St. Anthony Cathedral School was recognized during the 1999 school year as a National Blue Ribbo n School. This national award speaks for itself. SACS students enjoy a challenging an enriched curriculum. Essential skills mastery is foundational, and student programs are individualized as needed.

Our established pre-school program offers a strong readiness curriculum in the context of a day that is balanced with instructional activities, hands~on activities, and both structured play and free play.

Our kindergarten and grade school curriculum is based on the TEKS, national standards, and diocesan guidelines that prepare our students to be successful at Monsignor Kelly Catholic High School which emphasizes a college preparatory program. On the Stanford Achievement Test, every class in our school averaged above grade level. Instruction is student-centered. Our students apply learning through participation in projects, plays, science fair, PSIA competitions, spelling bees, math competitions, and the Duke University Talent Identification. Over the years, our students have earned many awards. Most recently, SACS students won the Diocesan Math Tournament and the Diocesan Science Fair. We sent twenty students to the state PSIA competition. Two of our teams placed at the Houston Science and Engineering Fair. (They were competing against hundreds of participants- some from very large schools that specialize in teaching science and math.) Furthermore, we offer advanced math and advanced French classes to our middle school students

Additionally, since we are a small school, our students have many opportunities to develop leadership skills. When we have a play or a program, everyone participates. We also have Student Council and National Junior Honor Society .

To support our education program, we have a fully equipped laboratory, computer lab, and library. Our science program includes hands-on opportunities for both elementary and middle school students. Our computer technology is being integrated into the classrooms more and more. We have a class set of computers with the Internet access for research and instructional purposes. We also have computers in every classroom. Additionally, we use the Accelerated Reader program with great success.

Learning for our students takes place outside of the classroom as well. Our students go to puppet shows, the symphony, and the ballet. Every fifth grader looks forward to going to Camp Kappe which is an environmental school run by the Dominicans in the Diocese of Galveston-Houston. Our eighth graders go to Disneyworld. In addition to enjoying the park, they attend seminars on physics and other topics.

Students in the Diocese of Beaumont take the Stanford Achievement Test annually. This nationally normed test is respected and widely used across the country. All classes at SACS score at or above grade level. Over 40% of the seventh grade class qualifies to take the Duke University Talent Search test annually.

---

ACADEMIC INFORMATION

School Schedules
Drop off  -  7:15am to 7:50am
Pick up  -  3:00pm
Please use our Jefferson Street drive through.

Pre-Kindergarten 3 and 4 Kindergarten – Eighth Grade Extended Day Program Wednesday Mass (or as indicated on the monthly school calendar)

7:50am – 2:50pm 7:50am – 3:00pm 3:15pm – 5:30pm 8:10am

School personnel are not responsible for supervision of children before 7:15am or after 3:15pm.  Extended Day personnel will supervise students after 3:15pm.  Charges for Aftercare begin at 3:30pm.

The last Monday of each month is usually an early dismissal day.

Curriculum The Diocese of Beaumont has adopted the curriculum produced by the Region V Curriculum Leadership Cooperative.  This curriculum is based on state and national standards.  The curriculum includes:
	Religion Religion includes Catholic doctrine, Tradition, Scripture, and Social Justice.  Eucharistic liturgies are celebrated every Wednesday at 8:10am.  Students Participate in First Friday Adoration, bi-monthly Reconciliation, recitation of the Rosary, Stations of the Cross, the Passion of Jesus, and May Crowning. Language Arts Language Arts is composed of Reading, English, Spelling, Writing, Literature, and Library Skills.  The Accelerated Reader is integrated into the language arts. Mathematics Mathematics includes basic skills, advanced skills, Pre-Algebra and Algebra I. Physical Education The physical education program is grade appropriate.  Health classes are included in the physical education program.  The sports program includes Soccer, Volleyball, Basketball, Football, Track, Softball and Cheerleading. Social Studies Social Studies is composed of History, Geography, Economics, Civics, and Current Events. Science Science includes General Science and Laboratory experiences with emphasis on both content knowledge and process skills. Fine Arts The Fine Arts include Music, and Art.  Private music and guitar lessons are also available. Foreign Language Spanish is taught at all grade levels. Computer Literacy Computer Literacy is made up of Keyboarding, Word Processing, Database, Spreadsheets, and Power Point. Extra – Curricular Activities Extra – Curricular Activities include Private Schools Interscholastic Association Competition (PSIA), Math competitions, Houston Chronicle Spelling Bee, 8th Grade Dinner Theatre, National Junior Honor Society, Student Council, Science Fair, Hand Bell Choir, Cheerleading, and School of Environment Education (Camp Kappe).
Homework Formal home study is assigned to help students become self-reliant and self-directed.  Assignments are designed to reinforce daily lessons and to supplement and enrich class work.  Homework is based on material that has been previously presented.  Parents are encouraged to foster systematic study habits and provide a quiet, uninterrupted time and place for the purpose.  The time required for homework will gradually increase as the child advances through school. Parents may check the teachers’ Edline web pages for homework assignments or call the office at 832-3486 ext.110.  Assignments may be picked up in the office between 3:00pm and 3:30pm.  Assignment books are provided for students in grades 2-8.  The cost for an additional assignment book is $5.00. The cost of replacing a conduct log is $1.00.
Minimum Edline Standards Webpage:
In the Contents Section: Course Syllabus Class Rules Teacher/Student Expectations Policy and Procedures Grading System In the Calendar Section: *Major Assignments (includes special projects/presentations) – Posted 1 week in advance Test Dates – Posted 1 week in advance ** “Check Planner for Daily Assignments” * When assigning special projects and/or presentations, include the full description grading procedure, and due dates associated with it. ** Instead of posting daily assignments, students (and parents) can check their planner for daily work/homework. GradeQuick to Edline Report Format: Report formats are to be customized by each school to meet their needs.  Each schools’ report format must be the same across the board. Weekly posting of grades and updating of Edline webpage must be current every Monday by 8 am. Minimum standards are required effective September of 2006. Internet Acceptable Use Policy SACS encourages the use of advanced technology afforded by Internet access.  Parents and guardians of minors are responsible for teaching the standards that children should follow when using the Internet.  The school reinforces those standards.  At school students are instructed to: Obtain parental permission for Internet access (form must be on file with media teacher Be responsible for one’s own behavior and practice appropriate etiquette.  All rules of conduct in the handbook apply. Use technology only to support educational and/or research consistent with the objectives of the school. Use resources only as intended following the rules appropriate for network. Never transmit any material in violation of federal or state regulation including copyrighted, threatening, obscene or protected material.  (Students in violation may be subject to legal action.) Never use technology for commercial activities, product advertisement, political lobbying, or non-academic activities. Never save research or other information to hard drive.  All needed information is to be saved on a disk. Use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in cancellation of those privileges.  School officials may review files and communications to maintain system integrity and ensure responsible use. Decisions of school officials regarding unacceptable use are final. Grading The academic success of each student requires constant communication between parent and teacher. Please review all graded papers. Grading Scale A+ 98-100 A 93-97 A- 90-92 Outstanding:  Masters all assigned work, attacks and completes work independently, shows originality and initiative, does more than required and makes excellent contributions in class. B+ 87-89 B 83-86 B- 80-82 Above Average:  Masters major portion of work, works with little assistance from others, is alert and shows interest in work, completes work on time, and makes good responses in class. C+ 79 C 76-78 C- 75 Average:  Satisfactorily completes most assigned work, works under normal conditions and directions, shows interest in work, completes work on time, and makes good responses in class. D+ 74 D 71-73 D- 70 Below Average:  Achieves below grade standard, completes a minimum of assigned work, and seldom responds in class. F 69-0 Failure:  Achieves far below grade level and makes little progress in schoolwork.

Thursday Folders
Thursday Folders will be sent home weekly with the students' current academic achievements and important school communications. These should be signed by parents and returned the next day. Student work may be sent in the Thursday Folder for parent review.

Progress Reports
Progress Reports will be sent during the 5^th week of the nine-week grading period.

Report Cards
Report cards will be issued at the end of each nine-week grading period. Cards should be signed and returned immediately. A fee of $5.00 will be charged for the replacement of lost or damaged report cards in grades K – 2.

Pre-K students will receive semester reports only. Report Card scores will be recorded using letter grades.

Parent Conferences
Parent/teacher/student conferences are held each year in October and March. Student attendance with parents is required as this is counted as a school day.

Academic Probation
A student whose academic performance indicates serious deficiencies may be placed on academic probation and participation in extra-curricular activities will be denied. If after adequate time, the student shows insufficient improvement, the administration reserves the right to have the student withdrawn from St. Anthony Cathedral School.

Testing Program
The Terra Nova standardized test is administered in the fall.

Promotion Policy and Retention Policy
Advancement to the next level in St. Anthony Cathedral School is based on a student's daily performance, test results, recommendations of teachers, and his/her ability to complete work successfully on a more advanced level. Promotion to the next grade level depends on successful completion of all subject areas. In the elementary grades, the student shall attain an overall average of 70 or above, which is derived by averaging the final numerical grade in language arts and mathematics. In the middle grades, to be promoted, the student shall attain an average of 70 or above in five of the following subjects: religion, English, reading, mathematics, social studies, and science. After conferencing with teachers and parents, the principal will inform the parents, within the last nine-week grading period, of the retention of the student. Summer school or tutoring may be recommended in lieu of retention. SACS strives to enable each student to achieve his/her maximum potential. Retention of a student at any grade level is always done in the best interest of the student.

Student Records
SACS abides by the provisions of the Buckley Amendment (Family Education Rights and Privacy Act) regarding access to student records and the rights of non-custodial parents. In the absence of a court order to the contrary, the school will provide the non-custodial parent with access to academic records. If access is denied by the court order, it is the custodial parent's responsibility to provide the school with an official copy of the order. Additionally, parent requests to view records must be made in writing.