The Lakewood Catholic Academy Curriculum

Lakewood Catholic Academy offers a broad and unusually rich curriculum, beginning with its Reggio Emilia-based preschool program and carrying through the upper grades.

LCA follows all curriculum requirements as determined by the Department of Education of the State of Ohio and the Office of Catholic Education in the Cleveland Catholic Diocese.

A curriculum guide for each subject is adopted by the Office of Catholic Education and approved by the Department of Education of the State of Ohio. The course of study prescribes what is to be taught, specifies subject matter objectives, establishes a scope and sequence, and provides a basis for pupil evaluation. The administration and faculty of Lakewood Catholic Academy have the responsibility to adopt, adapt, and implement the curriculum guides. These guides are available for review in the school office.

Academic Philosophy

We believe that in order to teach most effectively, who we teach is just as important as what we teach. Our faculty members will be trained to differentiate their classroom instruction in order to address the needs of all learners. This will be accomplished through continual assessment of the students' readiness, interests, learning profiles and effect. Using the results of these assessments, the teachers will modify the curriculum content, process, and product, as well as the classroom-learning environment so that each student reaches his maximum potential as a learner.

Curricular Programs

Central to our curriculum at Lakewood Catholic Academy is our religious instruction in which our students learn the truths and values of our Catholic faith. All students, regardless of religious affiliation or denomination, take religious instruction and attend all liturgy and prayer service. Students have the opportunity to help plan liturgy and to participate in various roles during Mass. Students participate in grade-level liturgies on a regular basis and in all-school liturgies on Holy Days of Obligation. Special prayer services are held throughout the year and morning/afternoon prayer is a part of our daily PA announcements. Children are given the opportunity for reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation twice a year.

The core subjects are mathematics, language arts, social studies, science and health, and physical education.

In addition to the core subjects, the following courses contribute to an enriched curriculum:

Music

All students in Preschool (full day) through Grade Eight receive music instruction. Beginning in Grade Four, students have the opportunity, at an additional cost, to take small group instrumental music lessons and become a member of the Cadet Band, Advanced Band, and/or Jazz Band.

Art

Students in Preschool (full day) through Grade Eight receive instruction in art, with an art teacher in a fully dedicated art room.

Foreign Language

All LCA students have the opportunity to study a foreign language. Students in Grades Preschool through Grade Four receive instruction in Spanish once a week. Students in Grades Five and Six French for one semester and Spanish for one semester two times per week. When a student reaches Grade Seven, he or she chooses to concentrate on Spanish or French for the seventh and eighth grade years. Instruction takes places two times per week.

Great Books Program

This program is a component of the language arts curriculum.  Students, along with their teacher, read selections from world literature and through shared inquiry discussions, search for answers to fundamental questions.

Systematic Vocabulary Development

Beginning in Grade Two, this program systematically teaches academic content vocabulary and helps students prepare for the vocabulary strand of standardized tests.

Pre-Algebra and Algebra

Based on Grade 7 math scores and teacher recommendation, Grade 8 students are placed in either a pre-algebra or algebra class.

Computer Education

All classrooms are equipped with computers and high-speed Internet access that has been filtered to eliminate social networking and other inappropriate content. Additionally, all students in Grades K-8 receive formal computer instruction, including instruction in the basic productivity programs. Two 30-unit I-Pad carrier/chargers are available to the faculty to check out for tablet work.

Extended Curriculum Program

This program, currently serving students in Grades 2-6, is designed for students who demonstrate superior academic and/or cognitive ability. Students qualify for this program based on standardized test scores and/or teacher recommendation. Click here to read more about the Extended Curriculum program.

Technology

The goal of the Lakewood Catholic Academy Technology Curriculum is to enhance the teaching and learning process with a wide variety of media by integrating technology throughout the curriculum and extending the boundaries of the learning environment.

In the context of their educational experience, students at Lakewood Catholic Academy will participate in computer classes and use the computer as a tool in the classroom in every subject to execute projects, access information, create multi-media programs, reinforce concepts, and communicate with other persons. They will also come to understand that technology can enhance classroom learning as well as serve as a vehicle to connect to other people outside the classroom walls.