Curriculum Information
Curriculum Overview
VPK (4 year old) Curriculum
St. Peter’s VPK Program curriculum is designed to nurture the whole child—spiritually, socially, emotionally, and intellectually—through a faith-centered and developmentally appropriate approach. We integrate religion into everyday activities, teaching children about God’s love, prayer, and core Catholic values, fostering a foundation for a lifelong relationship with Christ. Our classroom is centered around learning through play, which is essential at this age for developing curiosity, social skills, and cognitive abilities. Our students explore hands-on activities that make learning fun and engaging, encouraging them to discover and experiment. To cater to each child’s individual needs and learning styles, we use differentiated instruction in small group settings. By assessing each child’s strengths and areas for growth, our teachers create tailored activities that challenge and support every learner. We use learning centers—like reading, science, art, and math corners—to allow students to rotate, explore various subjects, and build foundational skills in a structured yet flexible way.
Our VPK uses the Frog Street Curriculum. The Frog Street VPK curriculum is a research-based, comprehensive program designed to foster children’s academic, social, and emotional development. Developed with a strong emphasis on early literacy and language skills, Frog Street VPK incorporates engaging, age-appropriate activities that align with state standards. The curriculum follows a thematic approach, integrating key concepts in math, science, social studies, and fine arts through interactive lessons, play-based learning, and hands-on exploration. It also focuses on building social-emotional skills, supporting self-regulation, and promoting a positive sense of self—all foundational for kindergarten readiness and lifelong learning. Our goal is to inspire a love for learning, a sense of community, and a strong moral foundation in every child.
Our VPK uses the Frog Street Curriculum. The Frog Street VPK curriculum is a research-based, comprehensive program designed to foster children’s academic, social, and emotional development. Developed with a strong emphasis on early literacy and language skills, Frog Street VPK incorporates engaging, age-appropriate activities that align with state standards. The curriculum follows a thematic approach, integrating key concepts in math, science, social studies, and fine arts through interactive lessons, play-based learning, and hands-on exploration. It also focuses on building social-emotional skills, supporting self-regulation, and promoting a positive sense of self—all foundational for kindergarten readiness and lifelong learning. Our goal is to inspire a love for learning, a sense of community, and a strong moral foundation in every child.
Elementary (K-5) Curriculum
Major Subject Areas:
Religion - The primary goal of the curriculum is to have children learn, understand, and relate our Catholic faith to their own lives. This main focus is linked to all other lessons, regardless of subject matter. Children grow in awareness and understanding of Jesus' mission, teaching, death, and resurrection. They also become active members in celebrating the Mass and Eucharist.
Science - MaGraw Hill Curriculum covers areas of earth science, life science and physical science. As children undertake Science activities, for instance, they develop critical thinking and reasoning skills, which they can apply to other subjects.
Social Studies - Social Studies in third grade focuses on Communities and Early Civilizations, fourth grade focuses on Florida History and fifth grade focuses on American History. Through Social Studies discussions and investigations, children appreciate the history of our country and begin to develop a global view of the world.
Language Arts – This consists of the broad subject areas of reading, writing (including spelling, grammar, usage, and penmanship), listening, and speaking. Our goal is to give children tools to communicate and effectively interpret the spoken and written word. Teachers provide children with many opportunities to develop and strengthen their love of language, use language creatively, and develop their capacity to reason. Students in the elementary level engage in a writing process that extends throughout the curriculum.
Writing across the curriculum is achieved by creative writing, which is not limited to a specific subject, learning to spell reading words that are used in the different types of writing, and writing summaries in areas such as social studies, reading and religion. First graders and higher participate in our Accelerated Reading Program in order to enhance their reading level. This program tracks the books each student reads, the level of the book, and the overall score and points received when tested. This assists the teacher in tracking each child's reading level and, if necessary, implementing additional initiatives.
Math - Eureka Square is used to help students gain conceptual understanding of mathematics. Teachers’ employee manipulatives and technology to support students. Problem solving and data interpretations are utilized in the application of math.
Middle School Curriculum
Middle School
Religion - The study of the Catholic faith is pivotal in our educational process. In 6th grade, the focus is on the Old Testament, while in 7th grade, the New Testament is the primary area. In 8th grade, the history of the Catholic Church will be covered as well as Theology of the Body.
Math - Students are instructed in ability groups from 6th grade through 8th grade. This permits students to pursue either algebra or pre-algebra by the time they are in the eighth grade.
ELA – Grammar and literature are used to reinforce writing skills for each student. Teachers focus on grammar to reinforce writing skills across the curriculum that are so important for high school success. Middle school is novel based.
Social Studies - Curriculum seeks to promote citizenship and an understanding of our relationship with the world around us. The curriculum includes, world civilizations at the 6th grade level, world geography at the 7th grade level, and American History at the 8th grade level. Social studies and science work together to give the student a total concept of the world in which we live. Each level incorporates current events into lessons by way of discussion and by reading daily events or researching pertinent topics online.
Science - Science is divided into ability levels in grades 6th through 8th. In the sixth grade, earth and space science introduces students to the world and universe in which they live. This curriculum is closely linked to the Social Studies curriculum, which, in sixth grade, emphasizes world civilizations. Emphasis on beginning laboratory skills is started in the 5th grade. In seventh grade, lab skills are enhanced to include microscope techniques as students are introduced to life science, ranging from cells to the complexity of the human body.
Weekly, students rotate into the schools' state-of-the-art science and/or computer lab where, experiments are conducted using virtual labs as well as hands on experiments. The 8th grade physical science class introduces basic concepts in physics and chemistry. This integrates both science and math curricula. In addition, eight graders regularly visit the science and/or computer lab where experiments are conducted using virtual labs as well as hands-on lab experiments.
Special Areas:
Music - Classes are concerned with the structure and use of music in everyday life. St. Peter is blessed to have a music lab with digital keyboard, violins, ukulele, and penny whistles. Students learn about instruments and their sounds, musical forms, and musical styles. Students learn to play simple instruments, construct simple melodic passages, and perform folk dances. They continue to develop their singing voices and learn how to sing simple harmonies.
Computer Science - Computer skills are taught in a computer lab rather than in individual classrooms. Students are instructed in the proper terminology and use of the computer and then use programs to practice keyboarding, language, and/or math skills. Students often use the computer for research and for typing and publishing their work.
Spanish - Students in 5th - 8th receive insturcion in spanish. Conversational Spanish is geared toward practical use and activities in daily life. Students also work on basic writing skills, along with learning hispanic culture.
Physical Education & Health and Guidance – The curriculum focuses on our students being fit in mind, body, and soul. Every year, students go through the Presidents Physical Fitness Challenge test. Classes are structured with a variety of basic exercises and fun games to work on specific skills like eye/hand coordination, eye/foot coordination, under/over hand throwing, spatial awareness, and body positioning.
Art - Students learn about the elements and principles of art and how to apply them in their own projects. Special techniques are combined with many types of media to work on craftsmanship and problem solving through art. The creative process, creative expression, cultural heritage, and art history are touched upon at various times during each project.
Media Center – The center’s activities build basic library skills and develop reading proficiency. Students are taught to locate and evaluate books for personal reading and for achieving goals in the Accelerated Reading and Book-It programs. Classes have regular weekly visits to the media center but also have access on an "as needed" basis during other center hours.