Facebook X (Twitter)

Academics

- The Diocese of Nashville has developed a comprehensive curriculum and instructional standards through ongoing collaboration with teachers and administration. The curriculum at Saint Ann School fully meets and exceeds diocesan expectations. In developing our unique instructional program, Saint Ann School faculty routinely seeks state and national standards as important, rigorous benchmarks towards which to strive. Ongoing student assessment demonstrates our program is highly successful. As a school, our yearly standardized testing puts us in the top percentage of schools nationwide and within the Diocese of Nashville. Our regular student assessments, and our ongoing tracking of students performance scores, allow us to be proactive in ensuring students get additional instruction in the areas of most need.
  
  Saint Ann School offers one class per grade level for students in grades pre-K through 8. Grades K-4 are self-contained, while grades 5 - 8 are departmentalized. A part-time counselor is on staff to assist students as needed. The goal of the curriculum is to work towards development of foundational academic skills, and to help students build the academic skills necessary for success in high school. Evidence of this commitment to a "forward looking curriculum" can be seen in our extensive use of cutting edge technology such as our 1:1 laptop program in grades 5-8, the introduction of classroom technology in grades pre-K -4, our foreign language program and the emphasis on student responsibility and leadership.
  
  Core subjects form the basis of the curriculum per guidelines of the Diocese of Nashville. Instruction in religion, computer science, physical education and the fine arts are a required part of this program. Children celebrate Mass each week. Service projects in the community are an essential component of Saint Ann School. Students participate in various enrichment programs and clubs. A program of competitive sports is available under the auspices of the Diocesan Athletic Council. Self-discipline is the goal for each student.
  
  Our size allows students ample opportunity to get involved in all aspects of the Saint Ann School experience. Students are not lost in the crowd, but rather are encouraged as individuals to take on new challenges through involvement in school activities.
  
  Academic Subjects
  
  The subjects taught are:
  
  Religion-Catholic Christian Doctrine, Scripture, Prayer and Morality
  
  Language Arts- Phonics, Reading/Literature, English/Grammar, Composition, Spelling, and Vocabulary
  
  Mathematics- Math Concepts, Pre-Algebra and Algebra (for qualifying students)
  
  Science
  
  Health/Fitness
  
  Global Studies
  
  Visual Arts
  
  Music Arts
  
  ~~Theatre Arts~~
  
  Technology Instruction (grades 3-8)
  
  Spanish
  
  Library Skills
  
  Standardized Tests
  
  Each year all Catholic Schools in the Diocese administer a series of standardized tests as a means of knowing each child better and thereby improving the instructional program as it relates to the child as an individual and to the class as a whole. It is not the policy of Saint Ann School to release scores of the child to anyone other than the child’s parents.
  
  Iowa Test Scores: A Tradition of Excellence: Each year, the Iowa Test of Basic Skills score puts Saint Ann School in the top percentage of schools nationwide as well as within the Catholic Diocese of Nashville. These tests are one of the tools we use to both evaluate the school's overall curriculum but also to assess individual student progress. For every student, we annually chart each of the fifteen subcategories on the test to ensure that students are making appropriate yearly achievement gains.
  
  Reniassance STAR Assessment: Reading and Math: Quarterly, students 1st-8th take the STAR reading and math online assessment. This allows teachers real-time data to ensure students are growing throughout the year. The benchmark assessments are given in August where goals for October, January, and March are mapped and monitored. The assessment takes roughly 45 minutes and gives teachers individualized information for each student. Data analysis is completed quarterly with the school administration.
  
  Electives
  
  Saint Ann School offers a wide variety of elective classes for students in 5th through 8th grade. Students are eligible to take two electives per semester. Some of our most popular electives are:
  
  LEGO Robotics
  
  Musical (theatre)
  
  3D Printing and Design
  
  Math Competition Team
  
  Sports Training
  
  Study Hall
  
  Battle of the Books (Diocesan competition)
  
  Forensics