Curricular Programs 

Religion

St. Mary’s Catholic School follows the Diocese of Austin guidelines regarding the religion curriculum.  Religion classes are taught at least four days a week, with students attending Mass twice each week.  Mass days are Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.  Other Mass days are noted on the monthly calendar.
 
All students must participate in all religious functions and religion classes when held during the school day.
 
Guidance

Guidance classes are held one day each week with instruction given by the student’s religion teacher.
 
Spanish

Spanish language instruction in offered to students in grades five through eight.  Students with satisfactory oral proficiency and grades will earn a high school credit for foreign language.
 
Physical Education

P.E. is an essential part of the school curriculum and each student must participate in P.E. classes. 
 
Students must wear athletic-type shoes for P.E.  Students in grades 4 through 8 must wear P.E. uniforms.
 
If the student is unable to participate in physical education, the student must present a written note from the parent to the P.E. teacher.  The student will then attend the P.E. class, but will not be required to participate; however, the student will be asked to bring a book or an assignment to work on during that time.  For exemptions beyond two days, a letter from a doctor will be required and the P.E. teacher will notify the principal. 
 
Science Fair

Each student in grades 3 through 8 is required to complete a science project to be displayed at the St. Mary’s Science Fair.  Students in grades 5 through 8 are also required to write an accompanying research paper.
          
Accelerated Reader

The Accelerated Reader program provides students in all grades with an opportunity to practice reading skills and thus increase reading speed and comprehension rate. 
 
Each nine weeks students are expected to earn the number of points indicated below for each grade level by reading books and taking computerized tests on the books read.  These points have been determined by recommendation from Renaissance Leaning, the developer of the Accelerated Reader program, and from grade level teachers at St. Mary’s Catholic School.  Students in grades two through eight will received a grade in reading based on the percentage of points earned during each nine weeks period.  The grade will be recorded as at least one major test grade for the nine weeks period.

Students may test between the hours of 7:30 AM and 4:30 PM only. Tests taken before or after these times will not be counted toward accumulated points.
 
AR Points for Each Nine Weeks Period (AR Goals)
 

Grade	1st nine weeks	2nd nine weeks	3rd nine weeks	4th nine weeks	Total for the year
K	1	2	3	4	10
1	4	6	8	8	26
2	10	10	15	15	50
3	20	20	25	25	90
4	25	25	25	25	100
5	25	25	25	25	100
6-8	30	30	30	30	120

 
At the beginning of the school year each student will be administered the Star Reading Assessment to determine the student’s independent reading level. 
 
Students having a significant discrepancy between their grade level and independent reading level may be assigned a modified number of points required for each nine weeks.  This may reflected on the report card as a modified grade on the student’s report card.
 
Recognition will be given to students each nine weeks period based on the number of points accumulated with an 85% rate of comprehension.  Points earned with less than an 85% comprehension rate will not be eligible for inclusion as points accumulated for recognition. 
 
Each nine weeks the following recognition will be given:
1.  Highest number of points with a comprehension rate at or above 85% in each class
2.  Highest comprehension rate in each class.
3.  First time meeting AR goal in a nine weeks period with a comprehension rate at or above 85%
4.  Meeting goal for current nine weeks period with a comprehension rate at or above 85%
 
At the end of the school year, recognition will also be given for:
1.  Highest number of points in each grade
2.  Highest number of points overall
3.  Point Club recognition