In each grade level, beginning with 4-year-old Pre-Kindergarten, students experience a variety of developmentally-appropriate special subjects. These courses, like the core curriculum, are designed to challenge and excite students to explore their God-given gifts and talents, and expose them to the concepts, skills, and culture of each subject.

Art

The mission of the art department at Saint Henry School is to provide a positive, nurturing, creative environment in which students can uncover and cultivate their artistic talent. Students will have the opportunity to explore numerous media and techniques and sharpen perception of aesthetic qualities by studying characteristics of visual forms from a variety of cultures and time periods.

Spanish

The interactive Spanish program at Saint Henry School engages students in a variety of ways to enhance the ability of students to speak, listen, read, and write the Spanish language. Beginning in Kindergarten and First grade, students are focused on listening and speaking the language. Students in Second through Fourth grade expand their skills to include reading and writing. The program expands further in Fifth through Eighth grade exposing students to a full Spanish I course, augmented to meet the maturity level of the students, and spread across multiple years.

Physical Education

At every grade level, students at Saint Henry School learn about sportsmanship, rules and regulations as they participate in physical education. In earlier grades, there is an emphasis on the safety, teamwork and care of equipment in addition to skill building and fun. Late, in grades Five through Eight, the program promotes fitness and instills self-confidence in each student, teaching them various ways to be healthy in their adult years.

Music, Band, & Choir

The music department offers students the chance to enjoy music while developing their aural, visual, spatial, tactile and emotional intelligence. Students are exposed to music from a myriad of time periods and cultures, and incorporate students’ spirituality by expressing prayer through music. As students advance, music instruction changes to match their developmental maturity. In early grades (Pre-K4 through third grade), students focus on the fundamentals of music with the primary goal of learning simple rhythms. To aid in this process, students use Orff and percussion instruments and dance. Progressing into fourth grade, all students learn to play the recorder, where they are instructed in proper technique for the instrument and how to play as part of a group. Students are presented with the options of Band or Handbells entering fifth grade, with the addition of Choir in sixth grade. All of these options build on the lessons begun in fourth grade, but increase in sophistication and expectation. Seventh and eighth grade students come together to form the Advanced Band and the Advanced Choir. Saint Henry School host concerts at Christmas and in the spring for students in grades four through eight to showcase their improved musical ability with the community.

Library

The library supports the educational program and the students by developing research skills including how to best utilize library materials and find high-quality information. Students learn valuable research tools using both traditional book sources and a variety of technology sources for cross-curricular projects. Additionally, the library helps students fall in love with reading by helping students find exciting recreational reading. Through the Accelerated Reader program, students are presented with developmentally appropriate book recommendations to help students find their next favorite book and offering enticing rewards.

Technology

Saint Henry School students are introduced to computers and technology beginning in Kindergarten and build their knowledge through eighth grade. Kindergarten through Third grade students have 1:1 access to Apple iPads in their home classrooms, and students in grades four through eight have 1:1 access Chromebooks. Throughout the building, Promethean ActivPanel interactive boards are installed in all classrooms, further augmenting the students’ interaction with and understanding of technology.

The formal computer curriculum covers a variety of topics and skills, with the concepts of digital citizenship and a Catholic-infused understanding of how to appropriately use technology underpinning every lesson. Classes are taught using project-based learning, sharpening student’s problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. In the full course of study, students will learn advanced skills in Microsoft Office Suite products including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Publisher, as well as similar skills in G-Suite applications. Students also learn how to successfully and safely use the internet as a learning and research tool, with special attention paid to remaining safe online. In grades five through eight, students are also introduced to Computer Assisted Design (CAD), 3-D printing, and coding using both block-coding and Python.