Life Skills
The Life Skills program addresses those skills that will
help each student grow into a confident, informed, and spiritual person.
Experiences in personal finance and entrepreneurship, career awareness, sports
and personal fitness, visual and performing art, sewing, and building and
construction are offered to all students in preschool through grade six as part
of the core curriculum. At Saint Matthew
School we emphasize how each of these skills are gifts we have from God and by
using the teachings of Christ to guide us, we can not only be successful, but
serve others as we are called to do.
Artists in Residence
Throughout the school year students have the opportunity
to work directly with local visual and performing artists. Exposing students to
a variety of mediums and encouraging creative thinking are the goals of this
program which is included as one of the core curriculum offerings. Workshops
are scheduled during the school day so that all students in preschool through
grade six can participate. Students will be exposed to drawing, painting,
ceramics, origami, public performance, and set and costume construction as well
as other experiences based on artist availability.
Entrepreneurial Studies
The goal of this program is that each
learner will develop those skills required to be an entrepreneur which include
hard work, effective communication, and resilience after disappointment.
Creating a business requires entrepreneurs to think critically about problems
they see and how to find a solution.
The National
Association of Colleges and Employers conducted a study that
found that 91 percent of employers look for problem-solving skills when making
hiring decisions. Since creative problem-solving is one of the top sought-after
skills in any business environment, cultivating this skill early on is
wise.
Intermediate grade students complete a course on economics and
capitalism after which they develop their own service product company including
the creation of a business plan and all aspects of production, marketing, and
sales. As a service product company, all profits benefit charities chosen by
the students.
Robotics
Robotics encourages innovative ideas and creativity and is
included as one of the core curriculum offerings. It also allows kids to
prepare for the future while simultaneously having fun. Robotics prepares
children for future career development, awakens
creativity, is a tangible introduction to more abstract
programming concepts, promotes inclusivity for students on the
autism spectrum, and helps kids develop problem-solving skills. Hands-on
experiences in robotics is offered to all students in preschool through grade
six using robots with different levels of complexity.
Piano and Vocal Performance
All students in preschool through grade six participate in the music
program as part of the core curriculum offerings. Our certified music
instructor also provides individualized lessons in piano and vocal performance
after school. Lesson times and fees are arranged between the teacher and the
parent.