Overview

Our intermediate students are challenged to increase their independence and responsibility in their faith, in their academics, and in their actions. Growing as Catholic Learners, students extend their faith through respect and understanding of others. Students are excited to delve into the rich intermediate curriculum, exploring California history and ancient civilizations, reading and interpreting novels, practicing the writing process, and expanding their mathematical skills. Active participation, collaboration with peers, and organization are emphasized to support student achievement at the intermediate level and beyond.

Intermediate Overview Front

Academics & Enrichment

Students at the intermediate level benefit from regular PE classes, weekly visits to the school library, STEM activities, our PEAK Family Program, and participation in Westside Relays. We also offer an enrichment program including choice of music, news crew, student leadership, book club, creative writing, drama, and yearbook. Additional students in the Intermediate level can participate in the Marathon Club. Athletic offerings for fourth?, fifth, and sixth grade students in the Catholic Schools League are available and classes enjoy field trips to the Walt Disney Museum, AT&T Park, Cline Cellars Mission Museum, Green Music Center, Luther Burbank performances, and the Museum of the American Indian.

Academics
Math

Math

St. Vincent students continually score at the top level of our diocese. Utilizing the tried and true Saxon Math program, aligned with common core standards, our students have a long history of strong retention. Beginning in the Fifth grade we offer Advanced Math to students excelling in the subject area.

Language Arts

Language Arts

From learning to read to reading to learn, our intermediate students continue to understand our world by reading short stories and novels. Intermediate students also utilize more informational and nonfiction text to aid this skill of making connections.Strengthening comprehension skills, expanding vocabulary, and analyzing literature as well as spelling, grammar and writing instruction provide a comprehensive and well rounded English language arts program. Students visit the school library weekly and participate in the Renaissance Learning Accelerated Reader program.

Religion

Religion

Daily religious education classes, prayer, and attendance at monthly Mass with the school community provides a foundation in faith formation. Students at each grade level participate in leading morning prayer and First Friday Mass. Sixth grade students participate in active service to others through our community service program.

Science

Science

Using NGSS standards and curriculum, our teachers provide STEAM instruction on scientific concepts and principles including: electricity, magnetism, energy, ecosystems, elements and compounds, weather, and the solar system. Additionally, students study rocks and minerals, plate tectonics, landforms, and forces. The science curriculum is enhanced through field trips, manipulatives, interactive notebooks, and hands-on experiments in our science lab.

Social Science

History

Students in the intermediate grades further their ability to connect the past and present as well as to appreciate our ancestors’ struggles and achievements. Beginning with a study of California’s past and moving to the exploration of ancient civilizations, our engaging curriculum allows students to make these connections more readily. Projects, cooperative group activities, presentations and field trips provide a variety of experiences to enhance the intermediate history curriculum.

Fine Arts

Fine Arts

Our fine arts program provides students an opportunity to express their creativity and develop and appreciate music and art. Music instruction includes singing and an introduction to music theory, including note-reading and playing instruments. Volunteer art docents provide a rich opportunity for students to study artists in a variety of genres and create their own masterpieces to share with classmates and families.

Technology

Technology

Weekly classes, utilizing 1:1 Chromebooks, emphasize the importance of digital citizenship, while teaching students how to use Google docs, sheets and slides and engaging students through projects that enhance the curriculum and encourage creativity. Students practice formatting when writing formal letters, making tables and designing a school newspaper. Google slide presentations on California Missions, state reports, and country reports connect technology to the curriculum. Google Classroom is introduced to allow teachers to integrate technology into all areas of the curriculum.

Educators