Children learn about individual Bible characters, the character traits they possess, the life of Jesus and Mary, and other common Biblical topics, which provides a strong education in the Bible and Christian character. Catholic traditions, practices, and Saints are woven throughout the year into the curriculum as well. Children are introduced to spontaneous prayer as well traditional prayers, which include the Sign of the Cross, Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Grace before Meals, and Angel of God.
The first grade program will lay the foundation for the children’s spiritual growth and development by enhancing their knowledge of the Catholic faith. This level teaches important faith concepts, including salvation, love, Baptism, the Holy Trinity, and the importance of Scripture. Children practice fundamental prayers, including the Sign of the Cross, Glory Be, Our Father, Hail Mary, Angel of God, and The Way of the Cross.
The structure and meaning of the Mass are emphasized throughout the year as students prepare for two sacraments, Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist. The catechesis helps children respond joyfully to God’s call to give themselves in love to God and others. This level also introduces children to the Church as the body of Christ and to Mary as Mother of the Church. Prayers include Morning Offering; Acts of Faith, Hope, and Love (short forms); Act of Contrition; Meal Prayers; Come, Holy Spirit (short form).
At this level, children learn the main truths that Catholics believe and express in the Apostles’ Creed. Children are called to the faith community and learn the ways Jesus is present to us during the Mass. The study and re-telling of Bible stories, especially those related to the mysteries of the rosary, continue. Children grow in their understanding of vocation, healing, and our response to God. Prayers include Morning Offering; Acts of Faith, Hope, and Love (short forms); Apostles’ Creed; Rosary; and Act of Contrition.
Children are introduced to the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes as guides for living. Catechists teach children that, as followers of Jesus, we must know these teachings and live them. This level also focuses on kinds of prayer, parts of the Bible, reconciliation, and the communion of saints. Prayers include Acts of Faith, Hope, and Love; Angelus; Hail, Holy Queen; Come, Holy Spirit; and The Way of the Cross.
Students deepen their understanding of celebration and worship through the Eucharistic liturgy. The Eucharist is presented as a gift from God through which to share divine life. Lessons include liturgical prayer and guide children to respond to God’s presence through prayer and loving service to others. The text focuses on the sacramental system and the paschal mystery. Prayers include Come, Holy Spirit; Queen of Heaven; prayers of the Mass; and Psalms
Students learn about God’s saving love as revealed in sacred Scripture, particularly in the Old Testament. This study of salvation history helps students gain a deeper appreciation of the person of Jesus Christ and his continued presence in the Church. Lessons also explore the book of Psalms, the concept of “sacred,” roots of the sacraments, symbols, and the perfection of God. New prayers include psalms and the Memorare to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Students learn about the teachings and mission of Jesus. They gain deeper understanding of the paschal mystery and ways to live the message of the Gospels. Students will see Christ as our way to the Father and grow in understanding and love of Jesus. This level, which explores journaling, also discusses respect for justice and the RCIA program. Prayers include Prayer to St. Michael, Act of Contrition (Rite of Reconciliation), Acts of Faith, Hope and Love, Prayer of St. Francis, and the Nicene Creed.
Students study the history of the Church with an emphasis on the Images, Models and Marks of the Church, and grow in an awareness of the mystery of the Church and its mission. Students are invited to value their union with Christ in the Church and to live according to Christ’s teachings. Lessons focus on the Liturgy of the Hours, reflective prayer, respect for life, the life of the Church, and the presence and action of the Holy Spirit.
9th Grade Fall Semester – Christian Essentials
Christian Essentials will introduce the work of apologetics. We will then explore how to communicate the truth logically & effectively, which will reinforce our apologetics skills. From that foundation, our study will shift into how we can understand God through reason and our observation about the created universe, how God communicates with us directly through the full deposit of faith, and finally close with an overview of the Trinity focused especially on the life and ministry of Jesus, during which we will employ a series of apologetic arguments.
9th Grade Spring Semester – Catholic Apologetics
Catholic Apologetics will cover a series of topics that are relevant to all of Christianity, but which have greater depth or different emphasis in Catholicism. Students will first explore the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist) and the Mass, followed by the remaining Sacraments (Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Marriage, & Holy Orders). We will then explore the Catholic perspective on the afterlife, with a special emphasis on Purgatory. In keeping with our Marist roots, we will provide an overview of how Mary, Our Lady, has worked in Church History, and also look closely at the Marist charism. Finally, we will close by conducting research into a wide range of saints.
10th Grade Fall Semester – Covenants & Salvation History
Covenants & Salvation History will give students an overview of the narrative story in the Bible, using The Great Adventure Bible Timeline from Ascension Press, developed by Jeff Cavins. We will start with an overview of best practices for reading and interpreting the Bible, then move our way through the narrative eras of the the Great Adventure, beginning with the Early World in Genesis, then focusing on important Old Testament figures who lead God’s chosen people in a covenant with God: Abraham, Jacob, Moses, & David. Our study of the Old Testament will close with a look at the prophets. Finally, we will examine the life & minitry of Jesus in the context of all that came before, especially how he fulfills all the promises that the Father made in the Old Testament.
10th Grade Spring Semester – Church History
Church History effectively begins at Pentecost, and so our study will begin with the Book of Acts, exploring the events and people that shaped the early Church – especially Sts. Peter & Paul. Students will also learn about the themes in St. Paul’s letters, which inform the Church going forward. After that, students will receive an overview of approximately 2000 years of history, with longer stops during the Roman Persecution, Early Religious Orders, the rise of European Nationalism, the Protestant Reformation, and finally the Church in the modern day, as shaped by the Second Vatican Council.
11th Grade Fall Semester – Philosophy & Human Nature
Philosophy & Human Nature will begin with a look at ancient Greek philosophers whose thinking informed one of the greatest theologians in the history of the Church: St. Thomas Aquinas. After laying that foundation, some of St. Thomas’s major teachings will shape our following units – the nature of human beings as rational creations, as well as our profound and unique connection to God, having been created in His image & likeness. We will then shift into Pope St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body and Life Issues, as our understanding of Human Nature will inform our appreciation of the life and dignity of the human person from conception to natural death. Finally, we will examine the Vatican II Declaration Nostra Aetate, which emphasizes our common humanity and our common goals, even if our belief systems vary. This will serve as a backdrop for us to close with interreligious dialogues.
11th Grade Spring Semester – Morality & Ethics
Morality & Ethics will cover Divine and Natural Law, and the systems of human laws that seek to understand God’s law (whether intentionally or not), but which ultimately fall short of capturing God’s law. From there, students will learn the essential qualities of Moral actions, including our inclination toward sin, how a good action can be rendered immoral by selfish intentions, and the importance of conscience. From there, we will explore practical guidelines given to us by God, including the Commandments, Beatitudes, and Virtues. Using C.S. Lewis’s The Screwtape Letters, we will explore various ways that we can slip into sin and hopelessness. Finally, we will close with an overview of Catholic Social Teaching, which helps us put our personal morality into action for society as a whole.
12th Grade – Catholic Social Teaching and Creativity, Activity & Service
More information to come.
Atlanta Humane Society – Pre-K through 5th grade students donate much needed pet supplies and cleaning products.
Ronald McDonald House Charities – At the beginning of the school year, Pre-K through 12th grade students donate snacks for the families who stay at RMH, a home away from home for the families of seriously ill children in Atlanta hospitals. Throughout the year, students collect pop tabs. The money generated by the pop tabs provides financial support for the many programs and services of RMH.
Country Gardens – 2nd graders make visits to Country Gardens, an assisted living facility in Duluth, playing games with the residents and making a craft with and for them.
Amigos for Christ -Pre-K through 12th grade donate new and “gently read” Spanish books during our Scholastic Book Fair for children and adults in Nicaragua at mission outreach locations of Amigos for Christ.
Hands of Christ: a Duluth Cooperative Ministry – Pre-K through 12th grade donate non-perishable food items twice a year to help families in need seeking assistance from Hands of Christ, a local food bank.
Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement – Pre-K through 12th grade participates in Chest of Drawers refugee resettlement outreach by donating new children’s clothes to refugee families who have been relocated to the metro Atlanta area.
Canine Assistants – 6th through 12th grade participates in “Stock the Farm” by donating much needed pet supplies, cleaning products and office supplies.
A Beacon of Hope – Pre-K through 12th grade students donate baby items for A Beacon of Hope, a faith-based, non-denominational, pregnancy crisis center. As a thank you, 7th grade students host a baby shower with games and treats for Pre-K through 5th grade.
Annandale Village – 8th grade students spend time interacting and forming relationships with the villagers, who are adults with developmental disabilities, four times during the school year.
Clyde’s Kitchen – Throughout the school year, small teams of 8th graders serve in the kitchen of Clyde’s Kitchen, a soup kitchen for the homeless in Atlanta.
Rainbow Village – Upper School Houses host “Fun Friday” activities for the children in their ACADEMY afterschool care program 8 times throughout the school year.