We offer a program of academic excellence.  A sound program that fosters academic excellence is not a goal at CCCS, it is the norm.  In our fast-paced society, the future holds realities that we cannot even imagine.  We cannot prepare our students for an unknown future, therefore we teach children to be problem-solvers; we challenge students to think critically and creatively.  We teach our CCCS students to create a positive future for themselves and for the world.  We enable children to intellectually compete with others, to gain competence in their approach to work and to be good communicators.  School-wide scores on the  Terra Nova tests provide evidence of a strong curricular program.  CCCS students’ scores across grade levels compare very favorably with the diocese and the Providence of Florida which encompasses all Catholic schools in the state.

Competent teachers dedicate themselves to developing the student’s needs.  All CCCS teachers are qualified and certified by the State of Florida.

The CCCS program carefully lays the foundation for future academic success and is designed to promote confidence, inspire curiosity, encourage cooperation and develop critical and creative thinking skills.  CCCS offers a challenging and stimulating academic program that fosters self-esteem.  Through its curriculum, delivered by expert, dedicated educators, CCCS strengthens literacy and mathematic skills, helps students to develop a strong work ethic and ultimately promotes a life-long love for learning.

Ultimately, the goal of the academic program at CCCS is to develop what is best in each student and set him/her up for success in high school and beyond.  Educators at CCCS do this by helping students to discern their God-given gifts and use them in ways that will bring them personal honor and give honor and praise to God.

The curriculum of Corpus Christi Catholic School includes:

• a Christ-centered approach to teaching and learning
• research-based theories of teaching and learning
• a blend of traditional and progressive methodologies
• a well-defined integrated course of studies that is rigorously academic with attention to developmental appropriateness, especially in the early grades
• emphasis in the early grades on learning to learn
• units of study which form the basis for teaching and learning. Units in all subjects focus on teaching students how to think and problem solve.
• an emphasis on technology integration across all subject areas
• engagement in real-word applications of content with great emphasis on student engagement

The Kindergarten program at CCCS provides a nurturing, caring environment that is alive with the excitement of learning. A developmental approach to learning recognizes each learner’s unique learning pattern in the Kindergarten classroom. The Kindergarten program is a full-day program.

A basic aim of the Kindergarten program is to create a self-motivated, independent learner. This is achieved by helping students to gain a sense of enjoyment about learning and eagerness to learn.

The teacher and assistant inspire students to wonder, discover, create and excel.  

A robust curriculum appropriately balances active hands-on learning with individual instruction, large and small group instruction, as well as one on one instruction. It is a curriculum that expands students’ ability to learn with time and ignites their motivation for learning in the future.

Language literacy and ease in applying simple mathematical concepts form the foundation, not only for this year, but for all future years.

In a literacy rich environment, students are immersed in books, stories, phonemic awareness, a variety of centers and songs.

An exciting, rich array of literacy experiences are presented in Kindergarten and these form the foundational prerequisites for reading and writing. Various projects, games and activities help students to develop comprehension skills and visual/auditory discrimination skills.

Religion classes are the centerpiece of the CCCS curriculum. The religion curriculum is aimed at the development of the whole person, body, mind and spirit. In addition to providing a strong knowledge base of the Catholic faith, it seeks to help students to grow closer to God. The religion program, therefore, embraces the four pillars of the Catholic Church: the Creed, liturgy and sacrament, moral life and prayer. Scripture is an essential element in all pursuits in religion classes.

A broad spectrum of topics are considered in religion classes, including, but not limited to sacramental life, prayer, church history, family life, peace, justice, the preferential option for the poor and marginalized and the sacredness of human life.

Great emphasis is placed on helping students to live their faith by understanding and living the Gospel and the Church’s teachings and by seeing themselves in light of the fact that they have been made in God’s image.

The CCCS mathematic program is designed to develop and build on solid computational skills for the further development of critical thinking, problem solving and application skills.

Initially, students are introduced to mathematical concepts through the use of manipulatives, interactive, electronic white boards, centers and group interaction. Students learn a wide variety of skills. Students are specifically taught to recognize and formulate generalizations about patterns. It is through grade five that students build a foundation of number facts and a basic repertoire of operations that will become useful in middle school.

In middle school,(6-8) students are grouped according to their past mathematics achievement. Classes are small, with a maximum of 18 per class. In these more intense classes, students acquire higher level skills to be able to engage in problem solving in geometry and algebra. They will gain a working understanding of area, perimeter, volume, the Pythagorean theory, rational and irrational numbers, exponential form, solving single and multiple step equations and integer application, to mention a few areas.

English/Language Arts

In general, the English/language arts program at CCCS emphasizes reading, writing, communications and critical thinking and research skills.

The English/language arts program is designed to give students a solid foundation in reading, writing, speaking and listening. A progressive, coordinated curriculum builds master skills through the grade levels so that students move from learning to read to reading to learn.

Emphasis is placed on grammar instruction and vocabulary development as the basis for writing and all communication skills. Vocabulary instruction is also integrated in all subjects through the study of words in context.

In reading, the focus is on developing and sharpening comprehension skills, exposure to a broad spectrum of genre and fostering a love for and an appreciation of literature. The reading program also aims at developing in students the habit of reading quality literature. Units of study in reading, especially in the upper grades, stress the development of critical reading skills and strategies and the use of research.

Especially in the middle school, a study of literature is pursued with emphasis on its critical analysis and its connection to the student’s life as well as the current time. Also in middle school, students have ample opportunities to analyze and evaluate complex texts. Opportunities are provided for students to analyze situations, synthesize solutions to problems and communicate their ideas orally or in writing.

While writing is emphasized in all subject areas, greatest emphasis is placed on the development of writing skills in the English/language arts curriculum. Students are taught to express their thoughts in writing in a clear and coherent manner. Throughout all grades, students experience the rigors of a writing program where they daily construct narrative, expository persuasive and informational writing pieces. Students are taught writing processes that organizes and maximizes what the student wants to communicate. The goal is for every student who graduates from CCCS to be equipped with the skills and strategies necessary for writing well-structured, well developed essays that communicate concepts clearly and in a way that is intellectually stimulating and inspirational to its readers.                                 

Overall, the science program at CCCS emphasizes learning subject matter in the context of inquiry, technology and the history and nature of science. It uses evidence and strategies for developing or revising findings and encourages students to analyze and synthesize data. Through scientific studies, students are able to manage ideas and information. Instead of focusing on “getting an answer,” the curriculum encourages students to process data through investigation in order to develop understanding and deep knowledge of the content.

Furthermore, the program seeks to sharpen students’ deductive reasoning skills as well as their ability to effectively collaborate with peers in their investigations, discovering connects and relationships.

In keeping with a desire to produce STEM outcomes, CCCS’s science program introduces students to research for problem solving, defending their position and ultimately to being fully vested in outcomes.

The world of science is an ever-changing, competitive network that must be viewed from a global perspective. The curriculum at CCCS recognizes this in its integration of modern technology, literacy skills, critical thinking and problem-solving skills in a student centered environment.

A well-equipped science lab allows students to test hypothesis through hands-on exploration. Students learn how to employ the scientific method in their lab work.

Social Studies is taught using a sequential approach beginning with a concept of community and progressing to a worldview. The social studies program aims at helping students to gain an understanding of the world, its people, places and resources using a scaffolding approach eventually for the synthesis of ideas, information and concepts. Great emphasis on essential questions, especially regarding cause and effect, is maintained through the curriculum.

In the social studies program, students broaden their perspectives by studying relationships between and among cultures as well as the politics that influence cultures and peoples.

Students have opportunities to think and investigate analytically through research projects, artwork and technology.

In keeping with the research that indicates that second-language learning is most effective at a very early age, CCCS offers Spanish to all students, beginning in Kindergarten. The focus of the program is to develop literacy in Spanish and an awareness and appreciation for various Hispanic cultures. Emphasis is placed on both oral and written communication in Spanish.

Courses are progressive from year to year, allowing students’ proficiency to grow exponentially.

In the upper grades, classes are conducted exclusively in Spanish, providing students with an opportunity for full immersion.

Students who begin at CCCS in an intermediate or middle school grade and have never studied Spanish will receive remedial assistance on campus.

Students participate in library science classes which blend library skills with technology skills. In library science, students learn the basics of information access and literature appreciation.

The library currently includes an up-to-date collection of fiction and non-fiction for all grade levels. The technology lab is housed in the library space serves many purposes which are explained in detail in the “Technology” section.

The physical education program at CCCS is aimed at developing the knowledge, skills, attitude, values and behaviors necessary for students to maintain a physically active and healthy lifestyle. Furthermore, the program seeks to promote life-long habits of good fitness and health.

The course objectives at all grade levels address the psychomotor, affective and social domains. This integrated approach will serve students for a lifetime as they master physical skills, specific sports and the rules governing them and learn to cooperate with others, respect others, practice teamwork and sportsmanship. This integrated approach will also help students to understand and practice good physical and mental health.

Students also participate in the Presidential Fitness Challenge each year with special awards given to outstanding participants at the end of the year.

STREAM is the collaborative blending of five concepts integrating our Catholic faith in an innovative, exploratory, artistic learning environment: Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering the Arts, & Math.  Lessons emphasize the application of knowledge to real life problems and situations by encouraging students to think outside of the box, and to be creative, with many hands on activities and simulations. To gain a better understanding of this program, and the beneficial characteristics possesed by a STREAM school , more information can be found here: https://www.ncea.org/NCEA/Learn/Resource/Academic_Excellence/STREAM__Science__Technology__Religion__Engineering__Arts__Math_/10_Characteristics_of_a_STREAM_School.aspx?WebsiteKey=60819b28-9432-4c46-a76a-a2e20ac11cfd 

The Gifted Program is an optional program for students who qualify based on standardized test scores, academic performance and teacher recommendation. 
Students in the gifted program are exposed to project based learning activities covering various topics, areas of interest and fields of study. Students will be provided with the skills and resources necessary to aquire advanced level content and thinking skills.

Music

The music program is designed to promote musical literacy: the ability to read, write and think music as well as to promote a deep appreciation for music.

Courses at each grade level consider music through performance and basic skills development especially in ensemble settings. The program assists students in listening, describing, reading, performing and creating music. One of its major focuses is to help students to appreciate music as an art form.