Lower School Program of Studies 2026-2027

Lower School Program of Studies 2026-2027

PORTRAIT OF A LOWER SCHOOL STUDENT • Lives Jesus according to Gospel values and Salesian Spirituality.

• Shows respect for God’s creation.

• Is a person of character who understands the importance of serving others.

• Values and displays excellence in scholarship.

• Applies knowledge and skills across the curriculum and to real-world situations.

• Solves problems analytically, logically, and creatively through independent, critical thinking.

• Is a digital citizen in a global community.

• Applies effective study skills to academic work.

• Demonstrates responsibility and self-direction when collaborating with others.

• Models confident and responsible leadership.

• Appreciates cultural diversity.

SPECIAL EVENTS & ACTIVITIES Montessori: Athletics Book Fair Catholic Schools Week Christmas Concert Culture Unit Donuts with Dad Earth Day Celebration Family Picnic Father-Daughter Events – Royal Ball Field Day Fire Safety Visit Founders’ Week Guidance Lessons (with the Counselor) Health & Wellness Week Holiday Parties and Other Celebrations (Halloween, Advent, Christmas, Valentine's, Easter, Birthdays) International Day of Peace Ceremony Jump Rope for Heart (Kindergarten only) Junior Achievement Just Because Day (JBD) Mary Day Ceremony Masses (All-School, First Friday, Grandparents) Muffins with Mom Owl’s Nest/Sister Isabel Trail Parent-Teacher Conferences Service Opportunities

Lower School: Athletics Book Fair Catholic Schools Week Christmas Concert Class Retreats Clubs Donuts with Dad Ed Camps Father-Daughter Events – (Royal Ball, Grades 4 & 5 Event) Field Day Foodbank Field Trip Founders’ Week Grade 4 Link Up Field Trip Grade 5 Celebration Mass Guidance Lessons (with the Counselor) Health & Wellness Week Holiday Parties(Halloween, Valentine's) JA BizTown Field Trip (Grade 5) Jump Rope for Heart Just Because Day (JBD) Masses (All-School, First Friday, Grandparents) Mass Opportunities (Minister, Reader, Server, Choir) Mes Amies Middle School Viz-It Day

St. Francis Pet Blessing Teddy Bear Picnic Thanksgiving Feast Trunk-or-Treat Viz the Season – Christmas Market

Muffins with Mom Parent-Teacher Conferences Service Opportunities Shaw Overnight (Grade 5) Spring Concert & Art Show Student-Led Conferences Trunk-or-Treat Viz the Season – Christmas Market

ATHLETICS • Basketball (Grades 3-5) • Cheerleading Clinic (Winter) (Grades K-5) • Girls on the Run (Grades 3-5) • Golf (Grades 2-5) • Lacrosse (Grades 3-8)

• Soccer (Grades K-5) • Sports Camps (Summer) (Grades K-5) • Tennis Clinics (Grades K-5) • Volleyball (Grades 3-5)

ART, MUSIC, PHYSICAL EDUCATION, AND WORLD LANGUAGES The Lower School has a well-established specials curriculum, which includes art, music, physical education, and world languages (French and Spanish). This curriculum includes signature projects such as creating a blessing cup in art in preparation for First Holy Communion. In music, students prepare for a variety of musical performances. In physical education, jump rope is a favorite unit in the Lower School. We integrate a service project focused on physical activity with the American Heart Association. In world languages, students learn both French and Spanish and participate in many special celebrations, such as Los Posadas, to celebrate the Christmas holidays in the traditional Mexican way.

TECHNOLOGY Visitation Academy follows the National Education Technology Standards for Students (NETS) developed by the International Society of Technology in Education (ISTE). Students are taught to be empowered learners starting as early as Kindergarten. Students learn what it means to be a digital citizen by using technology appropriately and responsibly. As students get older, research skills are practiced through note taking, outlining, citation, and annotation tools.

The program allows students to use a variety of technologies to build knowledge and make meaningful connections while solving open-ended problems. An early emphasis on computational skills, including computer programming and coding, enables students to explore and find solutions using various technologies.

FIRST GRADE The first-grade curriculum includes many interdisciplinary center activities and hands-on learning, such as recording observations and data in science notebooks. Since it is important to reach all learners, differentiated instruction is utilized, and the curriculum is adapted to each student. Advanced educational materials are used when appropriate to ensure all students learn to their potential.

Language Arts: The curriculum focuses on phonics skills to build decoding and encoding skills.

Math: Math consists of number awareness and operations. Students are introduced to strategies and models to encourage them to reason both concretely and abstractly. Units of study include place value, measurement, geometric shapes, and fractions. The curriculum incorporates technology and manipulatives to reinforce concepts.

Social Studies: Students identify the characteristics of communities, past and present, and the communities to which they belong. They study American symbols and are introduced to prominent American leaders connected to national holidays. An introduction to government and economics lays the foundation for further studies.

Science: Using the traditional scientific method and the engineering design process, students explore various aspects of life, physical, and earth science. They learn about the world around them by applying these skills through hands-on investigations and outdoor experiences. Through an inquiry-based approach, students investigate, analyze data, observe, predict, build models, and communicate their understanding of the material.

Religion: The curriculum focuses on learning about the life of Jesus. Students develop an understanding of God as our Loving Father and Jesus as the Son of God, our Good Shepherd. The students become more acquainted with our founders, St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal, through scripture readings and activities. Through daily prayer, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd presentations, the celebration of special feast days, and participation in Mass, students will ultimately grow in their relationship with God. The students focus on babies and children in response to our call to serve the needs of others and answer the question: “Who is my neighbor?”

Signature Experience: Polar Express Day The Polar Express Day is centered around the book written by Chris Van Allsburg. First graders receive a golden ticket to board the Polar Express, just like in the book. They arrive at school in their pajamas and are greeted by the train engineer. There are many fun activities during the day. Previous activities include designing 3D shapes with toothpicks and marshmallows, practicing sequencing by retelling the story, creating snowflake art, enjoying homemade hot chocolate, and receiving a special package straight from the North Pole.

Signature Project: Leppy Letters A mischievous leprechaun, Leppy, visits first graders in March. The girls write Leppy letters and design traps to try to catch him. The first graders have not been able to catch Leppy yet, and he travels home to Ireland in time for St. Patrick’s Day. SECOND GRADE The second grade at Visitation Academy includes many milestone activities for our students. Girls celebrate their First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion as a class.

In the spring, second graders serve as honor guard for the Upper School’s Alumnae Induction and Maypole. Students create and cook in the Food Science Kitchen. Students try their hand at engineering and basic programming in STEM. Language Arts: The curriculum strengthens reading and writing skills previously introduced. Through authentic literature and guided reading, students expand their understanding of literary elements to include plot development, inferences, and predictions. Additional grammar skills, including sentence types, parts of speech, and writing mechanics, are introduced to enhance and enrich student writing. The students learn how to write personal narratives and an informational paper.

Math: The math curriculum provides a more in-depth study of number awareness, including fluency in multiplication and division. Students also are introduced, in a more formal way, to fractions, time, capacity, mass, area, and perimeter. Students construct, analyze, and interpret charts and graphs.

Two and three-step word problems are introduced and analyzed. The curriculum is supported with manipulatives and practical applications to reinforce understanding.

Social Studies: The social studies curriculum focuses on government. An interdisciplinary unit on presidents and first ladies is a highlight this year. Students learn about national landmarks and the contributions of innovators who changed our nation.

Science: Using the traditional scientific method and the engineering design process, students explore various aspects of life, physical, and earth science. Students learn about the world around them by applying these skills through hands-on investigations and outdoor experiences. Through an inquiry-based approach, students investigate, analyze data, observe, predict, build models, and communicate their understanding of the material. Students gain an understanding of plant life.

Religion: The curriculum culminates with the celebration of the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. Throughout the preparation process, students receive Catechesis of Good Shepherd presentations in conjunction with the curriculum to study the parts of the Mass and learn from parables in scripture. A highlight of the sacramental program is a full-day retreat and a trip to Saint Philippine Duchesne Shrine and the New Cathedral.

Students also develop a deeper understanding of the Ten Commandments and the Holy Trinity throughout the year. Mass, Adoration, prayer services, and special activities enhance their faith formation. The students focus on veterans and soldiers in response to our call to serve the needs of others and answer the question: “Who is my neighbor?”

Signature Experience: Sacramental Journey Second-grade girls at Visitation Academy have the unique opportunity to celebrate the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion with their classmates. The program allows the girls to come closer to each other and to God through the use of their Silver and Gold Books and special activities, including creating a special candle, a Blessing Cup, rosary-making, a full-day retreat, and a visit to the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. The Sacraments also are celebrated with family in our school Chapel, creating a more intimate setting.

Signature Project: First Lady Projects The second grade celebrates Women’s History Month. Each student selects a first lady to research and, through electronic and print media, learns about their chosen first lady's initiatives and their role in history. The girls dress like their first ladies and create a poster displaying important facts, including the President’s wife’s responsibilities. This interdisciplinary project culminates with each student presenting her research to classmates, teachers, and parents.

THIRD GRADE In third grade, students develop critical thinking skills as they progress from learning to read toward reading to learn. Visitation’s accelerated math curriculum encourages students to use concepts they have previously learned to solve real-world problems. Third-grade students look forward to further exploring the books they read through book projects and participating in literature circles or book clubs.

Language Arts: Students use word study and mentor texts to connect their reading with their writing, following the examples and traits of various authors. They study a variety of fiction and nonfiction literature to enhance their reading comprehension and fluency. They also use the writing process to organize their thoughts, edit, and revise their writing as they focus on grammar skills and writing mechanics.

Math: The curriculum encourages students to develop problem-solving strategies and use math vocabulary to explain how various problems are solved. Students learn number concepts such as place value, whole numbers, and fractions while strengthening their multiplication and division facts. There is an emphasis on improving computational skills through estimation, working with time and money, measurement, geometry, graphing, and utilizing algebraic models.

Social Studies: Students study Missouri’s past and present as they take an in-depth look at our state, researching and discussing concepts related to government, economics, communities, and famous Missourians. They engage in hands-on projects and use technology to deepen their understanding of our state.

Science: Using the traditional scientific method and the engineering design process, students explore various aspects of life, physical, and earth sciences. Students learn about the world around them by applying these skills through hands-on investigations and outdoor experiences. Through an inquiry-based approach, students investigate, analyze data, observe, predict, build models, and communicate their understanding of the material. Students gain an understanding of life science through the study of changes in organisms over time and the nature of living things.

Religion: The curriculum emphasizes concern for others through the study of saints.

Students explore how they can live holy lives and follow the saints’ examples in their own lives. Students deepen their relationship with God through daily discussions, prayer, and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd presentations. There are many opportunities to grow in their faith as they attend Mass, Reconciliation, prayer services, and Adoration. The students focus on the hungry in response to our call to serve the needs of others and answer the question: “Who is my neighbor?”

Signature Experience: Entrepreneur Experience Students embark on an exciting journey to learn about entrepreneurship by studying successful entrepreneurs from a variety of industries. They will explore the traits, skills, and innovative ideas of these business owners. After learning from these real-world examples, students apply their knowledge by running their own school store.

Signature Project: Living Saints Museum Students learn about saints throughout their third-grade year. In the fall, they choose one saint to research using a variety of sources. Students complete the writing process, resulting in an essay about their saint. In celebration of All Saints' Day, the girls dress up as their saints and present to the Lower School in a Living Saints Museum.

FOURTH GRADE Fourth grade is a time of growth in privileges and responsibilities. Students travel to departmentalized classes with different teachers, have their own lockers, and receive letter grades in core curriculum subjects. Throughout the year, students comprehend more complex texts and develop alternative writing styles. This leads to growth in independence, organization, and personal development.

Language Arts: The goal of the curriculum is to continue to nurture a love of reading and writing. Using strategies such as word study, critical thinking, and literature groups to support previous learning, students develop improved communication skills. Students demonstrate their knowledge through projects and oral presentations.

Math: The curriculum is comprised of daily problem-based lessons and explorations.

Students learn the elements of an advanced curriculum, including operations with fractions and decimals. Projects, games, and activities enhance the learning experience and deepen understanding of mathematical concepts.

Social Studies: The fourth-grade social studies curriculum emphasizes an understanding of our nation prior to 1800. Units of study include US states and capitals, governance, major historical events, and significant people of the past. Students engage in hands-on projects and collaborative discussions to deepen their understanding of the development of our nation.

Science: Students explore various aspects of life, physical, and earth science. Students discover the building blocks of our world while focusing on the impact of humans on our environment. Strong focus is placed on asking questions, planning investigations, making observations, analyzing data, drawing conclusions, and communicating this information to others.

Religion: The curriculum directs students to explore their faith through daily prayer experiences, scripture readings, personal reflection, and shared intentions. Emphasis is placed on church teachings, including the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, and the Great Commandment. The study of our founders, St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal, provides a yearlong focus on Salesian virtues. Through worship and sacraments, students cultivate their personal relationship with God. Signature Experience: Link Up with The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra Each season, more than 5,000 students across the bi-state participate in Link Up with The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. This hands-on music program for students in Grades 3-5 explores orchestral repertoire in the classroom while preparing students to sing and play recorders from their seats in a culminating SLSO Link Up concert. On their visit, fourth-grade students experience the beautiful Powell Hall at the Jack C. Taylor Music Center and witness the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra perform.

Signature Project: State Project Book As a culmination of their study of the United States, students select a state to research.

They complete their research using a variety of print and digital sources. The information is used to create a digital, nonfiction book to demonstrate an understanding of their state and its customs and history.

FIFTH GRADE Students experience a significant increase in both privileges and responsibilities. They learn to manage their time and materials independently. Critical thinking and creativity are demonstrated in their written work. These new academic challenges help students grow in independence, enhance their organizational skills, and foster personal development, laying the groundwork for success in future grades.

Language Arts: The curriculum combines reading and writing to further develop both oral and written communication skills. Knowledge of language and its conventions is used to produce coherent and detailed writing pieces for various purposes and audiences. Understanding literary genres and elements is enhanced through extensive reading and collaborative discussion. This year marks a transition to a more in-depth and independent study of literature.

Math: Students are presented with the foundation of a first-year middle school mathematics program, including determining characteristics of numbers, collecting and interpreting data, and determining and analyzing patterns. In addition, students expand upon basic computation strategies to expand their knowledge of decimals and fractions.

Social Studies: The curriculum further develops awareness of how historical events have shaped our present. A study of the establishment of the United States through the modern era is explored through research, primary document analysis, projects, and presentations. Government, civic responsibility, and global awareness also are addressed through a financial literacy unit and current events studies.

Science: Students explore, build, and discover various aspects of life, physical, and earth science. Through the study of matter, students identify and measure materials and test how materials interact with each other. In addition, students explore how solids, liquids, and gases in our environment affect all living things. Strong focus is placed on asking questions, planning investigations, making observations, analyzing data, drawing conclusions, and communicating this information to others.

Religion: The curriculum consists of an in-depth study of the seven sacraments.

Students participate in liturgies and celebrate the sacraments throughout the year.

Students also cultivate their faith through leadership opportunities such as becoming altar servers, preparing Living Stations for the Lower School community, and leading Mes Amies assemblies. The call to Live Jesus through leadership allows the students to understand God’s grace and to deepen their relationship with Him. Signature Experience: JA BizTown JA BizTown is an immersive, hands-on learning program where fifth graders explore how a real community works. They learn about economics, careers, job skills, and money management in the classroom and then apply those skills on a field trip to the Junior Achievement facility. During the BizTown simulation, students work a job, earn a paycheck, manage expenses, and collaborate with classmates to run businesses and a local government. This experience builds confidence, teamwork, and a stronger understanding of how learning connects to the real world.

Signature Project: Overnight Experiential Learning As a culmination of the Lower School experience learning program, students visit the Dana Brown Overnight Center at Shaw Nature Reserve. While on-site, students practice their inquiry skills and build relationships with their peers. The goal of the program is to enhance observation skills, promote understanding of the scientific process, and expand student learning beyond the classroom.

“BE WHO YOU ARE AND BE THAT WELL.“ -ST. FRANCIS DE SALES