ACADEMICS

CURRICULUM

St. Joseph School follows the curriculum set forth by the Diocese of Little Rock. The In Spirit and Truth Curriculum Guide applies to all Pre K through 8th grade Catholic schools in Arkansas.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Doctrinal Elements of a Curriculum Framework for the Development of Catechetical Materials for Young People of High School Age and the Arkansas Department of Education Arkansas Academic Standards are used for grades 9th-12th.

ACADEMIC PROGRAM BY CLASS YEAR

Kindergarten

  • Language Arts

  • Life Skills

  • Mathematics

  • Religion

  • Social Studies

First Grade

  • English

  • Math

  • Reading

  • Religion

  • Science

  • Social Studies

  • Word Study

Second Grade

  • English

  • Math

  • Reading

  • Religion

  • Science

  • Social Studies

  • Word Study

Third Grade

  • English

  • Math

  • Reading

  • Religion

  • Science

  • Social Studies

  • Word Study

Fourth Grade

  • English

  • Math

  • Reading

  • Religion

  • Science

  • Social Studies

  • Spelling

Fifth Grade

  • English

  • Math

  • Reading

  • Religion

  • Science

  • Social Studies

  • Spelling

Sixth Grade

  • English

  • Math

  • Reading/Literature

  • Religion

  • Science

  • Social Studies

  • Spelling

Seventh Grade

  • Athletics/Physical Education

  • English

  • Math 7

  • Religion 7

  • Science 7

  • Study Skills

  • World Geography

Eighth Grade

  • Art (1 semester)

  • English

  • American History (1 semester), Arkansas History (1 semester), & Introduction to GIS (1 semester)

  • Pre-Algebra

  • Religion 8

  • Science 8

  • Choose one elective

Freshman

  • Algebra I or Honors Algebra I

  • Civics (1 semester) & Economics (1 semester)

  • English 9 or Honors English I

  • Computer I (1 semester)

  • Physical Science  or Honors Physical Science

  • Religion 9

  • Elective: Athletics or Health/Physical Education

Sophomore

  • Art I

  • Biology or Honors Biology

  • Geometry or Honors Geometry

  • English 10 (World Literature) or Honors English II

  • Religion 10

  • Choose two electives

Junior 

  • Algebra II or Honors Algebra II

  • English 11 (American Literature) or Honors English III

  • Oral Communication (1 semester) & Personal Finance (1 semester)

  • Religion 11

  • US History or Honors US History

  • Choose two electives

Senior

  • Algebra III, Concurrent Math 1580,  Honors Calculus, or Trigonometry/Pre-Calculus

  • English 12 (British Literature) or Honors English IV

  • Religion 12

  • World History or Concurrent World History I & II

  • Choose three electives

3rd science must be take junior or senior year:
Anatomy, Chemistry, General Science, Honors Anatomy, Honors Chemistry, Honors Physics, or Physics

GRADING SYSTEM

A = 90-100/ 4 pts.
B = 80-89/ 3 pts.
C = 70-79/ 2 pts.
D = 60-69/ 1 pt.
F = 59 and below/ 0 pt.

  • GPA distribution chart

  • Rank is not weighted

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

The following graduation requirements established by St. Joseph School in compliance with the standards of the Arkansas Nonpublic School Accrediting Association (ANSAA) and of the Office of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Little Rock. These requirements surpass those of the Arkansas Department of Education.

A minimum of twenty-five (25) units of credit are required for graduation. Listed by area of study, the minimum requirements are:

  • 4 units of Religion 

  • 4 units of English

  • 4 units of Mathematics

  • 3 units of Sciences

  • 3 units of Social Studies 

  • 1 unit of Computer Science

  • 1 unit of Physical Education

  • 1 unit of Fine Arts

  • 1 unit of Business

  • 3 units of Electives

MINIMUM CORE OF HIGH SCHOOL COURSES RECOMMENDED FOR PREPARATION FOR HIGHER EDUCATION 

Research and the experience of students, faculty, and administrators indicate that students taking a solid high school core of courses have better test scores and greater success in institutions of higher education. To increase your chances of success the following minimum core of courses is recommended: 

  • English - 4 units with emphasis on writing skills

  • Natural Science - 3 units, with labs, chosen from general Biology, Chemistry, or Physics

  • Mathematics - 4 units including Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and Trigonometry/Pre-Calculus

  • Social Studies - 3 units including U.S. History, World History, Civics (½ unit) and Economics (½ unit)

  • Foreign Language - 2 units in one foreign language