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Academics

Forming Excellent Catholic Scholars

St. Rose of Lima’s academic vision begins with an understanding that we, as teachers and faculty members, are learners and partners with our parents, who are the primary educators of their children. Together we collaborate in a formative process that must lead their children to know and love God, grow in truth and virtue, and discover their vocation.

As a Catholic school, we are “intentionally directed to the growth of the whole person.  The integral formation of the human person which is the purpose of education, includes the development of all the human faculties of the students, together with preparation for professional life, formation of ethical and social awareness, becoming aware of the transcendental, and religious education.

With in-depth units of study focused around issues relevant to the social, cultural, economic, and moral contexts of our families, students are given the tools to respond as faithful Catholics.

Preschool

Course of Instruction
  • The basic program in preschool includes religion, language, mathematics, personal-social development, social studies, media art, music, science, and sensory-motor development.
  • The basic program in pre-kindergarten includes religion, communication and language arts, mathematics, self, family and community, science, art, physical education, music and rhythm, and technology.
  • The underlying instructional strategy in preschool and pre-kindergarten is the use of organized and free-play activities that are intended to provide opportunities for the child to interact, explore and relate successfully in his/her environment.

Elementary and Middle School

Course of Instruction
  • The basic program in kindergarten through grade three shall include religion, language arts, mathematics, music, art, and physical education. Concepts of social studies, science, health, and safety should be incorporated into the basic program. Use of technology should be integrated into the instructional program. Inclusion of foreign language is recommended but optional.
  • The basic program in grades four through eight shall include religion, mathematics, language arts, social studies, science, fine arts, physical education, health, and safety. Use of technology should be integrated into the instructional program. Inclusion of foreign language is recommended but optional.

Qualities of a Graduate

To empower our students to reach the vision we have for them to be scholars and disciples on the road to college and heaven, St. Rose of Lima faculty and staff works to instill the following qualities in all of our graduates.

Most importantly our graduates leave St. Rose of Lima with a love and fidelity for the teachings of the Catholic Church.  In addition to preparing our students for the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Communion in second grade and Confirmation in eighth grade, we attend mass weekly as a school. Each class is responsible for masses throughout the year giving each student an opportunity to participate in the liturgy. Religion classes start as early as Pre-K and continue through 8th grade.  By the time our students graduate, they are well-versed in Catholic theology as well as how to apply this Catholicism to the world.  We encourage our graduates to use their knowledge and faith to evangelize in their high schools, colleges, and beyond.

Students learn to practice discipline in their day-to-day lives as members of the St. Rose community.  We emphasize the important of being punctual, adhering to the uniform code, consistently completing and turning in homework, studying for quizzes and tests, proper behavior in the classroom and out on the playground, and most importantly, a dedication to prayer and spiritual reflection each day.  In teaching students to have the discipline to “delay gratification,” or to prioritize the right things, we are preparing them for success in high school, college, and as future leaders in their communities.

At St. Rose of Lima, students are given numerous opportunities where they can learn and practice professionalism. Units of study often involve interactions with adult experts or presentations in front of knowledgeable community members.  Teachers and students discuss how to act as a professional in these situations, in our dress, our manner, and our speech.  In short, students learn how to present themselves as professionals to other professionals in the local Denver community.  This quality of professionalism is especially important when considering that many of our graduates must work and maintain a job at Arrupe Jesuit High School as soon as freshman year.

In the 21st century work force, knowing how to collaborate with peers to accomplish a goal is essential.  For this reason St. Rose of Lima students are consistently given opportunities to collaborate with their peers in the classroom.  In younger grades, students learn to accept certain group roles and accomplish individual tasks in order to benefit the group as a whole.  In later grades, students are placed in groups and must distribute and assign responsibilities themselves. Each group member is expected to contribute an equal amount to group. In this way our graduates are prepared for group assignments in their future careers.