ACRE Test Results, Grades 5 and 8 2010
Terra Nova Scores, Spring 2010

Spirituality
Our school is administered by the Oblate Sisters of Saint Francis de Sales who bring their Salesian spirituality to our school community. Our students learn to direct all that they do each day to God in asking his blessing and guidance on their day.

Our Priests celebrate Mass weekly for our students and visit our upper level classes weekly. They direct ad guide our children, faculty and families. We are blessed to have many opportunities for our students to learn and express their faith, including

• morning and afternoon prayer
• weekly Mass prepared by the students
• daily Religion classes
• our annual Living Rosary
• our May Crowning
• Stations of the Cross
• Sacramental preparation and the sacrament of Reconciliation.

Our school has been committed to developing a spirit of service in our students since our opening. This includes

• our annual Giving Tree for needy babies in our area
• weekly lunches for the homeless shelter
• classroom ‘Hope’ projects to assist and give hope to a group designated by the class and
• a Catholic Schools Week fundraiser.
• food drives for the Food Bank
• assisting our area Social Services at Christmas time.
• donations for the Missions in Africa and Latin America, Holy Childhood and Catholic Charities.

Our Middle School students can serve our community and those most in need in our Student Council or Young Catholics for Change Service Group.

Curriculum
Our academic program is strong as is demonstrated by the success of our graduates and our above average standardized test scores. Each year, we evaluate and update textbooks, teaching methods and classroom materials. At Holy Cross Academy we believe that we must continually renew and revitalize our academic program in order to provide our students with the best education possible.

Beginning in Kindergarten, our students experience a strong Reading and Language Readiness program. They also focus on beginning math skills. This strong foundation allows them to blossom in First Grade as they learn to read and write and add and subtract with confidence. We have recently developed a Writing Program to insure the progression of our students through the various forms of writing, both creative and functional. Our students are taught to produce a Final Product of which they can be proud. Our reading and writing programs continue through the Middle School, culminating in the writing of original plays and short stories.

Emphasis in Mathematics in the earlier grades is on beginning concepts and basic skills. Our students are required to memorize their Math facts so that they can use them with confidence. By the 8th grade, students have the opportunity to take Algebra I for high school credit. Our graduates tell us of their success and ease in tackling Algebra II and Geometry in high school and credit their fine teachers with preparing them so well for higher level Math courses. Students in grades 4 to 8 have the opportunity to compete in Math Olympiads.

Science in the elementary grades in based upon exploration and curiosity. Our Science program offers many activities to our children with grow labs and incubators and butterfly gardens. In the Middle School, our students take Science in our beautiful lab. They enjoy working with the weather station, microscopes and other equipment, as well as hands-on projects in learning about ecosystems and our environment.  Our 7th and 8th graders participate in the Diocesan Science Fair and our 6th graders share their love of the subject in our after-school Science Squad.

Our Social Studies program leads the students from their local community through ancient civilizations and into American History. Each year students in 4th through 8th grade participate in the National Geography Bee in which 3 of our students have been state finalists.

Our students are exposed to Spanish beginning in Kindergarten. By the end of 8th grade, they have completed Spanish I for high school credit. The students learn both the language and the incredibly rich culture of Spain and Latin America.

Our Library collection is constantly updated and contains a research center for student use. Students are able t participate in the Accelerated Reader program, challenging themselves to attain higher levels of excellence.

We are blessed with excellent Art and Music programs which develop the creativity within each of our students. Student may choose to join our school chorus, Youth of Note, or take band, strings or keyboarding lessons in Music, in addition to their regular classes. We offer several cultural enrichment programs to our students every year.

Our students are encouraged to participate in the Johns Hopkins Talent Search and leadership weekends and camps during the summer. We regularly send students to the UVA Gifted Program, among others.

Students in 7th and 8th grade have the opportunity to be part of the National Junior Honor Society. Besides academic excellence, students are chosen who demonstrate leadership, good character, scholarship, service and citizenship.

Our Physical Education program emphasizes physical fitness and is a cornerstone of our Wellness program throughout the school.

Our students are led to develop their business and financial knowledge in our Junior Achievement program run by parent and community volunteers.