Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School provides its students with a rigorous curriculum that meets and exceeds the highest standards in education. Our curriculum is aligned to the Grade Level Expectations and Standards of the Comprehensive Curriculum and is vertically aligned across grade levels in the areas of language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and religion. Technology is integrated into each content area in order to enhance learning and prepare students for the future.
OLF continues to research and study educational programs in order to select those that best meet the needs of our students. Our lower elementary students receive strong phonics-based reading instruction, which lays the foundation for reading success and prepares them for the rigors of upper elementary reading and junior high literature study. Writing is a main focus of the language arts curriculum teaching students both oral and written communication. Our math and science programs focus on grade level skills and include STREAM activities that are completed both in the classroom and in the STREAM lab. We select programs that will provide a strong educational foundation, differentiation opportunities, and critical thinking skills. At the core of all instruction is our religious education program, a program that provides instruction in our Catholic faith from Pre-K3 through 8th grade.
Grading
The purpose of grading is to give some indication of a student’s progress. Teachers remain objective and
give as true a picture as possible when assigning quarterly grades. In order to minimize the emphasis placed on
grades for Pre-K through first grade, the traditional A, B, C grading scale is not used. Special grading systems
that give parents an indication of progress while protecting the child’s self-esteem have been adopted. Parents
are encouraged to regularly check their progress (grades) on Renweb, the school’s management system.
The grading scale used in grade 2-8 is:
A – 94-100
B – 87-93
C – 78-86
D – 70-77
F – 69 and below
More is involved in the grading process than strictly averaging test grades. The quarterly grade may take
into account responsibility in getting homework completed on time, getting papers signed and returned and
participation in class.
In averaging quarterly report card grades to arrive at a final grade for the year, a student must 1) have a minimum of 70%, 2) pass the final quarter, 3) be in regular attendance throughout the school year, and 4) participate in and complete all other class assignments for the student to earn a passing grade for a course.
Students should meet the four (4) requirements above to be considered for promotion.
Students in grades 4-8 with failing grades for one subject are promoted on the condition that they make
up the deficiency in an approved summer school. Students are NOT given credit for private tutoring. Students
who do not receive credit in summer school must repeat the grade.
Students who fail two (2) subjects (excluding P.E., Spelling, or Enrichment) are required to repeat the
grade regardless of whether they attend summer school.
Students may repeat a grade at Our Lady of Fatima only once. A student who fails a grade for the second time is
required to repeat it at another school. A student may repeat only two separate grades to remain at school
unless other circumstances determined by the administration would not allow the second repetition. Parents
may not hold back students who are promoted in grades 4-8. If a student has to repeat seventh or eighth grade, administration will make the decision about appropriateness to continue at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School.
Section Assignments
Much consideration goes into the placement of students in a particular teacher’s classroom. The
administration makes the decision based on information provided by teachers and counselors. The process is
random in nature. Parent’s requests cannot be honored, but parents may give information that could help the
process.
Awards/Special Recognition
Students are recognized throughout the year for exemplary progress in academics. In addition, groups of awards are given out at ceremonies that close out each school year. These awards cover the areas of academics, character, citizenship and athletics.