CURRICULUM

The Saint Nicholas curriculum includes classical studies and Latin, traditional literature in English, Spanish and French, the fundamentals and exploration in science and mathematics, and the technology of computers and multimedia. The infant and primary departments focus on the concrete Montessori method, and also include the beginnings of group work.  The elementary department proceeds to more abstract work, but includes concrete materials, especially in mathematics and science. The middle school focuses on maturing academic skills and responsibility, especially in research, composition, and projects.

The international environment is a natural function of Houston and the Medical Center.  Spanish and French are taught beginning in the infant class, and Latin is included in middle school to produce proficiency in four languages. 

The phonetic basis for the codes of languages produces an explosion of reading skills and a newly found organization and focus of the mind in the four to five year old.  The Focus and Languages Through Phonics materials produce consistent success in language arts.

Reading instruction includes a comprehensive language arts approach of a sequence of the 44 phonetic elements of English in materials that are more than 90% decodable and predictable.  The English language is presented so that most first graders complete the sequence and are competent independent readers, recognizing 2000 or more words.  Less dependence on context for word recognition focuses attention on comprehension.  With increasing student proficiency, the reading material includes words that expand the vocabulary.  The student becomes ready to read literary works of classical authors in complete original form, many of whom wrote for children.  It is a lost dimension in education and a lost sensitive period of childhood to present diminished "readability" versions of literature.  Oral phonological work, oral language instruction, and oral and written comprehension skills support comprehension and vocabulary development. Language material is supplemented with early teaching of the parts of speech and diagramming of sentences.  The Latin (romantic) basis of the four languages we teach is a unifying element.  The formal teaching of handwriting includes the calligraphy skills of Italic Handwriting.

Mathematics instruction proceeds from intuition and the concrete to abstractions and symbol processing.  Practical problem solving and projects using manipulatives in small groups develop concepts.  Students recognize that there are many ways to accomplish a task, and are involved in discovering algorithms and sharing approaches.  Teachers present mathematical routines and oral drills daily to supplement the lesson.  Concepts are introduced in years before mastery is required and are revisited with varieties of format.  At strategic points after a concrete basis has been established, students overlearn (or memorize) and are tested on, in a traditional format, basics such as arithmetic facts and their application to computation and problem solving.  Evaluations are based on mastery concepts and skills.  Most students will complete Algebra I in grade 8.

A networked computer system provides practice and instruction in reading comprehension, thinking skills, and mathematics.  Keyboard skills, word processing, and spreadsheet use are taught.

Fine arts work includes studio art, art appreciation, music theory and appreciation, recorder instruction, choir, and private instruction in piano. 

Middle School topics include ancient history, medieval history, the early modern age, world geography, life science, earth science, physical science, science lab, language lab, mathematics, algebra, Old Testament, and New Testament.  Literature includes the study of Kipling, Stevenson, Dante, Chaucer, Shakespeare, Milton, Bunyan, Swift, and Defoe.