The primary goal of the program of instruction in our elementary schools is to provide learning experience in a Catholic environment that will assist the students in their religious, spiritual, moral, intellectual, social, emotional, and physical development. Each school’s program of instruction is designed so that students can achieve the following goals:
The schools of the Archdiocese of Newark are involved in an ongoing curriculum mapping project which will result in the development of K-12 core maps in each subject. Curriculum mapping is a process that helps schools and districts/ dioceses determine the “agreed-upon” learning for all students. This process has been implemented within the Archdiocese to ensure that a consistent, clearly articulated curriculum infused with Gospel values is being provided to all students in our schools. The Archdiocesan core curriculum maps clearly articulate the content knowledge and skills students are expected to acquire in each subject at each grade level.
The curriculum mapping process and the resulting curriculum maps help ensure the academic excellence that is integral to the mission of our Catholic schools. While the curriculum maps articulate the expected learning for all students, they do not prescribe the methods and resources to be used. Individual teachers, under the supervision of their principal, have the flexibility to teach the content and skills in their own manner, utilizing their own particular strengths and teaching style to address the various learning needs of their students.
Relevant educational standards, including those proposed by content area experts, the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards, and the Common Core State Standards, are used as a resource in the curriculum mapping process. While academic standards are referenced in the Archdiocesan curriculum maps to indicate which standards are being addressed, it is the expertise and experience of the educators within our schools that determines the content and skills students are be expected to master. It is important to note that standards are not curriculum. Academic standards are general statements describing the expectations for student learning. The curriculum is designed to meet the expectations expressed in the selected standards. While the curriculum maps identify what students should be learning and provide a guide as to when certain content should be taught, each school determines how it is taught, and what materials and instructional strategies are used. The curriculum maps guide schools as they develop curriculum that continues to uphold our commitment to academic excellence and is consistent with Catholic teachings and values.
The curriculum maps that have been developed thus far can be found at: https://catholicschoolsnj.org/curriculum-mapping-2
Curriculum maps for other subject areas will be posted to the website as they are completed. In the meantime, schools within the Archdiocese are guided by the following when developing curriculum in the specific subject areas.
Mathematics Curriculum
English/Language Arts Curriculum
Technology Curriculum