St. Philip School at 797 Valley Road, Clifton, NJ 07013 US - Services

Academics

MathematicsLanguage Arts/LiteracyScienceSocial Studies

Our Mathematics Department, in conjunction with the NJCCCS, is focused on achieving one crucial goal: To enable all students to acquire the mathematical skills, understandings, and attitudes that they will need to be successful in their careers and daily lives.

We do this by establishing learning environments that facilitate mathematical experiences; which specifically include manipulatives, calculators and writing experiences, providing real and interesting activities and have our students understand important mathematical concepts rather than simply memorizing and practicing procedures, setting high expectations for all students, and using a variety of assessment strategies, not just traditional short answer tests.

In conjunction with the NJCCCS, our Language Arts/Literacy program is designed to capture language experiences all students need to grow intellectually, socially, and emotionally.

We do this through explicit teaching of skills, including the teaching of Phonics, as a means of supporting mastery of standard English, comprehension strategies, and communication skills, exposure to and experience with may literary genres through reaction, reflection and introspection, and various instructional skills and strategies, including direct and explicit instruction, modeling skills/strategies for students, and opportunities for students to become competent readers, writers, speakers, listeners and viewers.

We believe that in accordance with the NJCCCS, Science should be taught at all levels with awareness of its connection to other subjects and the needs of society.

We recognize the need for inclusion of fundamental understandings in life, earth and space and physical sciences, and consider this of paramount importance. Through the inquiry method and hands-on experiences, students develop the qualities inherent in the practice of science, such as curiosity, skepticism, and open-mindedness.

Mindful of the goals presented by the NJCCCS, Social Studies education includes the study of civics, history, economics and geography.

Our instruction is based upon knowledge, traditions, and values that flow from the history and experience of Western civilization. There is also a legacy of contributions from the African and Asian cultures that form part of our eclectic, multicultural society.

All students need a base of historical literacy when studying the social studies. Instructional strategies guide students in developing a basic working knowledge of the major events and persons in American and New Jersey history, and some areas of world history.

World Language

In this global community, the need to function competently in more than one language has become increasingly important to participate fully in the economic, political, and social life of a state with over 100 ethnic groups, and where more than 150 different languages are spoken. Only by preparing students with an education comparable to the best that schools around the world offer - one that includes the study of world languages - can the goal of leaving no child behind be achieved.

Students at St. Philip the Apostle School Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 3 receive weekly instruction in Spanish. Grades 4 through 8 receive Spanish instruction twice weekly. In addition, grades 7 and 8 receive instruction in Latin weekly. World Language is considered a major subject for Honor Roll status.

Kaleidoscope

The Kaleidoscope Program is an innovative program addressing the needs of academically gifted students, Grades 1 through 8, in the subject areas of Reading and Math.

The Kaleidoscope Faculty is committed to the creation of a challenging learning environment through the process of a modified and accelerated curriculum, which addresses modes of creative problem solving, interdisciplinary activities, cooperative learning and independent study opportunities.

Criteria for Entrance:
• • TerraNova: 95th percentile and above
• • Program Subject Testing
• • Teacher Recommendation
• • Kaleidoscope Approval

Fine Arts

Visual, Performing and Related Arts are instructed weekly. These are Art, Music, Computer, and Library Skills. Physical Education is conducted weekly. To those students interested in instruments, instruction begins in Grade 3.

Middle School Fine Arts

Our students in grades 6, 7, and 8 participate weekly in our award winning Fine Arts Program. This program, based on Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences, affords our students the opportunity to participate in the various disciplines. The length of each course is one semester:
• • Culinary Arts
• • Visual Arts
• • Music Appreciation
• • Film
• • Dance
• • Newspaper

The St. Philip School Band

The SPS Band, led by Mrs. Kim Rich, is comprised of our advanced band students. These talented students enhance our music program during liturgies, school plays and special events. In addition, each year our SPS Band is invited to perform at the Paramus Park Mall much to the delight of the bustling Christmas shoppers!

Technology

Staying abreast of the rapidly changing technology arena is critical in today’s learning environment, both for our teachers and our students. Each student has a weekly class in technology, which includes learning all realms of computing that affect them as students, from keyboarding to safe use of the internet. Our computer lab is equipped with wireless networks throughout the school, a multitude of SmartBoards and laptops and up-to-date filtration systems to ensure the intellectual safety of our students.

In addition, all classrooms have at least one computer that is fully networked. All teachers have access to our SmartBoards and video capability. Alpha Neo’s are used in many classrooms to assist our younger learners and a laptop lab will be newly available as well.

We have a fully equipped media/conference room with state of the art projectors and sound for the benefit of both our staff and students. Our teachers participate in state-of-the-art eSeminars as part of their staff development.

Special Services

Our school Nurse is available each day (9:00 – 3:00) to attend to the medical needs of our students. In addition, the services of the Child Study Team, Essex County Special Service Teachers, and two school counselors, are available to those students who need them.