childhood Program

2, 3 and 4 Year Old

Develop knowledge and love of God and the St. Ann motto: "God Sees Me and God Loves Me".

Develop independence and self discipline.

Strengthen his/her ability to deal effectively with his/her world in a polite and orderly manner.

Foster a sense of true self-worth, creativity, and a desire to learn.

Encourage family cooperation and participation.

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Activity Classes

  • 1. Computer

    Computer instruction at St. Ann School offers our students exposure to a variety of academic based software programs that support our curriculum. Beginning in Early Childhood a systematic progression of skills allows students to participate in multimedia assignments.

  • 2. Physical Education

    Our Physical Education program is designed to improve motor skills, encourage physical fitness, build self-esteem and foster a spirit of cooperation, teamwork and sportsmanship.

  • 3. Music and Band

    The St. Ann School Music and Band program serves all students in vocal and instrumental music. Through singing, listening, moving, creating, researching and reading music, students develop and refine their skills in the music concepts of duration, pitch, tone color, expression, design and cultural context.

  • 4. Library Science

    St. Ann School Library offers a leveled age-appropriate program which focuses on various library and technology skills, literature, bibliographic citations, and document preparation.

  • 5. Foreign Language

    Grades K-7 are introduced to the culture and language of the Spanish speaking world. Classroom strategies and activities in our foreign language department focus on vocabulary, dialect, conversation, real-world applications and prayer which promotes our Catholic Identity.

  • 6. Health

    Middle School students are introduced to various components of a healthy life style. Topics including bullying, physical fitness & nutrition, personal safety & first aid, alcohol & tobacco, and consumer & environmental health prepare students for healthy life choices.

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St. Ann School Library

St. Ann School uses the Scholastic Reading Counts program in the library beginning in 3rd grade. Reading Counts is a computer-based program designed to inspire independent reading on an individual basis. There are two parts to the program.

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