The curriculum of St. Clare School is driven by the standards of the state of California and the Diocese of San Jose. These standards contain guidelines for each curricular subject, including topics of study, skills and other learning opportunities. For specific information about state standards, please see Content Standards, California Department of Education.
We offer full-day Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten, core subjects in first through eighth grade, blended learning methods, and technology for all students, Spanish language instruction in grades three through five, music, art, a variety of extracurricular activities including student council, after-school sports, and a homework assistance program. In addition to math, language arts, science, PE, and social studies, religion instruction occurs throughout the day at all levels.
Our faculty and staff are caring, compassionate, qualified, and willing to share their many talents with students and the community at large.
Curriculum
STREAM is the integration of Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Art, and Math to assist in the development of skills that are the very foundation of our Catholic faith. Learn more about each of these departments below.
>Science & Technology
>English Language Arts
>Religion
>Art
>Math
Blended Learning
Teachers at St. Clare School use tools and practices to maximize the use of technology and advanced content to make the students’ learning experience more flexible, personalized, and lasting. Instruction in many grades includes the use of the station rotation model of blended learning, a combination of teacher-led and individualized instruction using digital content on the iPad in conjunction with textbooks and other supplemental resources. In this model, students receive instruction targeted to their needs from data provided to teachers daily. The advantage of this model of instruction is that it maintains the traditional classroom structure while allowing more opportunity for the teacher to offer individualized instruction. Each student receives individualized, online content instruction; traditional teacher-led group instruction; and small group project-based, hands-on learning experiences every day.
Individualized Instruction
At St. Clare School, we believe that each student can benefit from individualized instruction. When needed, a data driven plan is designed for each student.
Assessment Data
Data Driven Assessment
Schools in the Diocese of San Jose use the Star assessment to analyze student performance in each of the domains of Reading and Math. Each diocesan school has set site specific benchmarks for student performance allowing teachers to analyze student performance against both the national norm and the local site expectations. Teachers will re-administer the Star assessment as often as necessary to measure student growth, analyze the effectiveness of instructional interventions, and provide parents with up-to-date data about how each student is performing and growing in the curriculum.
>Learn more about Student Assessment & Standards Based Report Cards
Common Core State Standards
The California Common Core State Standards are a set of learning goals for all students in grades K-12. The public schools in California, and in 45 other states, have implemented these new standards. More than 100 Catholic dioceses across the nation have chosen to do so as well. In the Diocese of San Jose our elementary schools have aligned their instruction to the California Common Core State Standards and are now in full implementation in kindergarten through eighth grade.
Diocese of San Jose
Educating generations of students since 1856, Saint Clare School provides a rigorous curriculum with innovative methodologies in a faith-based environment. As school in the Diocese of San Jose, Saint Clare School builds strong academic and spiritual foundations that serve our children well, now and in the future.
Our system is a resource-rich, cutting-edge approach to Catholic education. Committed to redefining student engagement through technology and data-driven instruction, our system is transforming Catholic education. We provide a transformative approach to Catholic elementary education and are committed to promoting our school as accessible, high achieving and educationally accountable.
We form the whole person through faith, knowledge, community, and by leveraging the resources and knowledge of a network of Catholic schools. In collaboration with the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA), the largest, private professional education association in the world, we support ongoing faith formation and the teaching mission of the Catholic Church.
Partnerships
In normal circumstances, St. Clare partners with Santa Clara University to bring its Maker Lab and America Reads projects to enrich our students’ curriculum.
Collaboration and Teacher Development
Our faculty and staff are able to enrich their learning and development through collaboration and ongoing professional development, with individual, school site based, and diocesan-wide opportunities.