Encore Classes

Our Art program lets students explore and create with various artistic media. We teach techniques while also highlighting important cultural and historical art. Students are encouraged to follow their interests and express themselves through different art forms.

For kindergarten and first graders, we focus on color mixing, good painting habits, print-making, observational and imaginative drawing, ceramics, and sculpture. As they progress to sixth grade, they build on these skills with more complexity. Just like in performance art, practice is crucial for improvement. Middle School students delve deeper into these media, emphasizing observational drawing and color mixing, and learning to apply these skills across different art forms. 

Ultimately, we want to inspire a love for the arts, helping kids enjoy expressing themselves through visual art and become lifelong art lovers.

The technology education program helps students build various tech skills in a fun classroom setting, focusing on their creativity and individuality through innovative teaching. 

In K-2, kids get comfortable with a mouse and learn basic software, which also boosts their reading and math skills while improving their keyboarding speed and accuracy. 

For grades 3-5, students dive into Microsoft Office tools like PowerPoint, Word, Publisher, and OneNote, continuing to enhance their keyboarding abilities. 

In grades 6-8, the focus shifts to preparing for high school, with an emphasis on mastering advanced Microsoft Office features and refining grammar and language skills, along with significant improvements in keyboarding speed and accuracy. 

Both teachers and students use devices like Chromebooks, iPads, and laptops to support their learning and assist with tasks like word processing and research.

The K-8 Physical Education (PE) program aims to instill a love for staying active and healthy. Students participate in a range of activities suitable for their age, which not only enhance their physical abilities but also build essential teamwork and social skills, supporting their overall growth. We prioritize creating a safe and energetic environment where every student can thrive and develop a positive outlook on physical fitness.

K-2:  For our young language learners, the main goal is to make learning enjoyable. In their Spanish journey, lower elementary students will engage with music and games. We want to foster a love for languages instead of instilling fear. Each week, we'll come together to sing, play, and pick up new Spanish words.

Grades 3-5: Upper elementary students will dive into common words and concepts, exploring culture, and how Catholics express their faith in Spanish-speaking nations, along with learning Spanish prayers. At every level, World Language Learners will compare Hispanic culture with their own. The focus will be on teaching Spanish through stories and interactive games.

Grades 6-8: Middle schoolers will gear up for high school by preparing for Spanish 1. They'll follow a tailored version of the high school Spanish 1 curriculum. Students will learn conversational vocabulary and frequently used words through traditional activities and storytelling. They'll practice listening, reading, writing, and speaking in Spanish, gradually increasing their proficiency.

Every K-8 student enjoys music class weekly, engaging in various musical activities. We start with speech, movement, and singing, then add rhythms and accompaniment using non-pitched percussion, barred instruments, and soprano recorders. Icons and Kodaly hand signs help with music reading and writing. For grades 6-8, we focus on music literacy, basic composition, and music technology. Students showcase their talents in winter and spring concerts, and 3rd to 5th graders attend the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Youth Concert each spring for an orchestral experience.

In 6th grade, students learn to play instruments like the flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, or euphonium while exploring various music styles. They start playing in bands and may switch to oboe, alto saxophone, French horn, or percussion during the year. Sixth graders hold two concerts annually.

In 7th grade, students continue to develop their skills and explore different band music. They learn to play independent parts in both the band and smaller groups, performing three concerts throughout the year.

In 8th grade, students progress to intermediate skills and engage with a wide range of band music. They can audition for the MSBOA Honor Band and participate in the MSBOA Solo & Ensemble Festival. Eighth graders have three concerts each year and perform at the MMEA Instrumental Clinic. 

At St. Monica and St. Augustine schools, band students from the same grade collaborate for performances.