Students are challenged through high academic expectations, which are aligned with Archdiocese of Seattle K-8 Curricula and Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALRs). Students are assessed visually, orally, and in written form throughout the year to determine to what extent they are meeting Grade Level Expectations (GLEs). Student self-assessment measures progress towards academic goals. Curriculum assessment is an ongoing process, taking into consideration teacher recommendations, grade level expectations, and feedback received from both parents and students.

Queen of Angels School provides a challenging, comprehensive, and relevant curriculum for each student that fulfills the schools mission and philosophy, and results in achievement of Schoolwide Learning Expectations. Curriculum decisions are based on the Queen of Angels School SLEs, Archdiocese of Seattle K-8 Curricula, and the Washington EALRs to ensure a continuum of learning in all subjects. Writing and reading continuums were adopted and a math continuum was created. The religion continuum was adopted from the Archdiocese Benchmarks and Guidelines. The re-evaluation and refinement of the continuum for each subject is an ongoing goal.

Queen of Angels School incorporates current and varied strategies at all grade levels to enhance teaching and learning. Principal and faculty seek to improve the learning environment by attending workshops, professional development in-services, and serving as members of visiting teams.

Click here for our Curriculum Overview

Religion

The focus of the religion curriculum is to develop and strong Catholic identity and to fulfill the Queen of Angels Catholic School mission and philosophy.  The goal is to guide students to become faith-filled persons and responsible citizens who model Gospel morals and virtues, understand the Catholic faith and tradition, and know scripture and catechism.

Writing & Grammar

Students use the writing process to respond to fiction or informational text, to persuade, to inform, to imaginatively create, and to write letters, invitations and directions.  Teachers facilitate student skills through the four phases: pre-write, revise, edit and publish.

Oral Communication

Students are given multiple opportunities to practice and develop public speaking skills beginning in kindergarten with individual and group presentations.  Examples include lectoring at school Masses, leading morning prayer and presenting projects that reflect experiential learning.

Reading

Reading is the essence of all content areas.  Comprehension strategies such as making connections, determining importance, inferring, and synthesizing are taught at all grade levels.  In addition to comprehension strategies, the reading program emphasizes guiding students to be strategic readers, to employ word analysis and to read with fluency. Using formative assessment, teachers collaborate with students to select books at their reading level.

Mathematics

Our mathematics program focuses on standards-based as well as percentage-based data.  Teachers enhance the math curriculum with additional materials and hands-on tools.  The fundamentals are incorporated throughout all content areas.  Math learning is organized so that all students develop and sharpen their skills, broaden their understanding of mathematical concepts and processes, and hone their problem-solving strategies.

Science

The science curriculum encompasses aspects of earth, life and physical science.  The use of FOSS kits provides hands-on learning and helps connect experiments to life experiences.  Students use critical thinking skills and collaboration to evaluate scientific information, which links knowledge and an understanding of the natural world.

Social Studies

Our social studies curriculum provides a unique forum for acquiring historical perspective, practicing respectful processes of engagement and developing a passion for contributing to the common good of the immediate and larger community.  The students learn about Washington State, American and world history, geography, and economics.

Physical Education

P.E. is directed towards helping students become healthy and active citizens.  Students are involved in a variety of age-appropriate activities.  The goal is to provide a life-long fitness framework of activities that will help to develop the whole child.  Students also learn the principles of health and nutrition and how to apply these to their daily lives.

Music & Drama

The music program provides opportunities for students to create and participate in musical experiences through voice, instrument and movement.  Students are taught to comprehend and interpret a vast range of music, which allows for interdisciplinary connections.  Through drama training, students improve skills in characterization, staging and projection; write realistic dialogue and stage directions; and improve adaptations of religious stories and scripture.

Visual Arts

Pre-K through 8^th grade teachers integrate art throughout the curricula using a variety of techniques, media, and a variety of materials to help students express their creativity and gain knowledge of art elements. Art projects are incorporated into student presentations, displays, reports and creative writing.  A multitude of media such as clay, wire, acrylic paints, pastels, water color, water and fabric are used to create projects.  The artwork of students is showcased throughout the year in classrooms, hallways and at special events.

Latin

Latin is taught to students in 8^th grade.  The curriculum focuses on vocabulary and grammar, which reinforces the English language and teaches word roots that expand students’ vocabulary in English. Students also learn about Roman and ancient church culture.