Holy Name of Jesus School

HNJ Curriculum

Return Home

Religion

     The Religion curriculum carefully blends child development with faith and moral development and promotes continuing growth in religious literacy, understanding, and practice.  The Pre-Kindergarten students begin the Catholic education with I am Special.  We Believe provides the basis of formation and instruction from K-6.  Knowing Our Faith from Loyola Press program draws middle school students into a relationship with Jesus Christ and continues with the study of New Testament, Liturgy and Morality in mini-courses by Sadlier.

Math

     The Saxon K-4 series is a hands-on, success-oriented program that emphasizes manipulatives and mental math.  This primary based program is designed for a multisensory approach to teaching, enabling the students to develop a solid foundation in the language and basic concepts of math.  The Saxon 4-7 series builds upon the hands-on, activity centered approach and shifts the focus gradually from the use of concrete objects to mathematical modeling and problem solving using pencil and paper.  Saxon math is based upon incremental development, continual practice, and review, and cumulative assessments at regular intervals.  The program concludes with Algebra 1/2.

Language Arts

     Open Court reading is a research-based curriculum grounded in systematic, explicit, instruction of phonemic awareness, phonics and word knowledge, comprehension skills and strategies, inquiry skills and strategies, and writing and language arts skills and strategies.  Reading fine literature is one of the founding principles of Open Court reading.  As the children read classic and contemporary literature, they discover the importance of clarity of thought and word.  Middle School students explore classic and contemporary literature in many genres, including the novel.  Prentice Hall literature is the foundation of the literature program.  Holy Name also uses Voyages in English, a writing and grammar series for grades 5-7 providing the instruction, practice and reinforcement needed for students to master crucial writing and grammar skills.  Grades 1-4 use Houghton-Mifflin English.

Science

     The FOSS Program is correlated to human cognitive development.  The research indicates that students learn science best from direct experience in which they describe, sort and organize observations about objects and organisms.

      Prentice-Hall Science Explorer is a middle school (grades 5-7) hands-on, content rich program which enables the teacher to lead students through explorations of specific concepts within Life, Earth and Physical Science.

Social Studies

     The social studies curriculum using Macmillan's The World around Us takes our students from the study of neighborhood and community to the study of cities and states to the study of the world through history and geography.  Students have a variety of learning experiences that develop the knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes necessary for full participation as citizens in a culturally diverse, global society.  The middle school uses the Prentice Hall World Explorer series, which balances history, geography and culture of the regions studied.

Spanish

     Spanish is taught to the whole school, except Pre-K.  Kindergarten and first grade students have Spanish once a week for thirty minutes.  Second through fourth grades have Spanish once a week for fifty minutes.  Middle school students have Spanish every day for nine weeks (one quarter).

      The children learn all the necessary skills for communication in a foreign language:  speaking, listening, reading and writing. By the time a seventh grader leaves HNJ, the child has all the important knowledge to be successful in Spanish at any high school.

     The classes are dynamic and vary from one week to another in order to motivate and surprise the children.  The students watch movies in Spanish, sing thematic songs, dance, play games and celebrate all holidays with special vocabulary and cultural activities. Spanish learning doesn’t end when the child leaves school for the day; all the students have access to Edline, where games and interesting activities are posted daily for Spanish practice.

          Children can’t wait until Spanish class!   SPANISH IS FUN!

Physical Education

     All students participate in physical education at least once a week.  Pre-Kindergarten through first grade students have P.E. once a week.  Second, third, and fourth graders have P.E. twice a week and middle school (5-7) students have P.E. every day.

Art

       Lower School (K-4) students attend these classes once a week.  Middle School (5-7) students attend these classes for one quarter (every day for nine weeks).   This provides for more continuity in the learning process.

Computer

     Lower School (K-4) students attend computer classes once a week.  Middle School (Grades 5-7) students attend computer for one complete quarter.  The computer curriculum, based on the National Educational Technology Standards, challenges students with independent, creative, and educational assignments that stimulate and promote the growth of their computer literacy skills.  Keyboarding is taught by using the "touch" method with covered keyboards.  Students are taught how to use online information resources efficiently for research, publications, communications, and productivity.  Netiquette safety (safe Internet surfing techniques), acceptable and responsible use of technology systems and software are also covered in this class.  Students will learn and apply basic and advanced computer functions, skills, and techniques.  The students learn how to use their computer as a valuable learning tool.

Music

     Music is currently taught to grades Pre K through 4.  Pre K and K have music twice a week for 30 minutes.  First grade has music once a week for 30 minutes.  Second, Third, and Fourth graders have music once a week for 45 minutes.  The goal of the music curriculum is to inspire a life-long love of music by presenting it in a developmentally appropriate way.  The curriculum includes singing, playing instruments, movement, listening, and when appropriate, learning to read music, with the emphasis on active participation and fun.

Library

     All students and faculty utilize our library, which contains over 12,000 volumes including fiction, nonfiction, and reference books.  The card catalog is fully automated and can be accessed from four computers in the library.  An extensive video library enhances and enriches our curriculum. 

Extracurricular Programs

     Extracurricular activities include Altar Servers, Beta Club, Boy Scouts, Brownies, Cheerleading, Choir, Cub Scouts, Drama, Library Club, Mission Club, School Newspaper, and Quiz Bowl.

Athletics

     Holy Name is a member of the Metro Middle School League of New Orleans.  Students are eligible to participate in the following sports:  Flag Football, Volleyball, Swimming, Basketball, Soccer, Cross Country, Tennis, Baseball, and Golf.

     Third and fourth graders play intramural flag football, volleyball, and basketball during their P.E. period.

After School Care

      Our after school care program, "Later Gators", operates from dismissal until 6:00 p.m.  

Technology

     Holy Name of Jesus is technology rich with a ratio of 1 computer to every 2.5 students.  All classrooms have at least one computer and printer.

     The primary computer lab is equipped with 40 Pentium IV or higher computers, digital cameras,  and interactive white IBID board and projection system.  Internet access is available at all work stations throughout the school.  Internet security and filtering are provided through the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

     The auditorium is equipped with Internet access, a computer and projection system for student projects and large group programs.  The lobby area on the first floor of the building is also equipped with a projection system and computer for student projects and small group programs.

     The Middle School Science Lab has state of the art equipment purchased with funding from a State of Louisiana competitive grant.  The weather station on the roof is connected to computers and digital display units around the school as well as to a worldwide network of similar stations.  Interactive digital whiteboards and projection systems, as well as graphing calculators, microscopes and probeware enhance the use of technology across the curriculum.  Another classroom in the school has recently been equipped with a wireless mobile Science Lab.  This includes 14 wireless laptop computers, printer, projection system and other peripherals.