Curriculum

Our elementary curriculum focuses on fostering creativity and building self-esteem to help develop character and knowledge. Whether our students are in a STEM-based learning class or in a course focused on literacy development, our dedicated teachers give each student the personalized attention they deserve to help them develop into well-rounded, faith-filled individuals.

All students receive a strong foundation in the core subject areas of: 

• Literacy (reading, writing & phonics)
• Math
• Penmanship
• Religion
• Science (learn more about our STEM-focused curriculum)
• Social Studies

Students also expand their knowledge and explore outside the standard curriculum by attending the following specials courses : 

• Music
• Art
• Technology/Computer Skills
• Library
• Physical Education

Counseling

Lourdes Academy supports and nurtures the social and emotional health of all our students. Our full-time elementary school counselor makes regular visits to classrooms, providing guidance and curriculum, along with having individual sessions with students.

Our comprehensive middle school curriculum fosters academic excellence and leadership. Through a combination of required and elective courses, our academics prepare students for high school and a successful, faith-filled life.

6^th Grade:
To allow for in-depth learning and to maximize classroom time, some sixth-grade classes are taught in paired-subject blocks.

These pairings are: 

• Language Arts and Reading
• Science and Math

Other core classes include religion and social studies. In addition to the classroom, part of the sixth-grade curriculum is the Trees for Tomorrow trip to Eagle River, Wis. During this trip, students apply the skills they’ve learned in the classroom to real-life experiences.

7^th and 8^th Grade:
Students follow an eight-period schedule. Their core classes include:

• Math
• Science
• Social Studies
• Language Arts
• Religion

Other classes include:

• 7^th grade reading
• 8^th grade Spanish (students who receive a high grade in Spanish 1 and pass the final exam can enroll in Spanish 2 in high school)
• All middle school students take band and/or choir each day throughout the year.

Trimester Rotation
Students take three other classes throughout the year as part of a trimester rotation. 

6^th Grade: 

• Physical Education
• Health
• Art

7^th Grade: 

• Physical Education
• Project Lead the Way - App Creators
• Art

8^th Grade: 

• Physical Education
• Project Lead the Way - Computer Science Innovators and Makers
• Health

Accelerated Math
Starting in 6^th grade, students can qualify for our Accelerated Math program. Acceptance into the program is based on three criteria:

• MAP testing scores
• Classroom work
• Teacher recommendation

8^th grade students in our Accelerated Math program take Algebra 1 and then transition into Geometry as a freshman in high school.

Lourdes Academy provides a complete program of study allowing for intellectual growth in an atmosphere of integrity and personal responsibility. Lourdes offers a four-period school day known as the block schedule. This system provides teachers with the opportunity to offer detailed discussions, labs, projects and field trips within single class periods. It also enables students to focus and dedicate themselves to a smaller number of subjects each semester. 

Graduation requirements include:

• Theology: 4 credits
• English: 4 credits
• Mathematics: 3 credits
• Science: 3 credits
• Social Studies: 3 credits
• Physical Education: 1.5 credits
• Fine Arts: 1 credit
• Business/Technology: 1 credit
• Health: 0.5 credits

Total Credit Requirement:  28.5 credits

Lourdes Academy offers a comprehensive and rigorous curriculum, which includes a variety of honors, advanced placement (AP) and Project Lead the Way (PLTW) courses. 

In partnership with St. Norbert College and UW-Oshkosh, Lourdes offers a quality program of college-credit courses. Courses in English, Calculus, Biology and Chemistry are some of the options for students. These courses are taught by adjunct professors. Students can earn dual credits (high school and college). Graduates of Lourdes Academy frequently find themselves beginning college well ahead of their classmates in terms of credits, course selection, and preparation. 

In addition, Lourdes Academy offers additional college and high school courses taught at different institutions in our distance learning lab. Distance learning allows our students to take classes that might not ordinarily be offered at a school the size of Lourdes Academy. Some examples of courses offered through distance learning include NWTC Medical Terminology, NWTC Speech and FVTC Introduction to Criminal Justice.

For a complete course listing, please see our course handbook.