Santa Rosa de Lima School provides quality academic education in all curriculum areas, thus giving our students a firm educational foundation for success in high school and beyond. Teachers follow the Archdiocese benchmarks and the California State Standards.
Religion is offered every day at all grade levels. The entire school attends Mass once a week and participates in various outreach projects throughout the year. The school year is divided into three trimesters. Report cards are distributed at the end of each trimester. The Santa Rosa de Lima grading system uses the standards as set forth by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Department of Catholic
Schools as follows:
Canonical Authority of the Diocesan Bishop
In accordance with canon law, the archbishop exercises full authority over the religious instruction and
formation programs in all Catholic schools of his archdiocese, including both schools of the archdiocese and
schools in the archdiocese that are owned and operated by religious orders, institutes, or governing boards.
The authority of the bishop extends to but is not limited to the content of the religion curriculum, the
hiring
of teachers of religion, the visitation of schools, and the use of the title "Catholic school." The archbishop
may exercise this authority in person or through designated delegates such as the superintendent and the
religion supervisor from the Department of Catholic Schools.
Textbooks, Teaching Materials, Resources, and Content of Instruction
Textbooks, other teaching materials, and resources are chosen on the basis of sound doctrine, attention to
both cognitive and affective domains, continuity with the program of instruction, and adequacy in meeting
the needs and capabilities of the students in the particular school.
All religion textbooks are to have the approval of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishop's Ad Hoc
Committee to Oversee the Use of the Catechism. Other materials and resources used by teachers are to
meet the same standards as textbooks with regard to sound doctrine and appropriateness for students.
The content of instruction must conform to the authentic teaching of the Church as summarized in the
Catechism of the Catholic Church and must clearly distinguish defined doctrine from personal opinion and
theological interpretation. It will stress the relevance of religious truths and principles to the personal lives
and daily concerns of the students.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Doctrinal Elements of a Curriculum Framework for the
Development of Catechetical Materials for Young People of High School Age guides the written course
outlines that must be developed and followed for each high school course. Course outlines are to be
framework-based and not textbook-based.
Western Catholic Educational Association Catholic Identity Standards
All schools, whether archdiocesan, parish, or those owned and operated by religious orders, institutes, or
governing boards are required to meet the following Catholic identity standards from the accrediting
agency for archdiocesan elementary schools, the Western Catholic Educational Association (Improving
Student Learning, 2012 ed., p. 41; Ensuring Educational Excellence, 20 14 ed., p. 10 [click on 1-WCEA E3
2014 Protocol.pdf ]):
- The school has a mission statement and philosophy statement that indicates the integration of the
Catholic faith in all aspects of the school's life.
- The school provides regular opportunities for the school community to experience prayer and the
sacraments.
- The school has a religion curriculum and instruction that is faithful to Catholic Church teachings and
meets the requirements as set forth by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
- The local ordinary approves those who teach the Catholic faith (Canon 805) and there is ongoing
formation for catechetical and instructional competence.
- The school maintains an active partnership with parents/guardians whose fundamental concern is
the spiritual and academic education of their children (Canon 796).
- The school has a service-oriented outreach to the Church and civic community after the example of
Jesus Christ, who said, "I have given you an example so that you may copy what I have done to you"
(Jn 13:15).
- The school uses signs, sacramentals, traditions, and rituals of the Catholic Church.
- All school personnel are actively engaged in bringing the good news of Jesus into the total
educational experience.
Elementary School Curriculum
Implementing these standards and evaluating and setting goals is a yearly task of the elementary school in
a manner that is consistent with the curriculum standards set by the Department of Catholic Schools.
Curriculum components include:
- The Profession of Faith
- The Celebration of the Christian Mystery/The Seven Sacraments of the Church
- Life in Christ; Man's/Woman's Vocation: Life in the Spirit
- Christian Prayer; Prayer in the Christian Life
