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