St. Joseph School, Springfield,
Illinois
by Ruth A. Matheny
Today's Catholic Teacher, August/September
2005
Blessed with an
administration and school board determined to provide
the best education for all students, St. Joseph has
developed an accelerated classes program for grades six
through eight.
With the current emphasis on leaving no child behind, high achievers are often not challenged to live up to their potential. At St. Joseph School in Springfield, IL, both teachers and parents were concerned that unchallenged students might just settle for the normal concern supported by research. Blessed with an administration and school board determined to provide the best education for all students, St. Joseph has developed an accelerated classes program for grades six through eight. Last term 24 students, 37 percent of the junior high, were in the accelerated classes.
Students are selected according to criteria that include standardized test scores, academic grades, effort, teacher recommendations, and parent approval. They must have not only the ability but the desire to go beyond standard classroom assignments. Those selected participate in alternative assignments that incorporate the multiple intelligences.
First implemented in the fall of 2002, the program focuses on the language arts, including literature, composition, and grammar. Students come to the accelerated classroom during their regularly scheduled language arts classes. They meet daily by grade level for a total of 90 minutes. They read novels that require a broader vocabulary and a more complex level of thinking. Class discussion is encouraged. Students keep writing portfolios which reflect their growth as writers. They develop critical thinking skills, a significant ability in an active learner.
Students have responded favorably to the challenge, reports Principal Jennifer Burke. They enjoy the small classes, the variety of interesting reading materials, and even learning to diagram sentences!
With the current emphasis on leaving no child behind, high achievers are often not challenged to live up to their potential. At St. Joseph School in Springfield, IL, both teachers and parents were concerned that unchallenged students might just settle for the normal concern supported by research. Blessed with an administration and school board determined to provide the best education for all students, St. Joseph has developed an accelerated classes program for grades six through eight. Last term 24 students, 37 percent of the junior high, were in the accelerated classes.
Students are selected according to criteria that include standardized test scores, academic grades, effort, teacher recommendations, and parent approval. They must have not only the ability but the desire to go beyond standard classroom assignments. Those selected participate in alternative assignments that incorporate the multiple intelligences.
First implemented in the fall of 2002, the program focuses on the language arts, including literature, composition, and grammar. Students come to the accelerated classroom during their regularly scheduled language arts classes. They meet daily by grade level for a total of 90 minutes. They read novels that require a broader vocabulary and a more complex level of thinking. Class discussion is encouraged. Students keep writing portfolios which reflect their growth as writers. They develop critical thinking skills, a significant ability in an active learner.
Students have responded favorably to the challenge, reports Principal Jennifer Burke. They enjoy the small classes, the variety of interesting reading materials, and even learning to diagram sentences!
Says Carol Squires,
sixth-grade teacher, "The accelerated classes enhance
students' critical-thinking skills and problem-solving
skills."
And the skills they develop serve them well as they continue their learning in high school The first two groups in the program scored well on their high school placement exams, and students were placed into honors programs their first and second years of high school. They found that many of the novels on the high school "required summer reading" list were ones they had already read in their accelerated classes!
"I love having this opportunity available for my daughter!" says parent Kim Thomas.
The staff is considering the possibility of extending the accelerated program to offer a math class at the seventh-grade level. Eighth-grade students now are able to take freshman algebra at the Ursuline Academy, just across the street from St. Joseph's.
Nor are St. Joseph students in the first through fifth grades neglected. Last year an enrichment program was set up. Students in the younger grades meet weekly in small groups with Christine Owens, the accelerated classes' teacher. Enrichment programs focus on critical thinking skills, and the variety of special projects captures student interest.
Notes Jessica Golitko, second-grade teacher, "The students thoroughly enjoyed the program. They were always asking when the next session would be."
And Christine Owens, who conducts both programs, says, "I have the best job! I absolutely love teaching and guiding the students through the enrichment and accelerated programs."
Principal Burke can say with conviction, "The accelerated program is truly a benefit to all of the students of St. Joseph School."
And the skills they develop serve them well as they continue their learning in high school The first two groups in the program scored well on their high school placement exams, and students were placed into honors programs their first and second years of high school. They found that many of the novels on the high school "required summer reading" list were ones they had already read in their accelerated classes!
"I love having this opportunity available for my daughter!" says parent Kim Thomas.
The staff is considering the possibility of extending the accelerated program to offer a math class at the seventh-grade level. Eighth-grade students now are able to take freshman algebra at the Ursuline Academy, just across the street from St. Joseph's.
Nor are St. Joseph students in the first through fifth grades neglected. Last year an enrichment program was set up. Students in the younger grades meet weekly in small groups with Christine Owens, the accelerated classes' teacher. Enrichment programs focus on critical thinking skills, and the variety of special projects captures student interest.
Notes Jessica Golitko, second-grade teacher, "The students thoroughly enjoyed the program. They were always asking when the next session would be."
And Christine Owens, who conducts both programs, says, "I have the best job! I absolutely love teaching and guiding the students through the enrichment and accelerated programs."
Principal Burke can say with conviction, "The accelerated program is truly a benefit to all of the students of St. Joseph School."