The Lower School
At SJL, the Lower School contains grades Kindergarten through 2nd and is located on the 1st and 2nd floors of the original school building.
The Lower School is composed of children in kindergarten, first and second grade and is located on two floors of our original building. Our school is dedicated to individualized instruction and skill level grouping. In kindergarten, students are grouped across both classrooms into eight small learning groups with teachers and educational support assistants leading each group. Monthly family activities add to the learning and promote home and school education. The use of grouping continues in first and second grade as each level has an additional reading/math tutor, title one services, and instructional technology. Looping in grades one and two is beneficial and helps keep education continuous. That is children in grades one and two will have the same homeroom teacher for two years. By doing this the teacher can jump right in at the beginning of each year because they already know the students.
The Intermediate School
AT SJL, THE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL CONTAINS GRADES 3RD THROUGH 5TH AND IS LOCATED IN THE BUILDING'S "WEST WING".
Students in the Intermediate School, grades 3-4-5, are becomin g more independent learners while making the transition from being the "little kids". The Intermediate grades continue student centered education using learning levels and differentiated instruction based on skill needs. In the "West Wing" students research, create and present projects using our one to one matching of laptops or chrome books! Our faith comes to life as we continue to work on service projects such as making sandwiches for the homeless, collecting cans of food for our food pantry and continuing our daily prayer chain. Intermediate School is the cocoon where our caterpillars from the Lower School change into the butterflies that emerge in the Upper School.
THE UPPER SCHOOL
AT SJL, THE UPPER SCHOOL CONTAINS GRADES 6TH THROUGH 8TH AND IS LOCATED IN THE MAIN HALLWAY CLOSEST TO THE GYMNASIUM.
Students in the Upper School, grade 6-7-8, are in the main hallway in six community homerooms. Community homerooms are composed of students from each grade level. This enables our students to get to know each other and work cooperatively on the many service projects that the Upper School leads. As with the Lower and Intermediate schools, we continue to individualize instruction with the use of grouping by skill level. These groups are fluid and students may move back and forth as needed. Students also have Study Table time for any additional help they may need and Plan 5 opportunities which includes financial literacy, resume writing, job applications practice, scholarship essays writing, study skills and test prep as well as career and college study. In addition to the regular academic subjects, our arts program is outstanding and includes African drums, guitar, piano, band, choir, general music, art, crafts, dance, drama, and sewing.
At SJL students participate in a variety of specials in a fully equipped Technology Lab, Gymnasium, and Lending Library.
The Specials team is composed of teachers and educational support assistants who specialize in a specific area such as Library/ Media, Art, Music, Physical Education, or Technology.
At St. James the Less Catholic School we strive to offer our students a well rounded education.
Our technology program prepares students for 21st century learning. We offer a one to one chrome book program for all students in grades 2 through 8. Students in grades K-1 enjoy the use of iPads in their classrooms. Our music program has such offerings as band, general music, African drums, piano, and guitar. Music and Art are integrated into the classroom curriculum to support and reinforce academics. Our large library offers classes for students in kindergarten through fourth grade. Students in grades five through eight make use of the newly renovated 21st century learning spaces within our library. Physical Education classes promote physical activity for all children through structured activities and games that also support the curriculum.