St. Mary's School Expanding
6th Grade Now Open for the 2011-12 Academic Year
Last November, St. Mary's Episcopal School celebrated the Blessing and Ground Breaking Ceremony for the school's Middle School expansion. The special event, led by the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma Bishop, the Right Reverend Edward J. Konieczy, signified the official advancement to becoming a preschool through eighth grade model. This fall, the school will offer 6th grade and is now accepting enrollments. Seventh grade will follow for 2012-13 and 8th in 2013-14.
"By expanding our school to eighth grade, we are able to complete our mission of preparing children spiritually, intellectually, socially, emotionally and physically," said Nancy Hetherington, Head of School. She added that offering a continuous program for children from age three to fifteen, combines the of best of early childhood, elementary and middle school worlds and prepares students for a smooth transition to high school.
Research has shown that preschool through 8th grade school students demonstrate higher levels of achievement; have higher attendance rates; display better self esteem, leadership and attitudes toward school; and have fewer discipline problems.
"This is an exciting opportunity to continue the Episcopal tradition of academic excellence and the outstanding enrichment opportunities that have become synonymous with St. Mary's Episcopal School", said Sarah Woods, Director of the Middle School Division. Woods added that the middle school will be taught by exceptional veteran teachers, and many of the enrichment courses that will challenge students, while also having fun.
True to the vision of St. Mary's Episcopal School, middle school students will learn to be effective leaders as the school continues to focus on doing God's work through service to others.
Academic Opportunities for the upcoming 6th grade include:
� Specialized mathematics program with a focus on advanced mathematics
� Specialized Language Arts program with a focus on literature analysis, writing, poetry, grammar, reading, and vocabulary
� Specialized science program focusing on inquiry-based instruction and learning
� Specialized world geography and history program through Core Knowledge
Enrichment Opportunities will include programs such as:
� Chapel and Religious Education
� Drama with a focus on performance and mythology
� Fencing; Kayaking; Archery
� Physical Education
� Life Skills including banking and cooking courses
� Foreign Language - Spanish
� Art and Art History
� Yearbook
� Music with a focus on hands-on learning taught through the Orff philosophy
St. Mary's Episcopal School, established in 1977, strives to create quality learning experiences in a nurturing and safe environment that promotes academic excellence, spiritual development, and community responsibility. A 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, St. Mary's mission is to "provide quality academic programs in an environment fostering respect for faith, family, others and self." Visit www.smesedmond.org for more information.
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