General Information Kindergarten to Grade 7
Roanoke Catholic’s Lower School is dedicated to excellence in education and to the spiritual development of youth within the framework of the Gospel. As a college preparatory school, our certified teachers instruct in a spiral approach that constantly reviews and adds age-appropriate new material.
Lower School comprises both elementary and middle school divisions. Students’ day begins at 7:45 a.m. K-5 Lower School ends at 2:45 p.m., while Middle School (Grades 6-7) dismisses at 3:00 p.m. We work hard to keep our class sizes small with a focus on individual need, and we are proud of our current 15:1 student to teacher ratio.
CLICK HERE FOR GRADES K-7 CURRICULUM GUIDE
Academic Honors
At the end of each quarter, students in grades 2-7 achieving first and second honors are recognized within their classrooms and receive certificates. First Honors: all grades of 90 or above. Second Honors: all grades of 80 or above.
Homework
Homework assignments should supplement and reinforce classroom teaching and learning, and should be a productive experience for all children. However, students work at different paces; what one student can accomplish in 15 minutes is what another may accomplish in 60 minutes. The Lower School recommends the following guidelines for homework time:
- Grades 1-2: 20-30 minutes
- Grade 3: 40-45 minutes
- Grades 4-5: 45-60 minutes
- Grades 6-7: 1 to 2 hours
Grading Scale
| Grading Scale | |
|---|---|
| A+ | 97 – 100 |
| A | 93 – 96 |
| A- | 90 – 92 |
| B+ | 87 – 89 |
| B | 83 – 86 |
| B- | 80 – 82 |
| C+ | 77 – 79 |
| C | 73 – 76 |
| C- | 70 – 72 |
| D+ | 67 – 69 |
| D | 63 – 66 |
| D- | 60 – 62 |
| F | 59 and Below |
Note: Grades PK-2 utilize a 3, 2, 1 grading scale to communicate mastery, progress, or below grade level standards on skills.
Serving Christ In One Another
Students who show selfless, exemplary Christian behavior and attitude toward other students and adults on a daily basis may earn this most prestigious award to be given quarterly or at the final awards assembly. This award may be received once as a Lower School / Middle School student and has the potential to be awarded once again as an Upper School Student.
All students, regardless of their faith backgrounds, study religion daily. Classes consist of prayer, Bible study, Catholic teachings, and planning of liturgical celebrations. Students attend Mass or other liturgical celebration between two to four times per month. Each class takes a turn planning and executing the celebration for the rest of the school. Sacramental preparation is reserved to the parishes.
Each religion class adopts a local social service agency. The students learn about how that agency helps people, and how they, as a class, can help a local service agency in town. Examples of these agencies include Ronald MacDonald House, Madonna House, St. Francis House, RAM House, and the Turning Point Shelter.
Specials
Students in Grades K-5 each week receive instruction in art, music, computer skills and library. All students in K-7 have two physical education classes each week and all students have daily recess. Middle School students (Grades 6-7) rotate their “special” subjects, devoting 47 minutes of Art or Music at least once a week, and quarterly rotate through foreign language, computer, art or music, and library.