Curriculum

At Holy Name of Jesus Catholic School, our curriculum is designed to provide a well-rounded education that integrates academic excellence with Catholic values. Following the standards set by the Diocese of Orlando and the State of Florida, our curriculum spans core subjects while also offering enriching programs in Art, Music, Spanish, Technology, Media, and Physical Education. From our Early Learning Center to our middle school, we ensure that students receive a comprehensive education that prepares them for success both academically and spiritually.

We are excited to introduce several new curriculum programs at HNJ this year as we focus on curriculum unification, academic rigor, continued STREAM integration, and collaborative learning to achieve academic excellence. We are proud to have partnered with the following curriculum companies to help us standardize our core curriculum school-wide to help all of God's children at HNJ.

Religion (also see Spiritual Life)

Religious instruction in the Christian faith, as lived out in the Catholic tradition, forms the basis for the total development of the student. All students are required to participate in all regular church services during school time. The Religion curriculum from the Diocese of Orlando forms the nucleus of Religious instruction. Liturgical Services are held weekly and on Holy Days for the entire student body and staff. Parents and family are welcome. 

Sadlier Religion - We Believe K-8 - We are committed to nurturing our students’ faith through this comprehensive program that helps students deepen their understanding of Catholic teachings and live out Gospel values in their daily lives. Rooted in Scripture and tradition, We Believe inspires our students to grow in prayer, service, and discipleship as active members of our Catholic community.

Language Arts

Reading and writing skills form the basic literary tools for gaining knowledge and understanding in all subject areas, including the spiritual and the academic experiences of life. Emphasis is placed on Language Arts as a foundation for all learning, with remediation and enrichment opportunities provided. Students are introduced to fine literature, from the classics to modern works.  Writing is taught across the curriculum. 

HMH "Into Reading" K-8 and HMH "Into Literature" 6-8: We are refreshing our English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum this year at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic School. This new literacy program is designed to deepen students’ reading, writing, and critical thinking skills while incorporating engaging, faith-centered materials that reflect our Catholic values. We believe this curriculum will inspire a love of literacy and help every student grow as confident communicators and thoughtful readers.

Mathematics

The math program is designed to help each student learn the basic mathematical structures, language, and principles in order to develop skill in computation, to use vocabulary and symbols in reading, to interpret data, and to measure and solve problems. The STAR Math program is used three times a year to assess student gains in grades Kindergarten to eighth grade. A full year in Algebra I for High School credit is offered in seventh and eighth grade to students who qualify for this academically challenging course. Students may also take classes through Florida Virtual School in Geometry, if qualified. The grades earned in the high school level courses are “Honors” or enrichment coursework for any middle school student.  These courses do not affect the GPA of the student for their high school career, but simply allow the student to take advanced math, or additional courses to prepare for college. (At the end of the year the Diocesan Algebra I final must be taken and passed in order for the course to be counted as a completed high school course for a Diocesan Catholic high school.)

HMH "Go Math" - Grades K-1: (Pilot Program) This innovative math curriculum emphasizes problem-solving and conceptual understanding to build strong early math foundations. We are excited to explore this engaging resource and assess how it can best support our young learners on their math journey.

Sadlier Math - Grades 2-8: We are continuing this program and diving deeper into grade-level standards to strengthen students’ foundational math skills. This year, our focus is on bridging learning gaps and ensuring that every student is challenged and supported to learn and grow with fidelity and tenacity. By teaching with intentionality and consistency, we are committed to helping our students build confidence and mastery in mathematics, preparing them for future academic success and higher scores on standardized testing.

Physical Education/Health

The Physical fitness program provides students with the opportunity to exercise and acquire lifelong skills to maintain a healthy body and attitude. The program includes competitive athletics, with an emphasis on learning skills and having fun. Health classes are also included in the physical education program.

Spanish

The purpose of the Spanish program is to familiarize students with a basic knowledge of Spanish vocabulary, grammar, and conversational skills. Students taking Spanish I in grade 8 may qualify for high school credit.  Successful completion of this class will not affect the student’s high school GPA, but will allow additional course offerings during their high school career.

Social Studies

This program is designed to develop give students a well-rounded foundation in world, national, and state history. It also provides students with the knowledge, understanding, skills, and attitudes necessary for becoming good citizens. 

SAVVAS Social Studies / Science K-8: These two dynamic, standards-aligned content programs provide engaging, hands-on learning experiences that foster curiosity and a deeper understanding of the world around us. Integrating Catholic perspectives where appropriate, this curriculum supports our mission to develop well-rounded students who are knowledgeable, responsible, and inspired by their faith.

Science

The purpose of the Science program is to promote a genuine interest in all facets of Science education and to provide the skills necessary to achieve scientific literacy appropriate to grade level. Students are given the opportunity to participate in Science Fairs, STREAM curriculum and hands on experiments.

STREAM Lab

Each class from Pre-K 3 to 8th are given the opportunity to experience a hands-on science activities that follows and extends their weekly science lesson. 

Students are given the opportunity to solve real world problems using everyday items, test theories, and expand their understanding of how things are produced/work. This program incorporates engineering, math, art, science and cooperative learning.

Fine Arts 

The purpose of the Fine Arts program is to provide students with the opportunity to experience and appreciate the fine arts and to develop basic skills in music (choir, recorders, keyboards, and other instruments), drama, and art. Students also participate in a county wide Fine Art Show for Brevard County Catholic Schools.

Computer Literacy

Computers are utilized in the classroom and lab setting as tools to enrich the curriculum in the classroom. Keyboarding skills, ethical use of technology and the internet, and general computer skills are taught, with a goal of integration of those skills into the learning process of the student. 

Coding programs, Google Classroom, Microsoft Office, and Ipads are also used throughout a student’s academic experience at HNJ.

Middle School students each receive a school Chromebook.  It is the responsibility of the student/family to make sure the Chromebook is at school and in good condition each day.  Upon graduation from Holy Name of Jesus Catholic School in grade 8, the student may keep his/her Chromebook. 

The School also has:

  • One to one IPads, in Kindergarten through 2nd Grade

  • One to one Chromebooks, in Grades 3rd through 5th

  • A Windows PC research center

  • Newline interactive touch screens are available in all classrooms

  • A lab is supplied with Chromebooks and IPads for collaborative work

Co-Curricular Activities

A number of opportunities for enrichment and reinforcement of skills and knowledge are integrated into our curriculum. These include contests, tournaments, and organizations intended to allow students to excel academically as well as in leadership roles.

PreK

Scholastic Big Day - VPK - We are excited to continue using this program to support our VPK students’ reading development with integrated math, social studies, and science. This engaging and interactive program helps build essential literacy skills through a blend of phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension activities. With Scholastic Big Day, our early learners enjoy a strong start on their journey to becoming confident and enthusiastic readers.

Frog Street - (ELC: PK1, PK2) & PK3: We have adopted this newcurriculum for our youngest students as a research-based program designed to foster early childhood development through hands-on learning, social-emotional growth, and faith-inspired activities. Frog Street provides a nurturing foundation that prepares our youngest Saints for success in school and in life.

Guidance

Our teachers are interested in the physical, academic, spiritual, and emotional well-being of our children. We have a moral obligation to work as partners with the parents to guide the students to be healthy, productive citizens of our community and world. The more the teacher knows about the environment of each child, the better he/she is able to guide him/her through these important years of development. For this reason parents are encouraged to consult with the teachers and the principal when there are problems at home which could result in a child’s experiencing some emotional or physical difficulties. 

A guidance counselor will implement programs to encourage appropriate social interactions, prevent bullying, ensure a drug and violence free environment, and consult with students, parents and teachers as needed. The Guidance counselor will support the student body through weekly class lessons, individual, and small group interaction. Faculty and staff support are also offered along with Student Emotional Learning.

Religious Education

All Holy Name of Jesus Catholic School students are required to attend formal classes in religion. It is expected that all students, regardless of beliefs, will participate fully in the religious and spiritual activities at the school, including Mass, liturgies and prayer services. Diocesan guidelines develop the curriculum plan for each grade and are centered on four major themes:

  • Doctrine and Scripture

  • Prayer and Liturgy

  • Faith Response/Morality

  • A Family Life Program

Sacramental Preparation

Sacraments are important spiritual events in the lives of Catholics and our parish collectively. The Director of Religious Education and the principal are the contacts for sacramental preparation. The school will facilitate communication between the Director of Faith Formation and our school families; however, the Church handles and schedules the dates of these events. Second grade students are prepared for First Communion and First Reconciliation. These sacramental preparations demand certain key prerequisites for their reception: 

  • Parents must be involved in the student’s preparation and attend the required meetings.

  • In preparing for each sacrament, it is important to understand that Sacraments celebrate key spiritual events in our lives and help affirm the faith that is already being practiced. 

  • It is important that parents and their children practice the faith, especially through regular attendance at Sunday Mass.

Community Service

The true mark of every Catholic/Christian is found in his/her love for others. The children of Holy Name of Jesus Catholic School demonstrate their faith in action through our Community Service Program and our special ministry programs during the school year. Students at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic School will provide a variety of service activities through their individual classes, collectively as a school, through the parish, and through our civic community. 

Community service is a vital and integral part of the life of Holy Name of Jesus Catholic School and its students. Every student has an obligation and a responsibility to complete a certain number of community hours each year as part of his or her program. Community service means actual work done to benefit others without pay or other compensation. The school will provide some opportunities for service hours, as will parish, student activities, and neighborhood opportunities. This work is not to be done at home or as part of a student’s normal chores. Student graduation and/or promotion depend on fulfilling this critical obligation. Specific forms for properly documenting service hours are available from the homeroom/classroom teachers, and must be completed by the student, then signed by the person supervising his or her service work. These forms are turned into the classroom/homeroom teacher and class records are maintained by him or her. All middle school students are required to perform 20 hours of Community Service. 

The following are the service hour amounts for students in grades K-5:

  • Grade 5:  14 hours

  • Grades 3-4:  10 hours

  • Grades K-2:  6 hours