St. Mary's utilizes differentiated instruction to address the individual needs of students. Differentiated instruction is used by every teacher in every grade level, Montessori through Grade 5. This means that teachers monitor each student to see “where they are” in any given lesson. Students who need more challenge receive it, and students who need more support receive it. Everyone has the same lesson goals, but everyone reaches them (and many exceed them) in different ways. St. Mary's ensures that each student gets what they need.
Some students work well beyond their grade level in various subjects, and instruction is provided that matches their ability. Others need additional help in certain areas, and they are given the assistance they need. Students may have different homework, read different books, or work in small groups with others at the same level. Because this is a consistent practice in the classrooms, it is essentially “invisible” to students.
For children who need truly accelerated learning, enrichment serves to meet the educational needs of students in who will thrive in an environment with a self-directed and inter-disciplinary model of instruction.
Accelerated learning is open to students who have met specific criteria. Children will have demonstrated the ability to set and work towards goals and to take responsibility for their learning by working independently. Invitations for admission are based upon standardized assessment results and successful completion of prior classroom projects. Students exhibit: