At St. John the Baptist Catholic School, we believe music is an essential part of each student’s total educational experience. From preschool through grade eight, students are engaged in a variety of musical experiences, all of which are designed to foster their spiritual, emotional, physical, social, and intellectual development. These experiences include: the singing of both sacred and secular selections of music; performing music on a variety of instruments, both alone and with others; reading and notating music; listening to, analyzing and describing different types of music; improvising and composing; understanding music in relation to history and other cultures. Music at St. John the Baptist Catholic School is an opportunity for students to express both their creativity and individuality, as well as experience the joy of making music as part of a community.

The Physical Education Program at St. John the Baptist Catholic School focuses on students’ physical, social, and emotional development. All students will have the opportunity to participate in physical activities that promote teamwork, cooperation, taking responsibility, and respect for self and others. The Physical Education Program gives students the tools they need to achieve a healthy and physically fit lifestyle.

The foreign language standards are called the “Five C’s”: Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities. These five standards will provide the framework for instruction and learning in Spanish class. Throughout all grades the students will use the language to share and gather information, learn about other people and places, and build onto their own understanding of the world.

All grades will practice listening, vocabulary, conversation, writing and reading at their own developmental level.

The use of pictures, songs, acting, role plays, and cultural activities and projects will help students internalize and communicate. Each year builds upon the year before with expansion of the topics and vocabulary.

SJB has a mission to support all learners, and to that end, we provide extra monitoring and assistance for students identified as not meeting grade level benchmarks or expectations. The school uses small group instruction and modifications in and out of the classroom for students in need of extra support. The team of teachers and staff (including learning support staff), work together with each other and with parents to meet students’ needs and find solutions. We believe the school should be a place where all learners can find a safe and supportive place to grow.

The aims of art instruction at St. John the Baptist are to develop student knowledge of art history, production, purpose and tools, while cultivating creativity and self-expression. Students will develop basic skills and techniques in art using varied methods and materials. They will learn about artists and master works, mimicking the styles or methods in their own work. Students will explore reasons to create art, and ways art can be used to tell a story, make a statement or express an idea or feeling. Through guided selection of tools, projects, styles or modifications to a theme, students will grow in their confidence and independence as artists.