The curriculum of St. Augustine of Canterbury School follows the mandates of the Diocese of Metuchen and adheres to New Jersey’s core standards.  Our school is divided into the following units: Pre-Kindergarten; Kindergarten – Second; Third – Fifth; and Sixth – Eighth.  The Elementary School (Grades K-5) is self-contained with some interchanging of Social Studies and Science classes in 4th and 5th grade, while our Middle School (Grades 6-8) is fully departmentalized.
 
The faculty utilizes various methods to teach students of all ability levels and we ensure continuity from one grade level to the next.  To help further diversify teaching techniques and implement curriculum guidelines, the faculty attends a variety of in-service workshops and professional days. 
 

Religion

Our students follow the charism of the Religious Teachers Filippini.  They take an active role in school liturgies as lectors, altar servers, gift bearers, etc.  The students learn and practice their Catholic faith through interaction with other students, and the faculty and staff. Religion classes are required for each student, and our Catholic faith is an integral part of the curriculum at every grade level.  Sacramental preparation; prayers, Bible study, and traditions of the Catholic faith are a few areas of study. Our faith is lived through the interactions between one another. The Family Life education program is an integral part of the religious education curriculum and is mandated by the Bishop for all Catholic elementary schools.   Making Good God Choices is an anti-bully program offered.
 
 Diocese of Metuchen Elementary Religion Curriculum Guidelines (Pre-K to Grade 8)
 

Mathematics

Our school provides instruction in Mathematics within a supportive learning environment; the teachers present math concepts and practice math-related skills with a focus on the acquisition and mastery of basic skills, and we integrate the use of technology beginning in Pre-Kindergarten through grade eight.  Recognizing the importance of learning along a continuum, the faculty implements group activities using manipulatives.  The use of real-life experiences and authentic assessments in the math curriculum provides opportunities for problem solving, logical reasoning, and critical thinking. Math journaling enables Language Arts to be integrated into the subject.  In grades six through eighth Advanced  Math is offered to students that have exhibited an aptitude in this subject and are given the opportunity to take Algebra I in eighth grade and Pre-Algebra in seventh grade.
 

Language Arts/Reading

Language Arts is a comprehensive program that integrates reading, writing, grammar, spelling, penmanship, vocabulary, journaling and oral presentations.  Language Arts is used across the curriculum at every grade level. Our program strives to instill a love of reading and develop writing skills from journaling to editing through publishing.  All the major types of writing styles are taught; Narrative, Persuasive, Cause/Effect, Expository and Descriptive. Creative multimedia projects support and reinforce language arts skills.  Oral presentations begin in Pre-Kindergarten with Show and Tell to more formal presentations required at the higher grade levels. 
 

Science

Our students study Life Science, Earth Science, and Physical Science throughout all grade levels.  Through experimentation, our students use scientific inquiry and the scientific method to make observations and inferences. Students recognize relationships, predict outcomes, use variables, interpret data, draw conclusions and record them.    Language Arts is integrated into Science through journaling, lab reports and research paper/projects in the upper grades.  All grade levels have the opportunity to use our well-equipped state-of-the-art science laboratory.
 

Social Studies

The study of families and neighborhoods is introduced in the primary grades. It later expands to include the study of local, state, and national communities. In grades five and six the focus is on the study of the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. In grades seven and eight emphasis is placed on learning about the history of the United States. Map skills, current events and good citizenship are introduced in Pre-Kindergarten and are developed throughout each grade level.  A visit to the United Nations is part of the eighth grade program.
 

Physical Education

The Physical Education Program strives to enhance individual and team skills as well as each student’s level of physical fitness through a variety of age-appropriate sports and activities. Personal responsibility for fitness and individual skill development is encouraged in every student. Health education is incorporated into our program, including such topics as nutrition, CPR, first aid, and drug awareness (Pre-K 3 –Grade 8)
 

Art

In the primary grades, various art supplies are used as well as different techniques to create works of art.  In grades six through eight the curriculum further develops creative techniques; art media and creative self-expression. The study of various artists, their styles and techniques, are explored through Art History.  Workshops and Group/Individual lessons further their artistic abilities.
 

Technology

Our existing technology curriculum for grades Pre-Kindergarten through eighth is integrated into our students’ entire educational experience.    This curriculum includes but is not limited to keyboarding, electronic spreadsheets, using Publisher, multimedia presentations, web page design, Internet research, writing/editing booklets, and use of curriculum based software and interactive programs.  It has been expanded to include coding programs at all levels.
 

Library

Kindergarten through fifth grade visits our fully automated library once each week.  Kindergarten classes learn library etiquette, caring for and appreciating books as well as listening skills, while cultivating a love of reading.   In first and second grade, borrowing books is introduced as well as responsibility for returning them on time.  First graders use the library computer system to look up books by title, author or subject.  In third grade, the Dewey Decimal system is introduced. In fourth and fifth grades, the students learn the Dewey Decimal System in depth and know how to navigate by using the computer system.  Sixth, seventh and eight graders may visit the library before or after school to borrow a book or for research when supervision is available.   
 

Music

Music classes are offered in grades Pre-Kindergarten through grade five.  The students are taught the basics of note reading and the music for liturgies.   The students learn rhythms through clapping, singing and/or playing instruments.  Some skills learned are simple notations that include pitch, rhythm, dynamics, and tempo.  Students vocalize the "home tone" of familiar and unfamiliar songs, and demonstrate appropriate posture and breathing techniques while performing songs, rounds, or canons in unison with a partner.  A Christmas and Spring Profram show-case their extraordinary talents.
 

World Language

A world language is taught to students in Pre-K 3 through grade eight with an emphasis on basic grammar and culture. World language is taught for the purpose of communication and heightening students’ linguistic and cultural awareness of their local, state, and world community.