Mat-Su school pilots classics-based Catholic curriculum

CatholicAnchor.org

This year Our Lady of the Valley Catholic School in Wasilla is piloting a new curriculum for the 4th and 5th grades, as it discerns whether to implement a classical approach to education throughout the K-8th grade school.

The school was founded eight years ago but with a change in administration last year, the school was at a natural point to pilot a new curriculum approach, said acting Principal Joyce Lund.

“A number of schools, private and even diocesan schools are finding growth and enthusiasm in the rediscovery of rigorous, classical liberal arts curriculum,” she said, noting that over the last 15 years classics-based schools have seen rapid expansion.

“Many Catholic schools have embraced the classical approach making a conscious choice to draw upon the richness of tradition,” Lund said.

According to Lund, parents were expressing a desire for an alternative to secular curriculum.

“Further, we wanted a more cohesive, complete curriculum for all subjects,” she said.

To that end, the staff researched Catholic schools across the nation and then Lund attended a classical curriculum education conference in Maryland to learn more. This gave her a chance to speak with principals and teachers who have implemented classical education in schools across the country.

The St. Jerome Curriculum, which the school finally opted for, has been featured on EWTN and is recognized nationally as a leader on this approach to education.

Lund said it is “an extremely comprehensive curriculum with methods that embrace “a Christian understanding of the world.”

Heather Grisso who teaches a 4th and 5th grade combined class noted that the new curriculum helps to foster a love for the faith through quality instruction.

“To have a deep, rich love of their faith and Catholic identity — because we’re all striving to be saints — what more could you want for your children?” she said.

Lund outlined the school’s goal with the new curriculum.

“When you have the cohesive direction to integrate the academic studies with religion, it enhances the ability to attain your mission as a Catholic school,” she said. “We’re anticipating that our students will acquire a more integrated understanding of the history, literature, art, traditions and philosophy of the Catholic faith.”

School officials also observed that using a Catholic and classics-based curriculum will define them more clearly as a Catholic school.

Grisso expressed enthusiasm about how the new curriculum taps into a child’s natural strength for memorization to learn the rules of grammar.

She also highlighted the fact that the curriculum uses the “History of the World” book by respected classics scholar Susan Wise-Bauer. The book explores the church’s role throughout history and includes such figures and events as Elizabeth I, the Napoleonic Wars and the first Thanksgiving.

“The children love it,” she said.

The school also uses the recommended texts for math, science and Latin. In Latin students are memorizing prayers, learned mostly through song.

“It really builds the fundamentals of the English language,” Grisso explained, “because so much is rooted in Latin.”

The pilot curriculum has been well received by many students and parents.

Wasilla resident Tonya Campbell has a daughter in the pilot program. She and her husband decided to put their children back in school after years of homeschooling. They were looking at several options between public schools and various Christian schools in the Mat-Su Valley. The classical curriculum swayed them toward Our Lady of the Valley.

“These changes are why we chose Our Lady of the Valley for our children,” Campbell said. “I’m excited about the changes. I’m excited that it’s classical and that it’s Catholic-based.”

“We’re only four weeks into the school year,” she added, “and our daughter has been enjoying it quite a bit.”

The school plans to review and analyze the impact of the new curriculum on the school at the end of the first semester. If indicators are favorable the school plans to submit it for further approval and implementation under the guidance of Sacred Heart pastor, Father Scott Garrett and archdiocesan staff.