Curricular Philosophy
Stella Maris Academy Curriculum is a Liberal Arts model of education rooted in the sacramental and intellectual traditions of the Catholic faith.
The curriculum will provide teachers, parents, and students with the tools to navigate the modern world with a defined order that celebrates the truth, goodness, and beauty of our faith. The Catholic Liberal Arts Education will respect and honor the wisdom of great thinkers of the past, the saints, and the fruits of the Holy Spirit in our continuum of experiences and content. The curriculum will unify faith and reason, forming students who discern their unique, God-given plan (vocation) as the best version of themselves- being confident, intelligent, free, fully alive, faithful young adults.
Four Pillars of the Formation Model of Education
Comprised of a multi-faceted approach, Stella Maris Academy educates the whole person described through the four foundational pillars of the Formation Model of Education.
Human Formation +
Human Formation enables the student to embrace who they are as a person, made in God’s image. Solid moral character develops as they learn to understand the innate dignity of the human person.
Spiritual Formation +
Spiritual Formation enables the student to grow in faith and discover who they are as part of the Church, the Body of Christ. As they listen and learn as a disciple of Christ, they grow in union with God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Intellectual Formation +
Intellectual Formation enables the student to gain wisdom through understanding: credo ut intelligam (I believe in order to know). Cultivation of intellectual curiosity and critical thinking fosters disciplined study habits that will serve them well into adulthood.
Stewardship Formation +
Stewardship Formation enables the student to serve the Body of Christ. It is Christian stewardship that comes forth from the integration of the other three pillars - human, intellectual and spiritual. The desire to love and serve one’s neighbor grows as students actively give of themselves through service projects, volunteer work and prayer.
Teaching Beyond Tests
Stella Maris Academy has comprehensive curricular outcomes that outline standards and criteria for students to successfully complete the educational program. Our teachers promote a Christian atmosphere of learning that respects the dignity of every person. It is in this safe environment that student learning is nurtured and student potential is realized. A variety of instructional practices, creative and innovative learning activities, allow our teachers to accommodate multiple learning styles and needs both within school buildings and outside classroom walls.
Technology
At Stella Maris Academy, teachers, students, and families are encouraged to use current technology as tools to advance learning and to promote the sharing of information. Ongoing investments in computer hardware and software, lab facilities, classroom Internet access, wireless technology, audio/video equipment, and interactive whiteboards help our schools keep pace.
We are committed to preparing our students for the high-tech world by providing them with the foundation and working knowledge of responsible use of technology, in an integrated curriculum, within a faith-filled environment that positions them for measurable success in high school, college, and beyond.
Fine Arts Curriculum
At Stella Maris Academy, we believe that a comprehensive arts education enhances the intellectual, spiritual, human, and social development of our students. The Fine Arts are introduced beginning in our Early Childhood program. Throughout our curriculum, students have an opportunity to explore the arts and experience the beauty of the Fine Arts through Choir, Band, Orchestra, Drama and Art.
Outstanding Academics
Stella Maris Academy utilizes the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessment tool which provides a useful look at student achievement, learning growth over time, instructional level and readiness to learn. Students in first through eighth grade complete this assessment three times a year in Mathematics, Reading Comprehension and Language Usage (Grammar). The assessments are aligned with Minnesota state standards and Stella Maris Academy’s curriculum.
MAP results assist faculty to measure instructional effectiveness and to assist in continuous improvement of curricula. Results also help teachers in meeting the educational needs of individual students and groups of students.
Student results are recorded as percentiles that measure performance in relation to national student groups. Historically, our students perform in the top quartile of the national norms and 1.5 to 2.0 grade equivalents above their current grade placement.
