Academics

At Saint Paul Catholic Classical School, our Catholic classical philosophy and curriculum place Christ at the center of all study as the Logos. The elementary students receive a firm academic foundation rooted in a classical curriculum. SPCCS guides students along the Trivium, three-fold path of the classical curriculum of education. The Trivium consists of the three Liberal Arts:Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric, which are the focal points of education for children during the Primary, Middle School, and High School years. Study habits are practiced daily and developed for students to be successful in their learning especially as they progress through their academic journey. Students are encouraged to discuss their studies, and share their thoughts to engage them in their learning.  Parents are encouraged to participate in conversations with their students to further their understanding of their child's education as we believe parents are the primary educators in their child's life. 

Religion
While students at SPCCS receive religious instruction daily, we believe that our faith is permeated in all that we do and all that we are. Therefore, we see our faith in all our areas of study whether through salvation history itself, the use of Latin in the church, or the virtues exhibited by literary characters. As Catholics, we believe that the Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith and it is important that our students Mass as much as possible. Students attend weekly mass and on special feast days. Adoration is offered most Fridays and the opportunity to attend with the parish every Wednesday.  Students are catechized to know the Mass, their prayers, Holy Scripture, moral theology, church history—in short, the Holy Catholic Faith. As a means to assist in the instruction of the faith, SPCCS utilizes the Faith and Life Series by Ignatius Press and students are required to know the Baltimore Catechism.

Literature, Reading, Phonics, Spelling
SPCCS focuses on the classics in the selections for reading. Novels, short stories, and poems are all carefully selected to ensure God's truth, beauty, and goodness are communicated to our students. These same selections demonstrate virtues and morals consistent with our Catholic faith we desire our students to live out daily. Poetry and prayer memorization and daily recitations are key components of our English program along with the incorporations of fairy tales and fables. The elementary grades use Sadlier Reading and Phonics with poetry and reading selections by their homeroom teachers. Beginning in 2023-2024 (the final year of our classical renewal), the elementary grades will use The Riggs Institute for Spelling, Phonics, and Reading. Click here for the reading list utilized by our SPCCS teachers. Please note this is not an exhaustive list. In middle school, literature, history, and religion are integrated. Novel studies are directly chosen based on the areas of study in history and all are studied in correlation to salvation history. 

Mathematics
SPCCS utilizes Dimensions Singapore Math for all grade levels (Kindergarten - 8th Grade) with all students completing Algebra I at the conclusion of their SPCCS journey while some students may receive geometry instruction. Singapore Math promotes true mastery of mathematical concepts and a deep understanding of real-world applications. The Honors Math program utilizes a variety of resources and pushed the students in their critical thinking skills and applications. Honors Math is offered in 7th and 8th grades. 

History
The study of History gives students an insight into the lives of human beings over the centuries. They are able to use what they have learned to become their best selves and see examples of virtues and qualities identified in leaders and people throughout time along with the ideals, causes, events, and ideas that man has participated in.  A focus on Western world history is utilized at SPCCS and Geography is included in these studies. These studies allow students to think through the challenges of the present because they have an education that is so insistent on the importance of the past. Following the classical philosophy with our Catholic faith at the heart, students study Ancient Israel, Greek, Roman, and Medieval history. 
Kindergarten: Ancient Egyptian and Phoenicians. Curriculum resources include Memoria Press for the lower grades, the Catholic Textbook Project, and other nonfiction literature sources.

Kindergarten: Ancient Egypt
1st Grade: Ancient Greece
2nd Grade: Ancient Rome
3rd Grade: Medival History
4th Grade: Texas History and the Age of Christendom
5th Grade: United States and Modern History
6th Grade: Western and Ancient Civilizations
7th Grade: Texas History, Medival, and Christendom History
8th Grade: United States and Modern History

Science
The study of science at SPCCS is to help our students think scientifically. In the lower grades, students are exposed to nature studies where they discover hands-on the identification and parts of the various plants and animals. This leads to the questioning and further study of its habitat and living processes. Because we believe that students learn about nature in nature, the use of the Learning Garden is an important component of this course of study as students are encouraged and taught nature journaling. In middle school, students study science with the use of the learning garden, science lab, and experiments while using the scientific method, and the Novare Textbook resources.

The Pines Environmental Education Camp
Each year, 5th-grade students and their teachers participate in the Pines Environmental Education Camp. The Environmental Education Camp is a four-day, three-night program designed specifically for upper elementary students to experience hands-on activities in nature covering the principles of science, math, language, and history. The Pines Camp is also designed to enrich and enhance the current classroom curriculum through teaching in an outdoor classroom setting. This experiential education program is designed for upper elementary students to have hands-on activities in nature. Activity areas include forestry, archaeology, limnology (freshwater ecology), meteorology (weather), entomology (insects), and orienteering (way-finding). Students have the opportunity to experience the ropes course as well as participate in spiritual-enriching activities.

Latin
Students study Latin beginning in PK3 and is a time-honored tradition. While the study of Latin is an integral part of the classical curriculum, it also has a proven track record that when studied, students score 12%to 15% high on standardized tests such as the SAT. The lower grades focus on developing vocabulary as well as the recitation of prayers in Latin. Older students continue to develop vocabulary while learning grammar, conversational Latin, its influence and application in the Catholic church, and recitation of prayers. Because Latin is the mother tongue of so many European languages, it is an excellent introduction to all the Romance languages, making it relatively easy for our students to master Spanish, French, Portuguese, etc.


Specials Classes
Art
All students receive instruction in art as we continue to expose students to the beauty that God created. Students will participate in a variety of mediums and projects from drawing, painting, and sculpting. Cross-curricular integration is prioritized in the art room to further the understanding of the student's learning in the core classes as well as alternative means to express their learning. A focus on classical art and history permit students to see God's beauty and see the finer things and appreciate the excellence they embody. 

Music
At SPCCS, Music is a focus of study to bring God's beauty and goodness to the forefront. Instruction is primarily a choral study with the expectation that the angelic voices of our students sing God's praises. Music should be a part of all our students' lives. As the music program continues to evolve, there is an expectation for 6th-8th grade students to participate in the choir at weekly Mass. The Schola Cantorum meets on Friday afterschool as a specialty choir.
Music instruction is primarily through the vocal instruction of the Ward Method with time for instrument and music history. The Ward Method was developed to teach American Catholic school children the fundamentals of Music so that they would be able to sing the vast repertoire of Sacred Music which is a part of the Roman Catholic Church’s hymnic tradition. This method has a basis in Gregorian Chant. 
Students may participate in the Saint Paul Catholic Classical School Band offered through Music Learning Band. This after-school program offers instruction in various band instruments and opportunities for concerts and competitions.

Physical Education
Physical education is an important part of educating the whole child and promoting the development of healthy habits of daily activities and virtues through gameplay. Physical Education introduces our students to the value of sports and provides for character formation. Students attend three days a week. 

Technology
While SPCCS embraces the classical philosophy which encourages the practice of reading and dialogue while limiting the use of technology, SPCCS recognizes the need for students to possess a basic understanding of computer applications and keyboarding. Students attend technology classes in the computer lab once a week where lessons build upon each other and the skills learned. The Blessed Carlo Actuis Technology Club allows for the exploration of coding and robotics. Amidst all these lessons on technology skills, students find the Catholic faith permeates the activities and lessons further a deeper love for Christ.