Mathematics

St. Paul uses the Saxon math program. In the primary grades (1-3), the program is taught at grade level and consists of five components: the Daily Meeting, the Lesson, Written Practice, Facts Practice, and Oral and Written Assessments. In the intermediate and middle grades (4-8), mathematics is taught simultaneously throughout the school and students are placed in a math class that corresponds to their ability level and achievement. Thus, a 7^th grade student may be placed in a 7^th grade math class, 8^th grade pre-algebra class, Algebra I or Algebra II class. Accelerated Math provides additional skill building and challenges. New students entering these grades are given a placement test.

The goal of mathematics instruction at St. Paul is to challenge each student without frustrating them. It is designed to provide a stimulating environment for both students in need of remediation and those students gifted in mathematics. Gifted students in mathematics have an opportunity to complete a high school level Algebra I class in 8^th grade and an Algebra II class which uses the Florida Virtual School program.

The success of the Saxon math program at St. Paul is demonstrated by the results of the SAT (Stanford Achievement Test) scores. For a number of years the school average has been above the 70^th percentile. Class averages in the Middle School (6, 7, and 8^th grades) have been above the 80^th and 90^th percentile. A math specialist assists classroom teachers by monitoring student progress and analyzing test results. Information from student tests is used to advise teachers which concepts to review and which students need remediation.

Religion

St. Paul Lutheran School is a Christian school. That means in all that we do, we try to hold Christ up to the forefront and demonstrate Christian ideals to those with whom we come into contact. Christianity is at the core of everything we do and is the driving force behind everything we do, especially in the areas of curriculum, discipline, and special events.

Although our school is a Lutheran School, run and supported by St. Paul Lutheran Church, most of our religion materials are produced by Concordia Publishing House, a Lutheran publishing company. We place a strong emphasis on the relationship we establish with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We identify and discuss similarities and differences in the various Christian denominations, yet focus on the key bond; our relationship to Jesus Christ, and the free gift of eternal life. Law and Gospel, grace, and forgiveness are all important guiding words in our daily lives at St. Paul Lutheran School. About fifty percent of our students are not Lutheran.

Spanish

Spanish at St. Paul Lutheran School is committed to excellence. In Spanish classes, students learn to read, write and converse in the language. Students in grades 1 through 8 are exposed to a stimulating language learning environment, which includes physical activities and multimedia materials.

Emphasis is placed on a development of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills and an acquisition of the fundamentals of applied grammar. Cross-cultural understanding is fostered and real-life applications are emphasized through the course. Some geography about the countries of South America, Central America, Mexico and Spain is also introduced during this course in the middle school.

The main objective of the Spanish program is to help students attain an acceptable degree of proficiency in a relaxed manner and to introduce children to the cultures of Spanish speaking people. Older students are exposed to a junior high / high school Spanish curriculum, designed to create an atmosphere of challenge, variety, cooperation, and enjoyment.

Language Arts

The Language Arts program is an essential ingredient in the educational process at St. Paul. Reading, writing, speaking, listening, and spelling components are integrated into appropriate levels from preschool through eighth grade.

Language Arts instruction is multifaceted. Traditional teaching methods are intertwined with group projects and creative expression. Various computer applications also enhance study. The Accelerated Reader program builds comprehension and increases a student’s reading level.

Reading is an anchor of the program. Students are frequently read to by teachers during class or by other adults (S.T.A.R.); younger children read with older children (Buddies); independent readers take part in teacher-directed groups as well as the individualized Accelerated Reader Program.

Students learn to express themselves orally and in written form. Spelling bees, debates, Poetry Reading Day and speeches are held. Writing across the curriculum takes place in the form of science, social studies, and religion essays. Keeping journals as well as writing poems, skits, and stories develop creative expression. Some of our students have had work published and/or entered into various contests.

Off campus field trips to local plays and newspaper publications heighten the students’ awareness of language arts in the community. Various storytellers and speakers have been brought on campus to round out our program.

As our students work toward mastering the skills involved in language arts, the primary goal is for the Christian student to shape all written and verbal communication to the service and glory of God.

Music

Link to our Fine Arts page

Social Studies

St. Paul Lutheran School Social Studies program is designed to support the purpose of social science education as stated by the National Council for Social Science. This purpose is to “help students develop the ability to make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good a citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world.” Our instruction at all levels represents contemporary thinking in the content areas of history, geography, civics, government, and economics.

Science

The mission of our Science Department is to inspire children to have inquisitive minds.  To do this, we seek to help students to acquire the skills necessary to: become logical problem-solvers, work cooperatively in groups, and be able to use all types of traditional and modern resources to find answers to their questions.

The Science Curriculum at St. Paul Lutheran School has been designed to provide students with a comprehensive overview of all areas of science, using interactive lessons and other innovative uses of technology. The concept of the scientific method is introduced as early as preschool, and is reinforced continuously from pre-K to 8th grade.  Traditional textbook and teacher-directed learning is enhanced by the use of slide presentations, online video clips, laboratory work, hands-on activities, group work, and demonstrations. A classroom set of laptops is used extensively for research and writing, as well as for “webquests,” interactive activities, and virtual labs.  We believe that our students learn to see the beauty of God’s creation with the inquiring minds of budding scientists.

Middle school students use a motion detector interfaced with a graphing calculator and computer software to view a graphic representation of velocity and acceleration.

Technology

There are over 200 computer workstations on the campus of St. Paul Lutheran School. Thirty-two of these computers are found in the computer lab, fifteen in the library, with others being dispersed throughout all the classrooms, the Spanish lab, and the administration offices. All of the computers are networked together, sharing word processing and over 60 software programs. Our programs include various levels of mathematics, language arts, science and social studies. Each computer has Internet access, a valuable research tool for teachers and students alike.

We have two sets of 30 laptop computers, located on two moveable carts. This enables teachers to use computers in their classrooms, using wireless technology, with the entire class so students can access the Internet from any classroom or work on Microsoft Word, Publisher, or PowerPoint for class assignments. Teachers check out the laptop carts and use the laptops in grades 3 to 8.

Word processing and typing skills are taught from grades 2 through 8. The Internet is accessed and taught to students in grades 4 and higher. Various projects using Internet resources are required in those grades. In grades 4 through 8 various computer technology areas are taught. These areas include desktop publishing, graphics, word processing, spreadsheets, multimedia and applied technology.

Each classroom has a TV and VCR/DVD player with cable television hookups. The TV is used for showing educational programs and viewing VCR tapes or DVD discs. There are eight multimedia carts throughout the school. Equipment on these carts includes a wireless laptop computer, a LCD projector, a set of speakers, and a combined VHS/DVD player. Teachers use the equipment on these carts to demonstrate projects, movies, download and project images, and Internet lessons. Ceiling mounted projectors and wall screens have been added to seven classrooms. Five classrooms now have audio systems with a teacher microphone so all children in those rooms can hear the teacher clearly throughout the room. A laptop tablet connected wirelessly to the projector in those five rooms allows the teacher to access the Internet or show other work to the students while teaching. Document cameras are used in five classrooms, allowing students to see a projection of a paper, maps, books or three-dimensional objects the teacher has chosen to be viewed. Additional classrooms will be equipped with the laptop tablet, ceiling mounted projectors, document cameras and audio sound systems by the summer of 2008.

St. Paul Lutheran School is now using Edline, a tool that hosts school information online, to host our classroom web pages, weekly newsletters, assignments and grades. Parents can access grades by using their access code and password. Teachers post grades at least once a week and Edline provides an excellent way for parents to stay aware of how their child is progressing in school.

As technology improvements are made in our world, St. Paul Lutheran School strives to incorporate those improvements into its teaching methods. Teachers attend computer and technology training sessions to continue to update their own knowledge and use of technology. The school board, principal, and teachers are committed to the implementation and improvement of technology at St. Paul Lutheran School. This will benefit all the children of St. Paul Lutheran School and empower them in an increasingly technological world.

Fine Arts

Link to our Fine Arts page

Class Trips

St. Paul Lutheran School’s philosophy of learning outside the classroom encourages all students in grades one through eight to experience varied one day or partial day field trips. These are enriching and bring to life the studies the students have experienced during the school year. Overnight trips are sponsored for fourth, seventh, and eighth grade students.

The fourth grade studies Florida History. What better way to observe Florida’s history than by visiting St. Augustine? With its colonial flavor, the oldest school house in the United States, its wonderful museums, the city helps to clarify what the children have studied all year.

The seventh grade studies marine life as part of the science curriculum. Three days of snorkeling and marine studies in the Florida Keys at Sea Camp is a popular field trip. Swimming with nurse sharks and finding baby shrimp in sponges are all part of this hands-on experience. The students are really immersed in these studies.

The eighth grade social studies emphasize civics and American government. As a culmination, the classes travel to Washington, D.C. to witness government in action. Besides seeing Congress and Supreme Court Buildings, major museums such as the Smithsonian Institute are visited. Arlington National Cemetery, Ford’s Theater, Mount Vernon, various monuments, and the Bureau of Engraving are other places we may tour. This off campus learning can be described as historical, informational, and educational.

All grades 2^nd – 8^th take numerous one-day educational trips.

Athletics

Link to our Athletics page