Day School

Project Work

At St. James, our PreK-3 through 5th grade curriculum  incorporates Project Work, an inquiry-based approach to learning inspired by the research of Lillian Katz and Sylvia Chard. Through carefully designed investigations of meaningful topics, students are encouraged to explore their interests, ask questions, conduct research, and share their discoveries with others.

Project Work fosters curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving as children engage in hands-on experiences and real-world learning. Students work collaboratively to gather information through observation, interviews, field experiences, books, and other resources, developing a deeper understanding of the world around them.

English & Language Arts

Foundational Literacy Instruction (Grades K–2)

In Kindergarten through 2nd grade, students receive explicit, systematic instruction in the foundational skills necessary for reading success. Our literacy program is grounded in the Science of Reading and teaches phonemic awareness, phonics, decoding, spelling, fluency, and word recognition through a carefully structured sequence of lessons.

Students engage in daily, interactive learning experiences that build their understanding of how sounds and letters work together to form words. New skills are introduced clearly, practiced consistently, and reviewed regularly to ensure mastery and long-term retention.

This research-based approach supports all learners by providing strong foundational reading skills while also offering targeted support for students who need additional instruction. By developing confident and capable readers in the primary grades, we prepare students for success across all academic areas and foster a lifelong love of learning.

This version reads well on a curriculum webpage and emphasizes your school’s commitment to evidence-based reading instruction without sounding overly technical.

Writing Instruction

Our writing program provides students with a clear, structured approach to becoming confident and effective communicators. Through explicit instruction and step-by-step guidance, students learn how to organize their thoughts, develop strong sentences and paragraphs, and express their ideas with clarity and purpose.

Beginning in Kindergarten and continuing through 5th grade  students are taught the foundational skills of writing, including sentence structure, grammar, organization, and the writing process. As they progress, students learn to craft a variety of writing genres, including narrative writing that tells a story, informative and explanatory writing that teaches or shares information, opinion and persuasive writing that supports a point of view, and descriptive writing that uses vivid language and details to engage the reader.

The curriculum uses proven strategies, visual supports, and consistent routines to help all learners succeed. Students are guided through the process of planning, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing their work, allowing them to develop both confidence and independence as writers.

By breaking writing into manageable steps and providing opportunities for creativity and self-expression, our program equips students with the communication skills they need to succeed across all academic areas and beyond.

Mathematics

Our mathematics program is designed to develop strong problem-solvers, critical thinkers, and confident learners. Through a research-based approach, students build a deep understanding of mathematical concepts while developing the procedural fluency and reasoning skills needed for long-term success.

Students engage in hands-on learning experiences, collaborative discussions, and real-world problem-solving opportunities that encourage them to think critically and explain their mathematical reasoning. Instruction emphasizes number sense, operations, algebraic thinking, geometry, measurement, data analysis, and mathematical communication.

By exploring multiple strategies and making meaningful connections between concepts, students develop both confidence and perseverance when approaching challenging problems. This balanced approach to mathematics fosters conceptual understanding, computational fluency, and the ability to apply mathematical thinking across academic disciplines and everyday life.

This version is concise, parent-friendly, and aligned with the style of the phonics and writing descriptions for a school website.

Science & Social Studies

Science Instruction

Our science program inspires curiosity and a love of discovery through engaging, hands-on learning experiences. Students are encouraged to ask questions, investigate real-world phenomena, and think critically about how the world works.

Through inquiry-based lessons, experiments, discussions, and interactive activities, students explore key concepts in life science, earth and space science, physical science, and engineering. Lessons are designed to spark wonder while helping students develop observation, problem-solving, and analytical thinking skills.

Students learn to make predictions, gather evidence, draw conclusions, and communicate their findings using age-appropriate scientific practices. By connecting science concepts to everyday experiences, they develop a deeper understanding of the natural world and the role science plays in their lives.

Our science curriculum fosters creativity, collaboration, and a growth mindset, equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to become thoughtful learners, informed citizens, and future innovators.

Social Studies Instruction

Our social studies program is aligned with the Louisiana Social Studies Standards and is designed to ensure students build a strong foundation in history, geography, civics, economics, and culture. Instruction is structured to support the development of critical thinking, chronological understanding, and an awareness of local, national, and global communities.

Through engaging lessons, primary and secondary source exploration, discussion, and Project Work, students develop the skills to analyze information, make connections across time and place, and understand their role as informed citizens. This standards-based approach ensures consistent, rigorous social studies instruction across grade levels while supporting meaningful, real-world learning.