Religious instruction for students is meant to point them to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Students become familiar with God’s Word through Bible stories and meaningful memory verses they can keep close in their hearts and minds. Teachers guide students in applying lessons to their daily lives, and equip them with the knowledge of God’s love and forgiveness as revealed to us through His Son, Jesus Christ. The principles taught in Religion classes, faith in Jesus Christ and the message of the Gospel and a Christian world view are fully integrated in to all subjects at St. John’s.

• Primary Grades (1-3) – The Language Arts curriculum at St. John’s covers Reading, Grammar, Writing Composition, Spelling, Phonics, Listening and Speaking, and Penmanship. The Language Arts Program is designed to teach children through a balance of systematic direct instruction and the explicit development of skills, interrelating all components for a total Language Arts program.
• Upper Grades (4-5) – The language arts program gives students an opportunity to be exposed to quality authors and their works. Good literature provides a model for a sequential development of written and oral skills. It also provides experiences that allow each child to build upon an ever-expanding body of knowledge and ability, an invitation to question, reflect, predict and think critically. This results in a student awareness of reading being a relevant and enjoyable process. Our goal is to create a community of readers and writers.

• Primary Grades (1–3): The mathematics program provides a balanced approach in developing proficiency in age appropriate math skills and concepts. Mathematics is an active, investigative process that involves children on a physical, cognitive, and emotional level. A hands-on approach will stimulate curiosity about math and help develop an understanding of the importance of math in society and taught as a lifetime skill. Children are made aware of the usefulness of mathematics and how it relates to their daily lives. Mathematical concepts are taught using concrete facts and ideas so the child will attain computation and critical-thinking skills in a way that is relevant to children. The math program maximizes each student’s potential through explanation, modeling and awareness to promote the most rewarding experience. The program objectives are for all students to know basic concepts of mathematical processes and apply these concepts and principles to new situations and in problem solving by accessing prior knowledge.
• Upper Grades (4-5): The mathematics curriculum emphasizes mathematical applications and problem-solving skills through a firm foundation and understanding of basic concepts and operations. Both conceptual understanding and computational competency develop in progression by building on previous knowledge. Over time, by reinforcing awareness that math is meaningful and relevant in real-life situations, students gain respect for the significance of mathematics in their lives.
  

• Primary Grades (1–3): The Social Studies program uses facts, concepts, generalizations, and moral and value instruction to promote responsible citizenship. Students bring personal ideas, attitudes, and skills into the classroom. They share common experiences and similarities, mature in similar growth patterns, and share many common cultural experiences. The Social Studies education provides students with the opportunity to study their expanding environment from their own families to the diverse cultures of the world. Therefore, children develop interpersonal skills and knowledge which helps them interact and communicate with their peers as well as develop the resourcefulness needed to participate in a world-wide environment.
• Upper Grades (4-5): Students learn about the historical beginnings of their state and country and its subsequent development. They will learn about early civilizations and their contributions to society today. Through this course study, students are expected to develop appreciation of other cultures in our global community. Students also learn basic geographical skills to enable them to understand the physical world and man’s place in it.
  

Our students experience a hands-on program with scheduled lab activities. Our program integrates science with other curriculum areas such as mathematics, language arts, and social studies.

The science program at St. John’s strives to increase each child’s knowledge and understanding of God’s wondrous creation, the interrelationships of things in this creation, and the child’s place in all of this.

The purpose of the computer education program is to encourage students to use computers as a tool to accomplish a variety of tasks. Students are introduced to numerous applications that provide them with technology skills such as keyboarding, word processing, internet research and more. Regular emphasis is placed on net etiquette and safety. Students are encouraged to become comfortable with computers and visit the computer lab regularly. Students are assisted in developing their reading skills through the use of the school subscription to the Accelerated Reader program.

As students begin their primary elementary years the focus shifts from free play on computers to using the computer to develop basic skills in language and mathematics. Students also begin to learn the basics of computer operation.

Upper elementary students begin to recognize the use of computers and internet for research and begin to understand how to use them to enhance their learning. Students also learn the basics of computer operation, components, and functions of hardware.

Learning another language is a rewarding experience and enhances the language arts curriculum. Spanish instruction begins at third grade and progresses through eighth grade and helps to develop positive attitudes and excitement toward learning other languages, cultures, and customs.

Students broaden their awareness and understanding of Spanish by acquiring skills of listening, reading, writing, speaking, and translating. An appreciation and awareness for the diversity of all God’s people is gained through their exposure to other nations and languages.

Students embrace the language as instruction in the elementary grades introduces the fundamentals and primarily consists of a conversational focus. The depth of study increases as the students advance through the program. Middle School students develop reading, writing, and translation skills, and continually work to increase their fluency in speaking Spanish.

The curriculum is taught so that each student shall benefit from varied art experiences. To the art student, art education brings an eagerness to create, an enthusiasm to participate and a satisfaction of achievement, while providing freedom for the child to use his own mode of expression using multiple mediums.

Art is a complex discipline composed of numerous elements, principles and skills taught in ways appropriate to a child’s cognitive stage and physical abilities.To encourage students in celebration of the creative gifts God has given them student art work is regularly displayed around campus.

Students consistently receive awards at the annual Dixie Classic Fair school art competition.

There are various common purposes of the drama program at St. John’s. First, the program aims to develop individual self-confidence. This is achieved through the experience of planning for, practicing, and executing plays. Children learn that they can work toward and achieve a goal within a deadline. At the same time, the children learn to overcome their fears of public performance by speaking, singing, and performing on stage. Second, the program seeks to promote effective verbal and non-verbal communication and is designed to provide an outlet for expression and encourage a love for literature.

Additional goals include emphasizing the importance of teamwork, and developing musical abilities. Ideally, through participation in drama programs, students will make great progress on their way to becoming well-rounded individuals.

The progression of drama programs throughout the elementary grades (K-5) leads to increased complexity and more individual opportunities for older students. The drama program is an integral part of the total curriculum and therefore all students are involved in every performance.

A part of the overall Arts instruction at St. John’s, music instruction is designed to encourage understanding and appreciation of a variety of musical genre. Music is an integral part of student life, religion course work, and is supplemented by musical experiences in weekly Chapel worship. Students develop a love for singing as teachers incorporate it throughout the day.

Students are provided performance opportunities through class productions in the winter and spring months. Occasional guest musicians and groups come to St. John’s to perform for students. Additional musical activities include instruction on recorders, hand-bells, and trips to symphony programs.

Physical Education at St. John’s enhances the physical development of all children and is designed to teach students a varied of ways to keep their bodies healthy. Classes are designed to provide learning experiences that challenge students to expand their skills and strategies through learning games and physical activities. St. John’s provides a fun, challenging, and comfortable environment as students are encouraged at setting personal goals for development.

The positive aspects of good sportsmanship, team play, and individual effort are encouraged on a regular basis. Students develop an appreciation and understanding of various activities including dance, bocce ball, disc golf, and traditional sports such as soccer, volleyball, basketball, and track.

Special events such as orienteering, dance, and all-school field days give students alternative opportunities to become involved in health and fitness. In addition, students become sensitive to the needs of their bodies and the practice of maintaining a healthy heart through Heart Awareness Month.

In the primary grades, attention is given to the development of fine and gross-motor skills. Students are introduced to basic skills development for various games. At the upper elementary level, continued development of skills that were previously introduced becomes standard. The development of those skills is then related to individual and group sports.