Curriculum

Curriculum at School of the Epiphany

Various sources of evidence indicate that the curricular program at Epiphany is highly successful. Students make steady progress throughout their years at Epiphany, with eighth graders usually obtaining scores in the high average and above average range on their standardized tests. In addition, the school's API (Academic Performance Index) consistently ranks it in the highest strata of neighborhood schools. Epiphany students participate in a variety of regional competitions including the California Science Faire, the National Academic Decathlon, the National Geographic Geography Bee, the National Spelling Bee and regularly win awards.

One of the distinguishing characteristics of the School of the Epiphany is the program instituted to support students with academic needs. A student who is experiencing academic difficulties may receive help from a plethora of sources. The Educational Therapist is available to help students with identified special needs. Students may be placed in the Title 1 Remedial Education Program. All teachers have additional tutoring time to aid students having difficulties. The library is open after school for study hall. All classrooms have computers connected to the Internet, and a mobile computer lab is available for classroom use during the day and remedial work after school. Epiphany also provides an academic summer school with priority enrollment given to students in need of remediation before entering the next grade.

Various in-curriculum programs are offered in the areas of Spanish, computer, music, and PE. The middle school exploratory program includes classes in art, badminton, electronic music, great books, wood working, cooking, Tagalog, handbells, journalism, choral singing, card making, karate, and photography. Piano classes are offered after school. Extended care is available before and after school.

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Foreign Language

-Spanish Program of Epiphany provides classes from grades K to 8.
-The Methodology of the Spanish program is a process of gradual immersion of the kids into a new language.
- A series of sequential activities through a SIX step process is use to accomplish the repetition necessary in learning a new language.
- Trough these sequential game activities the language is kept alive an active so that the students are gradually forced to survive in the language.

- MUSIC: First years of a new language is very important so we use the SING ALONG CD with KINDERGARTEN.
- From Grades 1st to 5th we use different Books Series. These are divided in 8 units. Every book comes with a CD, Vocabulary Paper and a Listening Sheet.

Library and Media Center

Middle School Exploratory Classes

School of the Epiphany offers a program called Exploratories (similar to high school electives) to the middle school students. Exploratories take place on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons for a grading quarter or semester, depending on the Exploratory. Exploratories include Digital Music, Project Based Learning, German Language, First Aid & CPR, badminton, and Semester-long exploratories include Drama and handbells. In addition, qualified students in all three years of middle school are chosen for the school's Junior High Academic Decathlon team, which takes place of their first semester Exploratory.

Music

The goal of the Music program at School of the Epiphany is to foster a love of all kinds of music. Kindergarten through Third Grades focus primarily on singing in the classroom. These primary grades also begin to learn the basics of theory, including notation, the staff, and rhythm. Grades Four through Six focus primarily on music performance with the Baroque Recorder. These grades develop the skills of reading, making and performing music. All grades enjoy Music Appreciation activities—listening to music of various styles, and from various historical periods. Given the Catholic identity of our school, the preparation of liturgical music for church services is always a priority.