Academics

Academics at Our Lady of Grace School

We provide a rigorous curriculum and prepare students to be lifelong learners.

The hallmark of a Catholic education is academic excellence. We believe that becoming our best selves is the greatest honor we can give to God. Our core curriculum at Our Lady of Grace includes religion, reading and literature, language arts, science, history, and math. Held to rigorous Diocesan standards, each subject meets or exceeds the standards required of California state public schools. We value the involvement of our families as we work together to facilitate a well-rounded Catholic education. We encourage students to think critically, apply knowledge creatively, and strive for their personal best.

We develop the whole child academically, physically, emotionally and spiritually through a variety of educational activities including Physical Education, Music, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Yearbook, Study Skills and Critical Thinking classes. These are accompanied by opportunities for recreational and spiritual enrichment. Acknowledging the uniqueness of each student, our dedicated faculty helps children develop a positive self-image and a sense of self-discipline through virtue education and through the OLG schoolwide learning expectations. At Our Lady of Grace we are blessed to have a Resource Team that supports the needs of each student.

Learning Expectations

Only our best.

  • I participate in my lessons.
  • I want to learn new things.
  • I try to solve problems and find answers.
  • I listen carefully. 
  • I follow directions.

Love from the heart.

  • I show respect for everyone. 
  • I show respect for myself.
  • I treat others with kindness, patience and love.

Gospel values.

  • I care for and help my classroom and school community.
  • I say my prayers reverently.
  • I follow the teachings of Jesus in my words and in my actions.

Learning Expectations

Only our best.

  • I participate in my lessons.
  • I want to learn new things.
  • I try to solve problems and find answers.
  • I listen carefully. 
  • I follow directions.

Love from the heart.

  • I show respect for everyone. 
  • I show respect for myself.
  • I treat others with kindness, patience and love.

Gospel values.

  • I care for and help my classroom and school community.
  • I say my prayers reverently.
  • I follow the teachings of Jesus in my words and in my actions.

Enrichment Programs

Our Lady of Grace students are given numerous opportunities for enrichment activity throughout the course of the school year. OLG continues to offer our students courses in:

Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Music, and Physical Education for all grades

Optional Enrichments are also available to students:

Band, Baton, Choir, Christmas Nativity Performance, and Spring Performance.

Our Lady of Grace Transitional Kindergarten values the Catholic tradition of educational excellence, dedicated to the development of the whole child. Our program is designed to enhance the spiritual, moral, psychological, physical, social, and academic growth of each child.

TK represents a bridge between preschool and traditional Kindergarten. The specialized curriculum is aligned with the Common Core Kindergarten standards, but is designed explicitly to support the social, emotional, physical, and academic needs of 4 & young 5 year olds. It is designed to build self-confidence and foster social development in a loving and supportive faith based environment.

The structured class is a full 8:00-2:30, five day a week program that includes many opportunities for social-emotional development, fine- and gross-motor activities, and oral/written language development for all styles of learners.

Our Lady of Grace School is a participating member of the Parochial Athletic League (P.A.L.) which is comprised of the other Catholic Elementary Schools within our Diocese.

The objectives of athletics at Our Lady of Grace School are as follows:

  • To instill Christian sportsmanship in the lifestyle of the participants
  • To give participants the opportunity to learn how to win, lose, and compete with dignity.
  • To develop school spirit, team spirit, and personal acceptance.
  • To develop acceptance and appreciation of others.
  • To develop the participant’s physical abilities and coordination.
  • To teach the positive value of recreation.

 

Download more information about Tiger Athletics

Field trips provide the students to learn in a different way outside the traditional classroom setting. OLG offers a variety of field trips by class which are related to each grade levels curriculum and standards.

Our Lady of Grace participates in several academic competitions within the Sacramento Diocese. Academic Competitions allow an opportunity for OLG to challenge the academically talented and hardworking students and to help keep them engaged and motivated.

  • Speech Contest- 7th and 8th graders
  • Religious Decathlon- 5th and 6th graders
  • Academic Decathlon- 6th-8th graders
  • Mental Math Bowl- 1st-5th graders

Our Lady of Grace uses multiple measures (multiple sources of evidence of varying types) to evaluate skills and knowledge of our students. OLG understands that one or two tests should never be the sole indicators of our students’ achievement and that assessment and testing should never overwhelm a student’s classroom experience.

OLG uses Renaissance STAR Math and Reading (1st-8th grade) and STAR Early Literacy (Transitional Kindergarten- Kindergarten) online Assessment programs throughout the year to screen student proficiency levels and so teachers can monitor progress and determine appropriate instructional levels.

Additional summative and formative assessment includes: Accelerated Readers, teacher observations; in class tests, essays, tasks, projects, and presentations.

Students are Leaders at Our Lady of Grace School

We believe all students are leaders and can be successful members of society.

Our Lady of Grace Student Council is committed to providing a safe, spiritual, and welcoming environment rooted in respect and nurturing individual self-worth.

Student Council members lead and assist:

  • Morning Announcements
  • Student Activities
  • School Rallies
  • Service Projects

Our Lady of Grace Campus Ministry is committed to helping support the teaching of Jesus through gospel values, devotional traditions & practices of the Roman Catholic Church. They are committed to providing a safe, spiritual & welcoming environment rooted in respect & nurtures individual self-worth.

Campus ministers will lead or assist with the following:

  • Morning prayer and prayer services
  • Retreats for all ages
  • Faith Family activities
  • Service activities (For example: host food drive, campus and community clean up, and partnering with church groups for needs, etc.)
  • Plan events that correspond with the Liturgical Calendar

“Enter To Learn, Leave To Serve.”

Our Lady of Grace students are to show a commitment to volunteerism and public service. All students contribute to community service through projects conducted during the school year. To better affirm and express Our Lady of Grace’s dedication to the Christian charity, love from the heart, and Gospel values, each class will implement a service plan.

Hot Lunch

OLG offers a daily hot lunch program prepared onsite. Families have an option to pre-order lunches conveniently though the student information system each month. Families can easily print out their menu or check the website to reference their order.

Extended Day Program

OLG offers an after school Extension program that runs from dismissal until 5:30 pm Monday-Friday, with the exception of Holidays or certain pre-announced dates. Parents who need Extension care for their students must fill out the registration form prior to having their students admitted to Extension. We also offer a Drop-In rate for same day unscheduled care.