Immaculate Conception School Prekindergarten Program is designed specifically for four-year-old's and offers children the time and space to learn, grow, explore, and imagine. Because we believe that childhood should be a journey and not a race, we allow children to develop at their own pace.
The PreK class takes place in a warm, safe, and caring environment in which the children develop a positive image of themselves as children of a loving God. When teaching four-year-old students, we use a developmental approach to learning, focusing on the growth of the whole child. We not only consider the academic progress of the children, but their social, emotional and physical growth as well. Children of this age respond best through actual experience. Therefore, we use a hands-on approach using learning centers as well as structured classroom time.
Field trips and special guests enhance our program. Our goal is to prepare each child to enter kindergarten with a positive and enthusiastic outlook on learning.
The role of a Kindergarten teacher at Immaculate Conception School is to challenge each student to achieve to their maximum potential. This is accomplished as we identify the growth potential of each student and address their individual needs, qualities, and abilities.
We believe every student should be encouraged to cultivate creativity, foster curiosity, and develop his or her own learning style in an enriched learning environment. ICS utilizes curriculum and enrichments that encourage higher level thinking skills, promotes responsibility and encourages student productivity focusing on pre-writing and emergent writing stages.
ICS also incorporates award winning children’s literature through author studies and guided reading, plans differentiated lessons to address various learning styles and level of readiness, and prepares students for standardized MAP testing.
At Immaculate Conception, First and Second Grade classrooms are welcoming, interactive, and enthusiastic centers of learning. Students are engaged in their education from the minute they arrive each day. Students are actively involved in acquiring vocabulary, problem-solving, reading, and writing skills in all content areas.
An important focus of these initial years is reading. Teachers help students acquire the essential skills using a balanced program including: reading aloud, shared, guided, and independent reading and opportunities to respond critically and thoughtfully to literature. Lessons are differentiated to account for all styles and levels of learning, and teachers work with parents regularly to ensure all learners’ needs and opportunities for growth are met.
An important milestone for first graders is social interaction and an understanding of the mentor role. Students are paired with an 8th grade student, or “big buddy” and interact regularly in enriching and entertaining activities throughout the year. The first graders’ big buddies help them acclimate to their new environment at ICS and feel accepted and loved from day one!
Second grade is a special year of growth for the children! Second grade comes with many “firsts,” as it is the first time students learn to write in cursive! Our dedicated 2nd grade teachers also prepare the children for their First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. Each student’s spiritual journey is supported and enriched by experienced faculty and staff.
Third and Fourth Grade curriculum promotes independent learning to ensure success in middle school and beyond. This independence promotes self-esteem while fostering a love for learning. Our leveled reading series encompasses a program for spelling, vocabulary and comprehension. Students are challenged to work beyond their basic skills.
Our third grade students are introduced to chromebooks and Google cloud based software (docs, slides,sheets) as well as integrated learning in every subject. Our religion curriculum follows Diocesan guidelines promoting faith-based learning.
Fourth graders are offered instrumental band to broaden their talents and skills.
In Fifth and Sixth Grade, ICS students develop their skills in STEM education, emotional and social intelligence, and their individual faith journeys.
In Religion, students study the Sacraments and the Ten Commandments, while preparing for Confirmation the following year.
Language Arts (LA) focuses on various literary genres and domains throughout the year, such as realistic fiction, historical fiction, and a variety of science topics as well. LA encompasses essay writing, comparing and contrasting stories, reading and understanding poems, and the use of figurative language. Our LA cirrculum includes a vigorous grammar program and vocabulary series.
The Science program covers topics from rocks and minerals, to oceans, to Newton’s laws. With use of the interactive science lab, teachers create engaging STEM activities and other experiments to enhance curriculum. Mathematics focuses on in-depth application of fractions, multiplication, division, and geometry.
Concentration on the regions of the United States is the main topic in Social Studies.
Fifth and sixth grade students partake in the daily use of chromebooks, and participate regularly in Google based activities, including organizing their own Google drive, documents, and utilizing Google Classroom applications.
At Immaculate Conception School, Seventh and Eighth Grade academics, spiritual formation, and service oriented activities are carefully and thoughtfully designed to prepare students for their transition to high school and beyond. The curriculum follows the Diocesan guidelines and integrates the faith dimension throughout the day.
Instructional practices incorporate differentiated instruction to address the learning needs of all students. Many opportunities throughout the school year develop students’ leadership skills as they act as effective role models for the entire student body, in particular their paired kindergarten or grade one buddy.
Immaculate Conception School offers a rigorous and engaging academic program. Our dedicated teachers work hard to address the individual needs of each student.
Qualifying students in Grades 5-8 may participate in an Accelerated Mathematics and an Accelerated Language Arts program. Students enrolled in these programs, participate in the same course of study as designated by the Diocese of Metuchen, but at an accelerated rate in which content is explored in greater depth. Units and lessons emphasize real world application, research, and independent learning.
The Accelerated Program adheres to all Diocesan Guidelines. Accelerated classes are small in size and enrollment is limited only to those who qualify. Students are expected to maintain an A average in these accelerated class/es while in the program. Because of the competitive nature of the program, a student’s conduct is also considered in order to gain entry and remain in the program.
The mission of the Special Services Department is to provide families with the option to choose a faith-centered education while taking comfort in the knowledge that their child is receiving the supports he/she needs. Below you will find an outline of the academic services available to classified students at Immaculate Conception School.
At ICS, we recognize the importance of technology in this ever-changing world. Our comprehensive curriculum is structured so that traditional learning is enhanced, not replaced, by the latest technologies.
Computer lab classes start in kindergarten and progress accordingly as the child advances. Keyboarding techniques are taught as well as mouse skills. Our students quickly become proficient in all Google applications and multimedia presentations. Students are equipped with personal Chromebooks from kindergarten through eighth grade. Technology is incorporated into those grades and used to integrate all academic areas.