Elementary Grades 1-5

The elementary school is a vibrant environment where there is always something new happening.

Under the direction of the Catholic School Department of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, St. Paul’s follows the educational guidelines for all grade levels.  The goal is to graduate students who are effective communicators, have a life-long love of learning, and are able to utilize current technology.

Using our School-wide Learning Expectations and California Curriculum Standards to focus instruction to meet the diverse needs of all students, St. Paul’s is departmentalized from first through eighth grade.

Departmentalization allows each teacher to focus on the particular curriculum standards pertaining to the content area.  In the core curriculum, teachers identify the strengths and challenges of all students and provide for their growth and development by meeting the student at his or her individual level.

The elementary school curriculum features:

• Catholic values that are integrated throughout the entire curriculum establishing a strong Catholic identity.  Service projects are completed at various grade levels and allow teachers the opportunity to integrate the subject of the project into the curriculum.

• A variety of instructional strategies within the classroom, the teachers facilitate small group instruction and differentiation with the help of teacher assistants.

• There are teaching assistants in every first through fifth grade classroom.

• In fifth grade math classes there is a reduced student-to-teacher ratio in and one accelerated group moves one year above state standards.

• CMAST Program for teaching math and science was introduced for grades 3-8 in 2008, in cooperation with Loyola Marymount University.

• Language Arts and Social Studies curricula include creative writing, book reports, essays, and oral reports to gain greater comprehension of the material.

• Music, Art Literacy, Spanish and Physical Education are taught to the Archdiocesan Guidelines and the California State Standards.

• The incorporation of technology begins in Kindergarten and continues through eighth grade.

• Our classrooms are equipped with technology to educate our children so that they become 21st century learners.  The children have access to classroom computers, an interactive whiteboard, digital cameras, and many other resources.  St. Paul the Apostle’s goal is to graduate students who are effective communicators and are able to utilize all current technology.

• The elementary school is blessed to have several of the parish priests and lay people serving as our chaplains. Mrs. Claire Henning visits our 1st grade classrooms each week to guide the students in their ongoing spiritual development.  Our pastor, Fr. John Ardis, works with our second grade families in preparation for receiving the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Eucharist.  Soon to be deacon, Mr. Danny Amos, guides the fifth grade along in their spiritual journey.  Third and fourth grades welcome Fr. Ed who always brings along a few new magic tricks to share.

• Students visit our Sr. Stella Maria Enright Library and Media Center each week.  Our librarian exposes students to different print and electronic media through a variety of activities.

• Art Literacy is a hands-on class is held weekly.  Students are encouraged to enjoy the artistic process while learning about artists and their media.  The student art is displayed for the community to view at Christmas in the Church and in the spring.

• The music program is a developmental program seeking to expand the children’s knowledge and appreciation of music through singing, listening, movement, and hand-on activities.

• Our physical education program is fun while focusing on fitness, sportsmanship, and personal growth.