The upper school curriculum at The Cathedral School is designed to promote literacy, develop math skills, enhance students’ understanding of the world around them, cultivate work habits, and foster citizenship.  All of the curriculum, nursery through grade eight is articulated through standards that define the important knowledge, skills, and understandings we believe all students must acquire in order to become fully functioning, well-educated citizens.  Our skilled and dedicated teachers are committed to helping all children reach their own personal best in every subject area.

Reading

The reading program includes student selected books which teachers help students select.  In addition, students read high quality literature in “whole class” selections.  Students also read a variety of content texts in other curriculum areas, such as science, social studies and mathematics.

Writing

Writing is integrated into all aspects of the curriculum.  Students write in a variety of forms to communicate information, opinions and ideas.  Students are taught to use a writing process that includes developing the idea in prewriting, composing drafts, revising, editing and reflecting upon finished work.  They use the six basic writing traits of overall development, organization, support, sentence structure, word choice, and mechanics in their writing pieces.

All literacy instruction is based on the following essential understandings:

Reading and writing require a fundamental knowledge of sounds, letter, words and the conventions of language to read, write and speak effectively.

Reading is a thinking process used to construct meaning.

Writing is a thinking process used to generate, clarify and communicate ideas.

Mathematics

The Cathedral School’s mathematics program focuses on developing students’ skills in many areas of mathematics.  By studying the underlying structure and relationship of numbers and operations, students learn to compute, estimate and solve mathematical problems in meaningful ways.  Instruction emphasizes problem solving strategies and reasoning as students arrive at and justify mathematical solutions.  Students are also helped to make connections among mathematical concepts to strengthen and further their understanding.

History/Social Studies

The Cathedral School social studies curriculum incorporates ten themes identified by the National Council of Social Studies.

Culture

Time, Continuity, and Change

People, Places and Environments

Individual Development and Identity

Individuals, Groups and Institutions

Power, Authority, and Governance

Production, Distribution and Consumption

Science, Technology, and Society

Global Connections and Interdependence

Civic Ideals and Practice

The social studies curriculum in the lower grades builds a foundation that supports the learning in the upper grades.  Early knowledge is taught in ways that help children gain insight into the social and physical world in which they live.  Upper grades apply this background knowledge of social studies themes when studying the history of western civilization.

Science

The goal of the science program is to have all students demonstrate scientific literacy.  The science program helps each student develop scientific knowledge and vocabulary, an understanding of the scientific method, an understanding of major theories and concepts, and an understanding of the relevance of science to everyday experiences.  The curriculum consists of separate units that have been carefully designed to involve children in hands-on investigations of scientific phenomena.  Through investigation, discovery and application, students learn scientific concepts in life, earth, and physical science.

Greek

In the Cathedral School Greek program students study the Modern Greek language, Greek culture, and Greek mythology.  Students learn about Ancient Greece and its contributions to present day society.  Upper school students are also trained in the Ancient Greek language.  The rich history of Greece and its culture is integrated into the curriculum of all grade levels through art, storytelling, myths, music and dance.

Specials

All Cathedral School students have daily 40 minute classes rotating computer, drama, music, visual arts, religion and physical education.  Religious education is based upon sound Christian principles from a Greek Orthodox perspective. The mission of the vocal music program encourages students to perform, create and understand various forms of music so that they will enjoy music throughout their lifetimes. The visual arts program promotes the development of artistic thinking skills in each individual.  The physical education program emphasizes physical fitness and the development of basic motor skills that form the foundation for more complex sports and fitness activities.

The Cathedral School library serves all students, from nursery to eighth grade.  The mission of the library includes the support of learning and teaching, the provision of current resources and the stimulation of intellectual curiosity and imagination.  We offer a broad collection of books and multimedia materials to support the classroom and personal reading interests of our student body. The library media center is equipped with six personal computers and a large screen television that connects to the internet.  Teachers use this technology in a variety of ways.  For example, a second grade teacher may take her students to the center to learn about amphibians.  She uses the widescreen projection of the internet to illustrate how frogs grow from tadpole to adult.  She also points out other websites that the children can use to explore learning more on their own.  The media center is a powerful technology classroom where classes come to fully explore a topic. 

The goal of the Chess Program is to help students think clearly and logically about solving the problems they face on the chess board. Studies have shown that this type of thinking is readily transferred to other areas, both academic and non-academic. Lower School students have chess class once per week; Upper School students have the opportunity to sign up for a class which is held during their lunch period on Fridays.  This program is sponsored by the Parents Association.