Curriculum

St. Mary of the Mills School follows the curriculum standards set forth by the Catholic Schools Office of the Archdiocese of Washington. Our philosophy emphasizes the uniqueness of each student and the need to help each child reach his or her full potential in a supportive academic environment. We are fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS-CASI) through a partnership with AdvancED.

As a Catholic School, religious education is the cornerstone of our curriculum. The doctrine and dogma of the Catholic faith exist as the framework of our religious instruction. From there, we encourage students to explore and develop a personal faith relationship with God through a variety of formal and informal spiritual activities.

The curriculum for Early Childhood programs promotes the spiritual, emotional, aesthetic and intellectual growth of the young child in a thematic format*. Grades 1 – 8 include formal instruction in religion, language arts, mathematics, science and social studies. Additionally, St. Mary of the Mills provides instruction in the following: computer education, music, art, physical education, media use and research, Spanish, advanced math and guidance. We utilize differentiated instruction and other research-based teaching strategies and techniques that promote individual student success.

St. Mary of the Mills School participates in regular, on-going curriculum evaluation and modification as directed by the Archdiocese of Washington. Using the process of Curriculum Mapping, all teachers within the Archdiocese of Washington are examining the taught curriculum and comparing it to nationally recognized standards to determine appropriate goals and objectives which will serve as the framework for the new Archdiocesan Curriculum. This process will be repeated annually, focusing on a different subject each year.

St. Mary of the Mills School administers nationally recognized standardized tests selected and approved by the Catholic Schools Office of the Archdiocese of Washington. The results of these tests are interpreted and used as an additional measure of identifying strengths and weakness within our taught curriculum. Curriculum adjustments are made accordingly to benefit the students.

Click the button below to learn more about the Archdiocesan Academic Standards: