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Focus on Learning

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U G U S T I N E

CHAPTER 2
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C A D E M cY

EXPECTED SCHOOLWIDE LEARNING RESULTS

Mission Statement
In fidelity to the truths of our Holy Catholic Church, the mission of Saint Augustine Academy is to assist parents in their duty of fostering within their children growth in the theological, intellectual, and moral virtues. We strive in every task to inculcate in our students the profound insight of Saint Augustine: You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.

Statement of Philosophy
St. Augustine Academy derives her mission from the mission of the Family. To that end, we serve the parents in their duty to inculcate the theological, intellectual and moral virtues we do this through a specific type of education, in a communal environment and, above all, as a Catholic school. Education is more than academics; it is inculcation in a culture. As Sister Miriam Joseph, author of The Trivum, said, the function of the trivium is the training of the mind for the study of matter and spirit, which constitute the sum of reality. The fruit of education is culture, which Mathew Arnold defined as 'the knowledge of ourselves and the world.'" The intellectual culture at St. Augustine has been handed down to us through the traditions that have created Western Civilization, and we consciously employ the classical liberal arts of grammar, logic and rhetoric to teach the skills necessary for true intellectual, spiritual and moral freedom. In its commitment to the classical and medieval ideals which have animated western Catholic culture for two millennia, St. Augustine joyfully fills a unique niche in the Catholic school community. A basic understanding of Greek philosophy and Roman ideals gives focus to the overall curriculum of the academy. Likewise, the tools of the grammar, logic, and rhetoric, create the basis for the study of every subject, and students are taught how to use these tools across the spectrum of knowledge. It was in this tradition that our patron, St. Augustine of Hippo, was thoroughly imbued. This tradition helped to form and shape Western Civilization as we know it. At St. Augustine Academy, the curriculum and methods of instruction flow naturally from it.

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Community forms the heart of our Academy, and that community is a natural and organic one, as it centers squarely on the family. We operate on the Catholic principle that the family, rather than the institution, is or ought to be the primary educator of the young. Thus our most fundamental commitment is to assist parents in their duty to educate their children. Everything we do is ordered to that principle; indeed, we believe that it is our school's small size which allows us to meet that obligation in a profound and intimate way. It is our small size that permits us to be more than an institution. Indeed, St. Augustine is a community--not in the realm of the ideal but in the world of real, daily, frequent and personal interaction between administration, parents, faculty, students, and alumni. For this reason, our commitment is to assisting the parents in their duty to educate in order a wholesome, sheltering environment where each child can explore and develop his or her God-given talents. Not only are faculty and administration in continual communication with the parents, we are continually in dialogue with each other. Our meetings with the parents and with each other are often not scheduled or planned, but instead arise naturally out of the issues of a particular day or the needs of a particular student. Due to our size, this kind of organic communication is not only possible but effective. It is our belief that within this intimate-sized community of loving families and educators, the students of St. Augustine Academy are prepared to go into the world as thinking, caring, morally sound men and women. Finally, Saint Augustine Academy is, above all else, a Catholic community. In the words of our patron St. Augustine, we wish to "become what we receive" through the holy sacraments, through the tradition of the Church, and through the practice of God's presence in every facet of our work and relationships. In our small school we are able to work toward this "becoming," consciously, together, united in purpose and in charity. Our headmaster's desk bears a sign which reads, "It is better to build children than to repair men." We believe that a school should be a safe harbor for innocence and for joy. We believe that only in such a safe harbor, rather than the storms of the open sea, can seaworthy vessels be built. Those ships, our young people, are destined to leave the harbor for the perils--and the high adventure-- of their ocean voyages. To navigate those high seas, they will need spiritual, moral and intellectual tools. It is those tools that we, the parents, faculty and staff of St. Augustine Academy strive to give our children, united in our belief that at the end of the voyage, our children's and ours, is the one home port to which we all are bound. At St. Augustine Academy we pray together, united in faith and hope in Christ, "Our hearts are restless, Lord, until they rest in thee."
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Expected Schoolwide Learning Results

Saint Augustine Academy students grow in the theological, intellectual, and moral virtues, pursuing Heaven, the Truth, and the Good by becoming persons who:

THEOLOGICAL
1. Cultivate the theological virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity
2. Know, defend, and live the Holy Catholic Faith 3. Frequent Mass, the Sacraments, and traditional Catholic devotions 4. Show reverence to God and His Creation

INTELLECTUAL
1. Attain the tools of life-long learning: the liberal arts of grammar, logic, and rhetoric 2. Seek to understand what is true, desire what is good, and love what is beautiful 3. Explore the splendors of Creation through the precision of empirical science and mathematics 4. Examine, from a Christocentric perspective, human nature in history and in the master works of literature

MORAL
1. Form and inform a correct and Catholic conscience so as to better delight in the things one ought to delight in and to shun the things one ought to shun 2. Grow in virtue, which is the fruit and seed of morally good acts, making possible selfmastery, ease, and joy in leading a morally good life 3. Contribute to the common good of civil society by accepting the duties of citizenship, promoting the dignity and sanctity of all persons inherent in an authentic Culture of Life, and exercising stewardship over the natural world 4. Recognize the resounding call to life-long conversion of heart, thereby engendering compassion and forgiveness for our fellow man

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Lower School Version Expected Schoolwide Learning Results

Saint Augustine Academy students grow in the theological, intellectual, and moral virtues, pursuing Heaven, the Truth, and the Good. They will, through their formation at this school, be able to:

THEOLOGICAL
1. 2. 3. 4. Live their baptism Live their Catholic Faith Pray Be reverent

INTELLECTUAL
1. 2. 3. 4. Be learners Seek the true, the good, and the beautiful Explore Creation Study foundational stories

MORAL
1. 2. 3. 4. Form their conscience well Grow in virtue Be good citizens Convert their heart

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Signs of Expected Schoolwide Learning Results

THEOLOGICAL Saint Augustine Academy students grow in the theological virtues, pursuing Heaven, the Truth, and the Good by becoming persons who: cultivate the theological virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity. Anecdotes indicate instances of these virtues growing in the students. Students memorize baptismal date. Students satisfactorily complete the theology program. Students assist at weekly sacraments and participate in daily prayer. School provides students the experience of a Christocentric approach to all subjects. know, defend, and live the Holy Catholic Faith. Students express themselves in class as knowledgeable of the basic truths of the Faith. Students witness their Faith to others of diverse opinions and faiths. Students participate in the sacred rites of our Faith in school and in local communities. Students live a life of charity when helping others in need. frequent Mass, the Sacraments, and traditional Catholic devotions. Students assist at Mass, and are provided opportunity for Reconciliation Students participate in daily prayers of the school. Students lector, sing, and serve during Mass, Rosary, Benediction, etc. Students attend retreats when offered. show reverence to God and His Creation. Students are quiet and attentive during devotions. Students are respectful during schools chosen religious activities. Students show respect to visiting religious (priests and nuns) and families. Students practice stewardship of their environment, respecting Gods creatures as well as the material goods they use, e.g., desks, books, etc. Students are taught about respecting life from conception to natural death in several classes.

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INTELLECTUAL Saint Augustine Academy students grow in the intellectual virtues, pursuing Heaven, the Truth, and the Good by becoming persons who: attain the tools of life-long learning -- the liberal arts of grammar, logic, and rhetoric. Students demonstrate facility with basic knowledge of core subjects. Students demonstrate ability to analyze and interpret in the assessments within the core subjects. Students demonstrate the ability to write and speak with clarity. seek to understand what is true, desire what is good, and love what is beautiful. Students apply reason in the developing and answering of questions. Students demonstrate these pursuits through willing obedience, mutual cooperation, respectful manners and kindness toward others. Students demonstrate an ability to distinguish and appreciate Divine Beauty through the arts. Students observe the life of Christ through works of art. Students recognize great works of music. explore the splendors of Creation through the precision of empirical science and mathematics. Students demonstrate a satisfactory completion of each level of science and math in the school curriculum. Students successfully participate in diverse science-oriented field trips and demonstrations. Students use the scientific method as evidence of applied logic. examine, from a Christocentric perspective, human nature in history and in the master works of literature. Students demonstrate a satisfactory completion of each level of the theology and humanities courses in the school curriculum. Students integrate the influence of Jesus life on Earth with human history. Students ask intelligent questions of speakers who come to lecture on subjects in history. Students study Sacred Scripture. Students understand the role of moral truth in literature.
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MORAL Saint Augustine Academy students grow in the moral virtues, pursuing Heaven, the Truth, and the Good by becoming persons who: form and inform a correct and Catholic conscience so as to better delight in the things one ought to delight in and to shun the things one ought to shun.
Students participate in individual and group projects and choosing moral themes. (Thesis, Literature selection/evaluation/discussion). Students participate in Cultural Night Out. Students follow rules ordered toward liberty (music, dress, make-up). Students study the Bible, the life of Christ, and the lives of Saints. Students successfully complete Moral Theology class and other curricular demands which involve moral elements. Students receive exposure to appropriate media.

grow in virtue, which is the fruit and seed of morally good acts, making possible self-mastery, ease, and joy in leading a morally good life.
The collection of anecdotes indicates that campus culture includes student-initiated acts of charity, kindness, honesty, etc. Schoolwide behavioral expectations are ordered according to this principle. Students follow dress code and discipline system. Students perform community service hours/projects. Students study the lives of virtuous men and women. Students learn and demonstrate good sportsmanship. Student council is responsible for developing and carrying out appropriate activities which include the entire family.

contribute to the common good of civil society by accepting the duties of citizenship, promoting the dignity and sanctity of all persons inherent in an authentic Culture of Life, and exercising stewardship over the natural world.
Students display a welcoming attitude to visitors and new students. Students perform community service hours/projects. Students present musical concerts and visit with residents of local veterans home and retirement home. Students take responsibility for care of siblings and other family members. Students attend Speaker Series lectures. School participates in Recycling programs. Students are responsible for campus environment and cleanliness. Students, faculty and families attend Dignity of Life activities. Graduates take leadership roles in work, academia and their professions.
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 recognize the resounding call to life-long conversion of heart, thereby engendering compassion and forgiveness for our fellow man.
Anecdotal collection indicates compassion and aid to others. Student lead charity drives. Graduates represent Catholic virtues and participate in Catholic organizations throughout their lives. Faculty models and encourages forgiveness. Conflicts are resolved amicably. Students practice examination of conscience and frequent the sacrament of Reconciliation.

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ESLR Assessment Timeline

T Theological
T.1 T.2 T.3 T.4 Observations, lesson plans, anecdotes, ESLR inputs, Chapel, Service projects Report card grades all years, Chapel, Service projects and ESLR inputs Chapel and classroom daily prayers. Quarterly Rosary processions. Weekly Mass and confession. Observation in chapel, anecdotes, lessons in environmental responsibility, recycle bins.

I Intellectual
I.1 I.2 I.3 I.4 Ongoing, all year. See observations, lesson plans, October Speechmasters, calendar and student work. Ongoing, all year. See observations, lesson plans, anecdotes and ESLR inputs. Lesson plans and Report Card grades all years Lesson plans and Report Card grades all years

T - Moral
M.1 M.2 M.3 M.4 Calendar, spiritual activities (weekly and more) and handbooks. Anecdote box, Handbook enforcement and teacher meetings. Speaker series (monthly and annual pro-life talk), recycle containers/income, annual and weekly clean-up schedules. Anecdote box, ongoing guidance with students and graduate records.

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