ACADEMICS

St. John XXIII Catholic School (SJ23) offers its students a challenging academic curriculum grounded in faith. Our students thrive in our nurturing, co-curricular environment as they obtain skills necessary to be successful, compassionate learners, innovators, educators, researchers, and leaders for the rest of their lives.

Our integrated, hands-on curriculum based on science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) engages students of all academic levels. It promotes a deeper understanding of real-world concepts and helps students to become critical thinkers, thoughtful listeners, and effective speakers. SJ23’s co-curricular environment allows differentiated instruction and encourages creative expression as students develop socially, intellectually, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

The success of SJ23’s rigorous academic curriculum is evident. Over the last ten years, eight of our alumni have been valedictorians or salutatorians at area high schools. Our average class size is 16 students and our instructional faculty to student ratio is 11:1.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR ACADEMIC CURRICULUM AND SEE IT IN ACTION, SCHEDULE A TOUR OR CONTACT US >>

SJ23’s Early Childhood Program is designed to grow and change with students. Our program incorporates developmentally appropriate strategies and learning opportunities for a successful social, emotional, and academic experience.

Our preschool program nurtures social and emotional growth in a structured, play environment. We work with students to develop independence, self-confidence, self-control, and group social skills according to his or her abilities and readiness. Students build upon these skills in prekindergarten while blending basic academic readiness with creative exploration.

Kindergarten students experience a more structured, hands-on learning environment that includes reading, writing, religion, science, and math. All preschool through kindergarten students have art, music, gym, and library in addition to their core curriculum. Kindergarten students also have Spanish.

Our Pre-3 Program is specifically designed to provide an environment that seamlessly transitions your child from one developmental level to the next. The structured curriculum motivates and inspires children to learn, and the nurturing, family-centered environment gives our students the individual attention needed to instill self-confidence, social skills, and a feeling of security.

St. John XXIII Catholic School offers a place where your child will be nurtured & where the values you teach at home will be reinforced.

  • CUSTOMIZE YOUR WEEK WITH OUR FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE: Choose between 2-5 days per week
  • BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL CHILD CARE: Available from 6:30 AM – 6:00 PM to SJ23 students in grades Pre-3 through 6th grade
  • SUPPLEMENTAL CURRICULUM INCLUDES: Gym, Music, Library & Spanish
  • NEW CLASSROOM, SCHOOL BUILDING & TOP-OF-THE-LINE SECURITY
  • No Uniforms Required

SJ23’s Pre-K Program is part of the PWSSD program. It builds on the basic skills learned at the preschool level. We incorporate developmentally appropriate activities that provide early learning experiences and skills that prepare your child for future success in school. By developing strong social skills and emotional security, a love of learning is encouraged and expanded.

The Pre-K Program further expands and enriches its curriculum by incorporating field trips and hands-on learning that complement current areas of exploration. The SJ23 ECH Program blends lifestyle skills with supplemental instruction. This results in a well-balanced program that prepares children for the K5 level.

• Licensed ECH Teacher/Child Ratio Average is 1:18, Plus Aide
• Half-day AM or PM Program
• Supplemental Curriculum Includes: Gym, Music, Library & Spanish
• No Uniform Required

*All inquiries can be directed to Elicia Timberlake through the PWSSD (262-268-5700). 

We are so excited to introduce a new opportunity for K4 students at St. John XXIII. In addition to our traditional Monday-Thursday ½ day K4 classes, we will be offering Friday “SNAP” days. Learning is a SNAP through Science, Nature, Adventure and Play. Students enrolled in SNAP will be immersed in enriching and engaging activities that build on the concepts introduced in K4. Students will participate in hands-on science experiences, exploration in nature and with natural materials, adventures in our new outdoor classroom and surrounding green spaces and plenty of intentional, purposeful play. These fun-filled days will help build creative thinking skills, provide opportunities for problem solving and foster a love of learning. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO ENROLL YOUR CHILD IN “SNAP”!

SJ23’s Kindergarten Program is the last step of a three-level program. It expands upon the pre-K curriculum and nurtures skills needed to be successful in school. Our kindergarten program builds on previously learned skills and gradually prepares children for their elementary years.
The SJ23 Kindergarten Program blends academic readiness with creative exploration. We incorporate core academics, such as reading, math, science, and social studies with supplemental curriculum.

The SJ23 Kindergarten Program blends technology with traditional learning that helps your child to build a strong foundation to become a confident, lifelong learner and successful citizen in his or her community.

  • Early Childhood Teacher/Child Ratio Average is 1:15
  • Core Academics: Reading, Writing, Religion, Science, Math, and Spanish
  • Supplemental Curriculum Includes: Gym, Music, Library, Art, and Daily Play Time!
  • SMART Board and iPad technology instruction blended with traditional and hands-on learning
  • Uniforms Required

SJ23’s elementary school curriculum is a blend of traditional textbook instruction, technology, and hands-on experiences. Language arts, writing, math, religion, social studies, science, Spanish, art, music, and gym make up our basic curriculum.

All of our kindergarten through 8th grade students have the opportunity to explore, invent, and create in our STEAM labs. Technology also supplements student learning. All of our prekindergarten (pre-K) through 8th grade classrooms are equipped with SMART Boards, which facilitate interactive learning. Additionally, pre-K through 4th grade students use computers and iPads to supplement group and individual instruction.

View Grade Specific Catholic Education Curriculum Here

SJ23’s middle school curriculum is a blend of traditional textbook instruction, technology, and hands-on experiences. Language arts, writing, math, religion, social studies, science, Spanish, art, music, and gym make up our basic curriculum.

Our 5th through 8th grade middle school curriculum offers more advanced academic challenges, more leadership and service opportunities, and more co-curricular opportunities. In middle school, math is ability-based. Pre-algebra and algebra are offered to students based on readiness. Middle school students also have required service hours and have the opportunity to participate in retreats, student council, band, choir, and fine arts electives.

All of our kindergarten through 8th grade students have the opportunity to explore, invent, and create in our STEAM labs. Technology also supplements student learning. All of our prekindergarten (pre-K) through 8th grade classrooms are equipped with SMART Boards, which facilitate interactive learning. Middle school students supplement instruction with laptops and Chromebooks.

View Grade Specific Catholic Education Curriculum Here

Our STEAM initiative offers a student-centered environment dedicated to a deeper understanding of real-world concepts and their relationship to each other. The STEAM concept explores Science and Technology, through Engineering and the Arts, all based in Mathematical elements. This hands-on, inquiry-based approach encourages our kindergarten through 8th grade students to investigate and solve real-world problems by incorporating language, fine arts, and music in addition to traditional STEM curriculum.

Steam Electives/ Projects


Future City:
Future City starts with a question—how can we make the world a better place? To answer it, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students imagine, research, design, and build cities of the future that showcase their solution to a citywide sustainability issue.
Students complete four deliverables: a 1,500-word city essay; a scale model built from recycled materials; a project plan, and a presentation to judges at Regional Competitions.

Skills gained – Students participating in Future City:

  • Apply math and science concepts to real-world issues
  • Develop writing, public speaking, problem solving, and time management skills
  • Research and propose solutions to engineering challenges
  • Discover different types of engineering and explore careers options
  • Learn how their communities work and become better citizens
  • Develop strong time management and project management skills

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dominican Challenge

  • Stem competition of around 30 middle school teams at Dominican High School
  • Our school won third place overall 2019-2020

Starting with an identical set of materials, each team will design, build, and test a small machine that will be used to complete a challenge in a tournament format. Along the way, students will utilize engineering design thinking, collect data to inform revision and upgrades, and use artistic creativity to transform raw materials into a unique, victorious product.

*We are so honored to have received a $10,000 Grant from The Catholic Community Foundation for our STEM Science Initiative.

At SJ23, we support students’ individual learning needs and help them reach their highest potential by providing one-on-one and small-group student enrichment. In 5th through 8th grades, we have regularly scheduled flex time for intervention, project time, reteaching, acceleration, and enrichment. We nurture our students’ emotional and social growth weekly through individual or group counseling opportunities that focus on relationships, adolescent challenges, healthy minds and bodies, as well as other topics that promote positive social and emotional growth.

Social Emotional Coach: The Social Emotional coach’s role is to help students gain and effectively apply the knowledge and skills necessary to manage and understand their emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy towards others, develop and maintain positive relationships with peers, and make responsible decisions. Along with being a support to students, the Social Emotional Coach collaborates with teachers and parents to meet the needs of our students and provide information and professional development in the areas of social emotional health.

The Learning Support Specialist: This position works closely with students experiencing challenges in reading and/or writing. Support is provided both inside and outside the general classroom to teach and implement strategies and provide remedial support to students on a personalized level. The Learning Support Specialist teacher provides remediation to students designated as having a learning disability or designated as transitional students.  She works closely with teachers to provide resources and ideas as well as plan effectively for student support within the classroom.

At SJ23, we believe that technology enhances traditional and hands-on teaching methods to further our students’ educational journey both inside and outside the classroom. Students use iPads and Chromebooks in the STEAM labs and classrooms to accomplish academic goals and become respectful, knowledgeable digital citizens.