Academic Excellence
OLPH School seeks continuous improvement in its educational offerings and facilities, consistent with the requirements of the Course of Study for Elementary Schools of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. We promote a positive learning environment with an emphasis on mastery of basic skills, rooted in the fundamentals and complemented by the advances in instructional technology.
Differentiation
As every parent knows, no two children are alike and no two children learn alike either! OLPH is sensitive to this uniqueness. Teachers view each child as an individual, aware of each student’s individuality while encouraging students to work constructively as a school community. OLPH School has made tremendous strides to better serve its student community.
Our Reading Specialist provides early intervention and support to K-3rd Grade students and communicates regularly with parents and teachers. The Marian Program was developed to help students in 3rd – 8th Grades with diagnosed learning differences reach their potential and have a positive and successful school experience.
Standardized Testing
In alignment with the Archdiocese of Baltimore Department of Catholic Schools OLPH uses Scantron as the official standardized assessment platform. The Scantron Performance Series is administered three times each year in fall, winter, and spring to students in grades 2 through 8 in core content areas.
An assessment for learning, the results from the Performance Series are
used to identify students’ ability levels, demonstrate academic growth over time, and place our students in appropriate instructional programs.
Accreditation
All Archdiocesan high schools and elementary schools are accredited as a system through AdvancED. Every five years, the Department of Catholic Schools completes the system-wide accreditation review, which culminates with a visit by an AdvancED External Review Team. OLPH is evaluated based on the National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools.
Language Arts
The ELA curriculum is phonics-based with a strong emphasis on literature, writing, spelling, and oral reading with fluency and expression, including the comprehension and recognition of high-frequency words.
Math
The math curriculum emphasizes an understanding of concepts such as time, money, computation, and problem-solving.
Science
The core curriculum also includes science, in which life, physical, and earth science themes are taught. Cross-curricular lessons, hands-on materials, experiments, and computer activities are used to help enhance learning objectives.
Social Studies
Themes such as communities, cultural diversity, transportation, and natural resources are taught as part of the social studies curriculum in addition to the introductory study of maps, globes, land formations, continents, and planets. Manipulatives, calculators, computers, and cooperative group activities are used to invoke logical thinking skills.
Catholic Faith
Daily prayer and religion lessons, including sacraments and Bible stories, are integrated throughout the curriculum. An appreciation of Catholic identity and participation in outreach service opportunities are ways in which our faith is shared.
Language Arts
The language arts curriculum focuses on reading, comprehension, higher-level thinking skills, use of cursive writing, and creative writing using correct grammar and punctuation. Public speaking opportunities are used to reinforce learning objectives and increase independence and confidence. Significant importance is placed upon the areas of science and social studies where inferential reading skills are emphasized.
Math
Science
Through the study of life, physical and earth science, investigative skills are developed through hands-on lab experiences requiring an understanding of the scientific method.
Social Studies
The social studies curriculum emphasizes geography, map reading, and organized writing, and hands-on imaginative creativity and learning are focused on communities, regions, and Early American History. Cross-curricular activities as well as technology integration are used to enhance learning goals.
Catholic Faith
The Religion curriculum continues to focus on the Catholic faith especially in the area of caring for one another in our school and community in conjunction with learning the Beatitudes, Ten Commandments, and Sacraments.
Language Arts
The language arts curriculum includes a literature-based reading program that promotes appreciation and understanding of the elements of various types of prose and poetry. Communication skills are developed through diverse writing and speaking activities, such as research papers and projects and debates. Standard usage, vocabulary, spelling, and grammar are then incorporated into this program utilizing individual and group work as well as technology integration.
Science
In the science curriculum, skill application is achieved through experiments, employing microscopes, and emphasizing the discovery and scientific methods. The Internet is used to provide opportunities for interactive learning, such as frog dissection and research.
Math
The math curriculum focuses on pre-algebra and algebra. Word problem and computational skills are fostered in cooperative learning groups. Technology use facilitates learning through interactive tutorials such as data and function graphing and linear equation systems.
Social Studies
The social studies curriculum focuses on developing critical thinking skills through reading and analyzing graphs, tables, and maps. Historical and current event information is presented, integrating art, math, science, and language arts. Internet research, report writing, and public speaking are also integral to gaining information.
Catholic Faith
The Religion course of study includes Bible literacy, Hebrew Scripture, New Testament, Liturgy and Worship, Creed, Church history, and family life education outlined by Archdiocese of Baltimore policy.
Community
A strong sense of community is one of the hallmarks of OLPH. There are many ways to connect and be involved, such as:
- Back-to-School Picnic
- Parish Dinner Nights
- Weekly Mass
- Christmas Pageant
- Living Nativity
- Fall Festival
- Halloween Trunk or Treat
- Annual Bull Roast
- Breakfast with Santa
- VIP Day
- Field Day
- Home & School Association (HSA)
- School Volunteer
It is our fellowship that makes us more than a school; we are indeed a family in Christ.
Embracing Family
Recognizing that parents are our students’ primary educators in faith and morality, our school fosters strong partnerships with our families. Working together, this consistency between home and school nurtures clarity and confidence in our students. OLPH provides a physical, emotional and spiritual safe haven and is blessed with beautiful diversity and offers a wealth of opportunities to welcome and engage every family.
Living Faith
Knowing the core of a person’s character is formed at a very young age. It is the passion of OLPH School to invite students to the love of Christ and Christian virtues during these precious formative years.
OLPH School seeks to foster a learning environment where the teachings of Jesus Christ, as passed down through the Catholic Church, are taught and lived daily. Formal and informal prayer permeate the school day, with a religion program stressing basic formation in the faith, sacramental preparation and participation, opportunities for worship as a school community, and the call to service shared by all Catholic Christians. This school is part of the total community of faith of the parish and considers growth in faith central to its existence.
