GENERAL PHILOSOPHY

St. Rita Catholic School (SRCS) believes that every student deserves an education that helps them meet their full potential. In connection to the Student Success Center, SRCS weaves above-grade level and advanced curriculum throughout our already enhanced classroom curriculum to help build a rich framework from the earliest grades to the most advanced grades. In order to further the school’s mission to grow learners, we embrace the belief that intelligence, ability, and performance continually improve and evolve through the learning process. In order to support and build upon foundational academic competence, we offer enhanced learning opportunities to all students. Our students differentiate their learning by taking part in learning activities ranging from STREAM Labs and flexible academic groupings and interest based groupings to accelerated learning that offer students the ability to experience hands-on, inter-relational learning in student centered environments. 

Furthermore, all teachers are skilled at meeting the individual needs of students. Students who do not receive specific Enrichment or Advanced Academics programming will still receive targeted instruction and support at their individual academic levels. This may include accelerated pace, greater depth, and a wide range of topics outside of the typical curriculum. Students do not need to "qualify" for a program in order to have their academic needs met. If a parent feels that their child needs more rigor or a faster pace in the curriculum and that child did not qualify for Enrichment or Advanced Academics, they should first contact their child's teacher to discuss concerns. If those concerns remain unmet, they may reach out to the Academic Placement Committee at apc@strita.net.

PRE-K AND KINDERGARTEN WHOLE-CLASS ENRICHMENT LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

SRCS adds enrichment opportunities to its primary curriculum as part of its regular curriculum. These opportunities tap into our youngest learners’ natural curiosity with authentic experiences, encouraging students to take risks and build confidence. These opportunities are open to all students and serve to enhance our already enhanced curriculum.

Pre-K and Kindergarten participate in daily rotations through specials classes such as: 

• Art

• Music

• Foreign language

• Library

• Technology

• Daily physical education

• STREAM Lab enrichment class

• Hands-On Science Lab

• PreK Dramatic Play enrichment class

KINDERGARTEN and FIRST GRADE CLUSTER GROUPING (ATIC) for ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES

As part of its enrichment programs, SRCS offers several opportunities for students to be pulled out during classroom time to work on content-based learning. Student participation is based on benchmark data collected throughout the school year.  

Reading Specialist Small Group Work: SRCS lowers the classroom ratio so that students have the opportunity to read high-quality literature and participate in discussing ideas related to the reading selections. Students are also given the chance to practice early reading skills and phonemic awareness. 

LOWER SCHOOL and INTERMEDIATE PROGRAM

Second through Fifth Grade Whole Class Enrichment Learning Opportunities

As part of its regular curriculum offerings, SRCS supplements our lower school curriculum with opportunities for discovery and mastery. 

First through fourth graders participate in daily rotations through specials classes such as: 

• Fine arts 

• Music

• Foreign language

• Library

• Technology

• Daily physical education

• STREAM Lab experiences

• Weekly Hands-On Science Lab

• Participation in daily block-scheduled literacy and mathematics classes with flexible grouping for targeted improvement, which includes enrichment and reteaching opportunities

Second through Fifth-Grade Academically Talented Instructional Cluster (ATIC) for Enrichment Programs

SRCS recognizes that motivated students with high academic abilities need enrichment programs that will challenge and extend the classroom curriculum in STEM and reading. Therefore, SRCS offers enrichment programs to enable qualifying students to progress and grow their potential in school continuously. This philosophy prevents learning loss and provides continuous learning enrichment from the beginning to the end of the academic calendar year. 

ATIC Three-Tiered Enrichment Program for Second through Fifth Grade

St. Rita Catholic School utilizes a three-tiered approach to the ATIC Enrichment Program:

-Tier 1: Universal Enrichment

-Tier 2: Enrichment Cluster

-Tier 3: Talented and Gifted (TAG) Instructional Cluster

Tier 1: Universal Enrichment- All Lower Elementary Students (Grades 2 - 5)

As part of the regular curriculum offerings, SRCS supplements our lower school curriculum with opportunities for discovery and mastery. These opportunities are open to all students and serve to enrich our already enhanced curriculum. 

Second through fourth graders participate in daily rotations through specials classes such as: 

• Fine arts 

• Music

• Foreign language

• Library

• Technology

• Daily physical education

• STREAM Lab experiences

• Weekly Hands-On Science Lab

• Participation in daily block-scheduled literacy and mathematics classes with flexible grouping for targeted improvement, which includes enrichment and reteaching opportunities

Tier 2: Enrichment Cluster 

SRCS offers two content-based enrichment clusters:  math and reading. Math and reading enrichment clusters are independent of each other.  Students in the Enrichment Tier will participate in clustered groups that work to target individual skills as identified throughout the year. Data will drive the formation of skills-based cluster groups and will, therefore, change quarterly. The clusters consist of students of similar aptitude and skill, as identified by various data points.

Tier 2 Qualification

Students qualify for enrichment by showing an academic proficiency at least two grade levels above grade-level peers at SRCS. Admittance into one cluster does not mean automatic admittance into the other, nor does admittance into one disqualify a student from the other.

Categories will include:

• CogAT Score Review

• Quarter 1 Data Review  (a variety of instruments)

Students in the Enrichment Tier will work on academic skills in math and reading beyond what is offered through the grade-level curriculum. This program is designed for high-achieving students who can work independently at an accelerated pace. 

Tier 3:  Talented and Gifted (TAG) Cluster

The SRCS TAG cluster is designed for students with exceptional academic achievement potential. Students in this program are ready to explicitly develop complex critical thinking skills, explore topics in-depth, and actively participate in project-based learning that goes far beyond the grade level curriculum. Students will participate in Project-Based Learning experiences. This structured approach integrates in a way that challenges and engages gifted learners through hands-on, inquiry-driven projects. It leverages gifted students' natural curiosity, creativity, and advanced cognitive abilities, allowing them to explore complex problems, collaborate, and develop solutions in real-world contexts.

Tier 3: Qualification

• Step 1:  Automatic Qualification

  • A student will qualify without a committee review if that student scores in the 97th percentile or higher ( VQN score) compared to same-grade peers at SRCS on the school-administered Fall CogAT Test. SRCS will not grant this designation for any score other than the school CogAT. 

  • Students who score in the 97th percentile (or higher) compared to grade-level peers at SRCS on the VQN score of the Fall CogAT will qualify without committee review.

  • Only scores from the SRCS-administered CogAT are accepted.

For any other student who does not automatically qualify, that student’s placement review goes to Step 2.

• Step 2:  Holistic Review

  • The TAG Committee, chaired by the Dean of Student Success, along with administration, classroom teacher, instructional specialist, and guidance counselor representation, will utilize The SRCS Eligibility Matrix to review any CogAT score that places a student in the 90th percentile (CogAT VQN) or higher compared to the same grade peers and St. Rita. 

Categories to be reviewed  include:

• CogAT Score Review

• Subtest Score Review

• Quarter 1 Benchmark Scores in Math and Reading Review (a variety of instruments) 

• GATES Assessment administered through the Success Center

Assessment in the ATIC program includes not only academic growth but also how students demonstrate virtues such as perseverance, humility, and a spirit of collaboration. We assess the whole child, recognizing that the goal of education is not just achievement, but formation.

At SRCS, a student scoring below the 90th percentile on CogAT will not likely qualify for a TAG Cluster.

Yearly Placement Review Process for Tier 2 and Tier 3 Clusters

ATIC Program Placement Timeline:

Phase 1

The Student Success Team will reassess all ATIC Tier 2 and 3 placements after Quarter 1 of the new school year.  Students who requalify along with new ATIC Tier 2 and 3 placements will be notified before the end of Quarter 2. Updated Tier 2 and 3 placements will begin in Quarter 3 (January). 

Phase 2

The new Tier 2 or 3 Placement will begin in January of the current school year and last until January of the next school year. 

SIXTH THROUGH EIGHTH-GRADE ACADEMICALLY TALENTED INSTRUCTIONAL CLUSTER (ATIC)

SRCS students with high academic abilities need concurrent enrollment in advanced programs that will challenge them. Therefore, SRCS offers a curriculum that combines a continued focus on foundational principles with the expectation that students pursue their unique interests and develop more independent learning. 

Tier 1: Universal Enrichment- All SRCS Students (Grades 6-8)

• All sixth through eighth graders participate in daily block-scheduled ELAR and mathematics classes with flexible grouping for targeted improvement.

  • Targeted Instruction Opportunities

    • Math Matrix- Math Support

    • Reading and Writing Lab–ELAR Support

  • Opportunity to qualify for accelerated and advanced academic curriculum in ELAR and mathematics that incorporates the curriculum into project-based learning experiences designed to be multidisciplinary in nature

  • Choice of courses from a provided list to hone individual interests in the areas of physical education, art, music, Innovation Labs, technology, languages other than English, and extra-curricular areas

Tier 2: Enrichment 

SRCS utilizes skills-based flexible groupings in the two 80-minute class blocks: math and ELAR. The Enrichment Clusters constantly change based on the needs of students in both math and ELAR. Classroom teachers identify students who would benefit from enrichment as the students progress and master the curriculum. Math enrichment is offered through our Instructional Math Specialist in the Math Matrix.  ELAR enrichment is offered through our Instructional Aides and Instructional ELAR Specialist in the Reading & Writing Lab.  

Tier 3:  Honors/Advanced Academics

The SRCS Honors/Advanced Academics classes are designed for students with exceptional academic achievement potential.  SRCS offers middle school students two tracks in Tier 3. The first track is Honors Class Placement.  Honors classes do not replace grade-level content.  Instead, the curriculum is offered to provide more depth and complexity, move slightly faster, focus on critical thinking and deeper analysis, and include independent projects.  The second track is Advanced Academic Classes, which are full content-replacement and accelerated learning. Students in this program are ready to explicitly develop complex critical thinking skills, explore topics in-depth, and actively participate in project-based learning that goes far beyond the grade level curriculum.  The pace of the class is significantly accelerated, connects interdisciplinary concepts, requires individual curiosity, and is designed for highly motivated students ready for intense academic challenges. 

Tier 3: Qualification

• Step 1:  Automatic Qualification

  • A student will qualify without a committee review if that student scores in the 97th percentile or higher compared to same-grade peers at SRCS on the school-administered CogAT Test. SRCS will not grant this designation for any score other than the school CogAT. 

For any other student who does not automatically qualify, that student’s placement review goes to Step 2.

• Step 2:  Holistic Review

  • The Academic Committee, chaired by the Dean of Student Success, will utilize The SRCS Eligibility Matrix to review any CogAT score that places a student in the 90th percentile or higher compared to the same grade peers and SRCS. 

Categories to be reviewed  include:

• CogAT Score Review

• Quarter 1 Benchmark Scores in Math and Reading Review (a variety of instruments) 

• GATES Assessment administered through the Success Center

Academic Placement Committee

• SRCS accepts outside psycho-educational evaluations for supplemental data and committee review. 

• SRCS reviews teacher recommendations as supplemental data as well as a committee review.

• SRCS Advanced Academic Committee reviews any student who does not maintain a 94% or greater average and who also accumulates more than 2 missing assignments during a quarter for continuation in an advanced academic class. 

• Parents may email the SRCS Advanced Placement Committee at apc@strita.net in order to request a placement review for their student. 

Entrance and Exit Points for Advanced Academic Programs

In an effort to monitor growth and development, St. Rita Catholic School has modified its entrance and exit points for Advanced Academic Programming. 

• The qualification window for advanced academic placement occurs at the beginning of fifth grade and at the beginning of seventh grade. Students who enter an advanced academics program may stay for two years. 

• Students who do not qualify at the beginning of fifth grade, but who do qualify at the beginning of sixth may be added in sixth grade. 

• At the end of sixth grade, all students will be reevaluated and must meet the outlined criteria for entrance in the advanced academic program in seventh grade. If a student’s scores do not meet the advanced academics benchmark criteria, following sixth grade, a student will be offered placement into our standard enhanced curriculum class with an option to continue to work towards an honors certificate. 

  • Parents of students who may be struggling and who may not be invited to continue will be notified of teacher concerns at the Christmas break in sixth grade. Official notification of placement for the following year will be sent in the spring. 

• If a student qualifies after seventh grade for eighth grade advanced academic programs, that student may have the opportunity to reenter the program. If a student decides to turn down an advanced academic placement, that student may not reenter the program until seventh grade. 

Due to the formative and summative assessment program in our Advanced Academic classes, if a student’s grade drops below 94% or accumulates greater than 2 missing assignments, their inclusion in the advanced program will be reviewed by the St. Rita Catholic School Advanced Academic Committee. 

NATIONAL JUNIOR HONORS SOCIETY (NJHS)

St. Rita Catholic School is an enthusiastic participant in the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS).  Like the National Honor Society, the NJHS is a co-curricular opportunity that recognizes middle school (grades 7 and 8) students who demonstrate outstanding performance in each of the following areas: scholarship, leadership, service, and character.  A Catholic school should call upon students to appreciate and develop the gifts with which they have been blessed.  Given the types of personal and civic qualities endorsed by NJHS, this program provides the school an opportunity to recognize the academic, service and leadership characteristics of students and, more importantly, engage participants in further leadership and service experiences aimed at nurturing and, in some cases, enhancing the spiritual, academic and social goals of the school.    

In order to qualify for NJHS, students must be presently enrolled in grade 7 or grade 8 and meet each component outlined in the following four-part criteria:

1. Scholarship Requirements:   

   • Students must earn an overall average for two consecutive quarters that places them in the top 10% of their class before the application season begins.  

2. Service Requirements: 

   • The quality of service experiences is weighted more heavily in the selection of members than the quantity.  

   • Some examples of service would be serving at mass, cantoring for school masses, and serving for funerals, helping to set up the church for Christmas and Easter, reading at mass; belonging to the Upstanders, Safety Patrol, or HOPE Squad.  Additional service opportunities may be done as a Junior National Honor Society group.

   • A total of 10 service hours are required which include parish and community involvement.  

3. Leadership Requirements: 

   • Regular attendance of the student at school without frequent tardiness 

   • Active participation in school-related and/or extra-curricular activities 

4. Character Requirements: 

   • No notable or consistent pattern of behavior violations, disrespect, or organizational problems.

   • No incidents related to the bullying of other students 

   • An observable commitment to inclusiveness, kindness, and “doing one’s best”.

Those students who qualify for NJHS will be invited to submit an application to members of the Faculty Council who will make determinations based on the criteria outlined above.  Students accepted as members will formally join NJHS at an induction ceremony, which will be held twice a year, once in the fall semester and once in the spring semester.  Members will participate in a variety of service and leadership activities (to be coordinated with the help of the Faculty Council) while a part of NJHS.  As members, all students will be expected to continue to meet the standards (academic and otherwise) which served as the basis for their selection to the program.  

Dues

Fees may be incurred for items such as t-shirts, pins, etc. at a later date and if voted on by the Chapter.

No student will be denied membership due to an inability to pay the above mentioned fees.