Academics

Academics are a critical part of our school day. At Holy Sepulcher School we create a challenging and exciting learning environment. Subject material is introduced to the students in a variety of ways since each student has his or her own learning styles. Students explore, research, experiment, manipulate and discover. Classroom instruction includes group activities, cooperative learning, interdisciplinary activities, reading, laboratories, hands-on activities, games, lectures, notetaking, Smartboard interaction and questioning. We hold above average standards and strive for excellence.

The language arts program is the foundation of academic instruction at Holy Sepulcher Catholic School because it encompasses all areas of instruction. We recognize the uniqueness of each child and strive to provide a curriculum in which each student can be successful in listening, speaking, reading and writing.

Holy Sepulcher School Curriculum
In each curriculum area, the faculty strives to promote the achievement of academic excellence in relationship to the student’s individual potential by providing a Catholic environment in which each student can excel and feel safe. The faculty also continues to strive to utilize advances in technology with interactive technology in every classroom to further the development of instruction and learning while building on the fact that good learning takes place in an environment where children are able to form healthy relationships and be engaged in the learning process.

Our academic program challenges students to become significantly more knowledgeable, skillful, organized and articulate. Our arts and enrichment program helps students develop their aesthetic awareness, creativity and self-expression. Our athletic program helps students make healthy choices, develop skills and increase fitness through physical education, health and sports. Our extracurricular activities provide opportunities for students to discover a talent, develop a passion, serve their community and have fun at Holy Sepulcher.

Holy Sepulcher, with its distinguished record of success, offers a rich and diverse educational experience that is holistic, developmentally appropriate, engaging and stimulating. Students and teachers are encouraged to pursue excellence and strive to do their best.

Holy Sepulcher Curriculum

If you have questions about any area of the curriculum, please call the School Office at 724-586-5022 ext 3201 or send an email to [email protected].

Each grade level follows the Diocesan and State Curriculum Guidelines and incorporates the following instruction: reading comprehension, phonics, literature circles, Reader’s Theatre, speaking, writing, listening skill development, vocabulary, spelling and writing Assessment.
The students receive ample experiences and opportunities to develop a life-long love of reading. In the early years, the emphasis is on progressing from an emergent reader to an independent reader.
Students are challenged to continually work on grammar to improve their writing skills. At each grade level, there is an emphasis on the student’s ability to write and express themselves in various forms. The literature curriculum concentrates on teaching various genres. Using the genres of nonfiction, fiction, biography/memoir, mystery, science fiction/fantasy, poetry and historical fiction the students are introduced to many different types of stories that are used in various content areas and at various grade levels.

The diocesan mathematics curriculum is implemented at all levels using a variety of methodologies, resources and teaching styles to meet the needs of each learner. At each grade level there is an emphasis on encouraging the development of mathematical concepts and skills that can be applied to real life situations and form the basis of higher-level mathematical study and development. Kindergarten thru 6th grade participates in a computer based mathematics skill development program: Khan Academy. 

The Science Curriculum encompasses concept formation and methods of learning involving hypothesizing, observing, classifying, measuring, predicting, inferring, collecting and analyzing data in order to arrive at valid conclusions and generalizations. This scientific inquiry is basic to good science instruction.
Children learn best when they are involved in the process, when they participate. Processes are related to subject matter and make it meaningful. As the student begins to use the inquiry method the many phases of today’s changing world are explained in an effort to support each child in becoming a problem-solving citizen.
Christian values permeate the science curriculum’s content and processes. The sacredness of all life, the establishment of peace in the world, the never-ending work for justice and the responsibility to be co-creators in the continuing progress of humanity are the primary goals of science education.
The learner, through the use of the basic skills of science, through knowledge of the created world and through competencies in exploring the unknown, will be drawn into the twenty-first century prepared for citizenship in the global community as envisioned by God’s providential care.

The Social Studies Curriculum is taught within the framework of the social teachings of the Catholic Church. At every grade level teachers integrate and utilize a variety of methodologies, resources and teaching styles in order to meet the needs of each student. An emphasis is placed on promoting good citizenship and responsibility for oneself as a contributing member of a community. Emerging global issues and cultural diversity are promoted through various age appropriate projects. 

The students experience history through simulations, reports, speeches, debates, and various projects and activities. History comes alive in class by creating opportunities for students to become part of the period of time they are studying. Additionally, the students work on map skills, current events and citizenship activities.

Lifelong health and fitness are emphasized and reinforced through class discussions and structured activities.

All students learn the truths we profess as Catholic Christians are rooted in Scripture and rich in tradition passed down from the first disciples of Jesus Christ. They will come to understand that the Church is a community of believers into which they are baptized and called to evangelize.  Students discuss how to make good moral choices guided by the Commandments and Beatitudes as well as understand Catholic Social Teaching.  All students participate in the planning of Masses, various prayer services, service projects, devotions (Rosary, Eucharistic Adoration, Divine Mercy Chaplet, Novenas, Stations of the Cross) All students are encouraged to express their thoughts and feelings through formal, informal, private and communal prayer.  All students silently meditate for 4 minutes each day.

Holy Sepulcher School seeks to help our students grow in faith and to fulfill the promise of baptism by becoming believing, trusting, loving and participating members of the Catholic community and of the world.

The school stresses values that encourage students to accept others rather than exclude them, to understand the difference between right and wrong, and to commit themselves to serve God by serving others.

Our spiritual direction is also strengthened by Father Bober, pastor of Holy Sepulcher parish, who works closely with the school and visits the students often.

Lifelong health and fitness are emphasized with the importance of maintaining a healhty body, mind, and soul in physical education and reinforced through class discussions and structured activities. 

Act 89 is a state financed program designed to "provide auxiliary service to students attending nonpublic, nonprofit schools in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania."  Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV takes pride in the continued growth and professional quality of services provided to nonpublic schools since the program was first established by the legislature on August 1, 1975.

The following services are offered to Holy Sepulcher students by the Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV:

Speech and Language

The Speech and Language program is an auxillary health service for the nonpublic school population.  This service includes screening, diagnosis, therapy, ongoing evaluations and referral for students in grades K-8.

The program provides developmentally appropriate speech and language services to children whose speech and language skills interfere with satisfactory communication and/or deviate from accepted standards of their individual, social and cultural communities.  The main goal is to provide the child with the highest possible level of communication skills.  Areas of service include the improvement of the following:

• receptive and expressive language skills
• pragmatic language skills
• voice
• fluency
• articulation

The speech and language program operates in cooperation with the child's school for the improvement of written and oral communication skills. The classroom teacher and parents may be involved in practice exercises and monitoring.

First in Math Online Program

The First in Math online program by Suntex offers substantive content that supports any core math curriculum.  A student subscription gives the student practice opportunities from August 1 to June 30.  This program can be used anywhere there is a computer with internet access (Home, School Community).  Eight skill groups offer a full range of challenges and tie into national and state standards.  Students will advance at different rates according to their individual skill levels but all players shoudl experience improvements in numerical fluency and increased speed.

Students play individually but can compete on a team within the school, the state or the nation.  Teachers and principals can access Assessment Reports which show student/class performance and participation.

Elementary School Counseling Services

The purpose is to prepare all students academically and socially to contribute as productive members of society and to provide a comprehensive, developmental counseling program addressing the academic, career and personal/social development of all students.  The program implements the American School Counselor Association national standards.  These standards and competencies include:

• Academic Development
• Career Development
• Personal/Social

The elementary counselor will work as part of a team with teachers, parents, principal and others in the school community.  The counselor will meet with the students individually and/or in groups.  The counselor will help children and families cope with stressful life situations and will serve as a bridge to information about community resources.  Consulation to families and the school community about specific concerns is also a funcation of the elementary school counselor.

NWEA-MAP Testing (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS))

MAP Testing (formally known as DIBELS) is a set of measures used to assess early literacy and reading skills for students from kindergarten through sixth grade.

Map Testing can be used to:

• identify students who may be at risk for reading dificulties
• help teachers identify areas to target instructional support
• monitor at-risk students while they receive additonal, targeted instruction
• examine the effectiveness of instructional supports
• math skills for grades K and 1

Map Testing is designed to be an efficient, cost-effective tool used to help make decisions about reading and math instruction, to help the teacher provide support early and prevent the occurence of later reading and/or math difficulties.