Curriculum

Extracurricular Activities

Standardized Test Results

Speech Brochures

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Kindergarten (Teacher: Mrs. Jean McKee)
Kindergarten is a year of growth for the youngest of our students at STMS.  The children celebrate their individuality while learning to become part of a larger community.   Developing self esteem is an important element of the year.  Each subject integrates our Gospel values by relating the life of Jesus to the children.  Science explores the wonders of God's creatures, Social Studies teaches a respect for all people, and reading and writing skills are developed throughout the year. The current Kindergarten schedule is as follows:

• Two full days each week with the entire class

• Two half days each week with half of the class

• One half day each week with the entire class

Half-class days focus on those subjects where smaller groups benefit from more individual attention.

First Grade (Teacher: Ms. Karen Lindquist)
First Grade students learn a lifelong love of reading by exploring various poems and short stories.   Their relationship with Jesus grows through listening to stories of the life of Jesus.  They learn that Jesus was a child much like themselves.  Basic math skills are taught through a variety of games and hands on activities.  Science topics include studying and exploring sea life and then visiting the Seattle Aquarium.  The children learn about proper dental care by a visit from a local dentist and performing a heart-warming tooth play for their parents.  The new Social Studies unite introduces them to Australia and Asia, and also studies our neighborhoods and being community helpers.  Children love to learn about where they live and begin to see how big our world really is.  Several community service projects are encouraged throughout the year.

Second Grade (Teacher: Mrs. Julie Nicol)
Second Grade students spend an important part of their year preparing for and receiving the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion.  Alongside the preparation of these two sacraments, they develop further in mathematical concepts, reading and writing skills, speech and social studies. Emphasis is placed upon finding one’s place in our world and understanding our responsibilities to the community in which we live. It is a year in which the children are eager to learn, and are very creative. The curriculum includes a variety of multitask oriented projects such as: making pueblos from a variety of materials, exploring the lifecycle of a butterfly and also observing the metamorphosis of a caterpillar as it becomes a beautiful butterfly. Students may get to construct miniature log cabins in celebration of the first Thanksgiving feast or paint our American flag in remembrance of the first colonists and all that our country means to us today. 

Third Grade (Teacher: Mrs. Charlotte Musser)
Third Grade students learn to be better communicators, both orally and in written language. It is a transitional year with more homework and tests than before.  They focus on developing solid organizational skills and begin to be more independent in their study habits. In religion, they deepen their relationship with God through a variety of types of prayer. In math the students discover many creative ways to solve problems and learn to show how they know an answer is correct. In science they study the basic physics of pushes and pulls, rocks and minerals, and the human body. The favorite subject to many third graders is cursive writing! Students also learn to incorporate technology into many subject areas as they learn the basics of Work, Excel, and PowerPoint. Third graders round out their study of literature by attending one or two performances at the Seattle Children’s Theatre.

Fourth Grade (Teacher: Mrs. Jennifer Spangenberg)
Fourth Grade students focus on learning to be more responsible for their own studies and learning to work cooperatively in study groups.  Academically, they expand their critical thinking skills. They look beyond memorizing facts by evaluating, creatively comparing and learning to make group decisions. In Social Studies, the students explore the United States and celebrate its history with a visit to Tillicum Village. In religion they study the lives of saints and learn the Beatitudes, the Ten Commandments and the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. Science includes a salmon hatchery program which allows the students to raise salmon from eggs to be released in the local watershed. A big focus on the Second Step program and an awareness of a life of service is made throughout the year.  The Washington State Assessment of Student Learning Test (WASL) is given in the spring.

Fifth Grade (Teacher: Mrs. Diana Anderson)
Fifth Grade provides a variety of opportunities to experience "community".   Each student's gifts are recognized and nurtured, providing for each child's individual learning style.Teaching approaches range from lectures and independent work to cooperative groups and peer teaching.  The atmosphere in class is one of high expectations along with individual support.  A balanced approach to academics is blended with a study of the arts and music.  They experience the Gospel, engage in Bible Studies and study the Sacraments.  Math teaches strategic problem solving, math writing skills, whole numbers, fractions and decimals.  In addition to academics, the fifth graders are encouraged to develop their social gifts by preparing programs for assemblies and out-reach programs.  Field trips include educational locations such as our State Capitol.

Sixth Grade (Teacher: Mrs. Laurel Pehanich  Sixth Grade Website
Sixth grade marks the transition from elementary school to middle school.  The primary focus of this year is teaching the students to become self reliant, independent learners.  Time management is taught by working on a number of long term projects, and study skills are learned by listening to lectures and developing note-taking skills.  World history includes a study of ancient cultures.  Role playing and group research projects bring day-to-day life alive to the students as they learn about different civilizations.  Studying the Old Testament helps the students to identify moral models.  They also study the life of Jesus and explore connections to their own life.  Becoming socially aware through the Second Step and DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) programs and attending retreats and camp help the student to live a good Christian life.

Seventh Grade (Teacher: Mr. Andrew Chaplin)
The Seventh Grade curriculum is based on the cornerstones of abstract thinking and in-depth research.  The students continue to develop their independence and learn time-management skills.  They learn by lecture and discussion rather than just reading the material.  Preparation for high school style teaching is integrated into their daily activities.  The students discover effective writing skills, giving them tools to help them be successful throughout their lives.  The Faith and Witness Program teaches the students ways to live their faith in action.  The year concludes with a trip to Camp Hamilton where the students learn a new appreciation of themselves and their fellow classmates.

Eighth Grade (Teacher: Mrs. Marcia Golloway)
Eighth Grade establishes a solid background for high school.  Responsibility, time management, and cooperative projects are incorporated throughout the year.  In religion they develop a spiritual awareness and an understanding of themselves and their role as church members.  They explore a variety of prayer forms and learn to talk with God through a number of means.  During Lent, they perform the Stations of the Cross as part of a Good Friday service.  It is a very moving experience to see the students take on serious roles in such a profound way!  The science curriculum is a big part of the eighth grade school year.  Their classroom is equipped with a full science lab, enabling the students to spend a substantial amount of time getting hands-on experience in a lab setting.  Graduation is a celebration of their accomplishments during nine years at STMS.  The students have worked hard and have developed life-long friendships.  They are ready to discover high school life, but are sad to be leaving this school which has watched them grow from young children to intelligent, capable students. They are ready to face the world with confidence!  St. Thomas More has given them the tools they need to be successful throughout their lives.  It is their turn to show us what they have learned while attending this school.

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