Tampa Catholic High School

CURRICULUM

 A Central Catholic Education

Central Catholic offers a holistic environment that focuses on more than student acquisition of simple facts. Through engaging technology and a safe, spiritual environment, students are able to explore timely global concepts, develop necessary academic skills, apply skills and strategies to solve problems, and create relationships that foster academic growth and spiritual development.

The curriculum is designed to enable students to:


  • Think critically
  • Communicate effectively
  • Become independent and inquisitive thinkers
  • Develop social and religious values
  • Prepare for college and/or career

Central Catholic administers standardized tests to students in grades 2 through 11. Students in grades 2 through 7 complete Beacon tests, in Math and Reading, throughout the school year (roughly each quarter), to prepare for the Terra Nova Next.

Test Grade Date
Terra Nova Next Grade 2- 7 Spring 2025
ARK (Assessment of Religious Knowledge) Grades 6-12 Spring 2025
Pre ACT 8/9 Grades 8- 9 April 8, 2025
Pre ACT Grade 10 April 8, 2025
ACT District Test Grade 11 April 8, 2025

GRADES PRE-K3 to 5 CURRICULUM

INTRODUCTION


Central Catholic maintains an effective, updated curriculum based on state and diocesan standards. The curriculum includes religion, reading, language arts (writing, spelling, grammar), mathematics, science, social studies, physical education, computer education, art, and library science. Technology is integrated into the curriculum through multiple networked computers and a computer lab. Each classroom has internet access. The educational need of students is met through a variety of methods including hands-on and inquiry-based learning and cooperative learning experiences along with conventional teaching methods. Enrichment and reinforcement activities are available in the classroom and through lab sessions. 

RELIGION


Religion is an integral part of the curriculum with lessons taught daily. Masses are celebrated weekly. Teachers may choose to bring students to Adoration, which occurs on Tuesdays, throughout the year. The Way of the Cross and Confession take place during Lent.


Assessment and evaulation


Evaluation is an important component of the educational process. No single method of evaluation can present an adequate profile of strengths, weaknesses, accomplishments, effort, potential, and creative ability of an individual student.


a.   Grading is based on all classroom activities that may include but are not limited to daily work including oral and written assignments, class participation, cooperative learning, weekly tests, homework, and special projects.


b.   Evaluation is not limited to paper and pencil activities.


c.    Benchmark/Diagnostic Tests are given periodically to give insight into student comprehension on a long-range basis.


1)   The following benchmark/diagnostic tests are given to grades 1-5, and K where applicable:


a)   Reading Benchmark Assessments


b)   Math Diagnostic Assessments


c)   Beacon Assessments

HOMEWORK


Homework is meant to be the child’s responsibility and the child’s work. It is the parent’s responsibility to supervise but not to do the homework. As children progress through grade levels, the objective of home assignments will also progress. Research indicates homework is important for the following reasons:


·        Honing organizational skills

·        Learning how to manage time

·        Developing the ability to learn autonomously

·        Practice is best done at home

·        Some projects need the reflective period that cannot be provided in the classroom


a.   Homework is necessary practice and reinforcement of classroom learning, and it develops good study habits.


b.   Homework is a written form of communication with parents and students.


c.    Homework may include oral and written assignments.


d.   Assignments are posted in Google Classroom and written on the board for students to copy in agendas (gr. 3-5).


e.   If a child is absent from school, a request for written assignments is required unless illness prevents the child from working.


f.     Assignment requests must be made to the school by 8:30 A.M. and can be picked up at 2:30 P.M. that same day from the school office.


g.   Homework is not assigned on weekends, holidays, back to school night, etc.


Specials and accelerated reader

a.   Art, computers, and physical education grades are based on participation, conduct, and effort. Students will receive an S, NI, or U in these areas based on 20 points per week.


b.   Accelerated Reader: Students in Gr. 1-5 will receive a 10 point grade in Reading each nine weeks based on each student’s highest AR quiz score.


GRADES 6-12 ACADEMIC TRACKS

INTRODUCTION


Central Catholic employs a curriculum that enables all students to reach their full potential through placement in either the College Prep or Honors academic track. While both academic tracks offer appropriate courses to prepare students for college and/or career, each track is differentiated to effectively meet the needs of the students in the class.


*For more detailed information on Academics, please consult the Central Catholic Grades 6 to 12 Student and Parent Handbook.

COLLEGE PREP


The college prep courses are organized to provide more teacher direction throughout the lesson. Through repetition and continual modeling of skills and concepts, students are given more direct instruction and practice of skills and concepts.

HONORS


The honors courses are appropriately differentiated to provide more student-centered lessons. Objectives reflect activities that include high-level independent thinking and analysis, an increase in creative problem solving, and more rigorous discover learning. Lessons include one or more of the following dimensions: depth of knowledge, complexity of tasks, and/or acceleration of pacing.

ACCELERATED PATH


Students who qualify may begin taking high school courses in eighth grade. The following requirements must be fulfilled for students to be considered for acceleration:

  • scores in the 90th percentile or higher on the Math section of the TERRA NOVA standardized test
  • earns a grade of “A” in Math 7

Testing CENTER


Students in the college prep academic track with identified learning differences can receive further academic assistance through the Testing Center. The goal of the Testing Center is to offer services to students with learning differences by helping them develop the skills necessary to be successful in the Central Catholic curriculum and beyond. The Testing Center strives to meet individualized accommodations necessary for students to succeed in the classroom.


Admission is based on a current professional evaluation.


There is an additional $250 fee for a student to be enrolled in the Testing Center and to receive accommodations.

Share by: