Curriculum

Religion: The Religion and Family Life curriculum provides opportunities for the student to develop a personal prayer life, actively participate in the liturgical experiences of the Church and exercise personal commitment through the sharing of spiritual gifts, temporal goods and service. An AMBS student will develop awareness of a loving God; of church; of the Bible; and the importance of prayer in life, in addition to developing a healthy sense of self, right from wrong, and mutual respect for other human beings. Basic Catholic doctrine is key to this program.

Language Arts/Reading: The goal of the Language Arts/Reading curriculum is to enable students to decipher the written word in age-appropriate experiences and to learn to express themselves proficiently in both the written and the spoken word, as well as to develop a life-long love of reading for pleasure as well as to gain knowledge in a specific field of interest.

Math: The goal of the Mathematics curriculum is to enable students to become mathematically literate. This term denotes an individual's ability to explore, to conjecture, and to reason logically, as well as to use a variety of mathematical methods to solve problems.

Science: The goal of the Science curriculum is to enable students to have a basic scientific understanding of the natural world and its processes in order to better guide their decisions throughout life. As Christians, we have a responsibility to be the caretakers/stewards of God's world, and Science supplies the tools and understandings to enable us to do that.

Social Studies: The goal of the Social Studies curriculum is to enable students to be sensitive to God's generous gifts to this world and its people. Guided by the teachings of the Catholic Church, students will be prepared to participate in the democratic process and emerge as well-rounded, responsible citizens ready to meet the challenges and demands of life in the 21st century.

Technology: While students in their early years at AMBS will experience basic instruction in the use of technology, technology is not a separate curricular subject. Much like the library, technology is a resource tool used to enrich the learning process. The primary emphasis is the integration of technology into the core curriculum. Students in our upper elementary program, grades four and five, along with our Aquinas middle school, use state-of-the-art wireless technology to enrich subject areas, research and enrich their learning processes, and demonstrate mastery through the use of higher-order thinking skills.

Library: The AMBS library program is a curriculum adjunct designed to supplement and strengthen students' language arts and research skills, and to enrich their love of learning. Basic library skills are taught to the elementary grade students, while our Aquinas school scholars are able to put these skills to use in research and for selecting pleasure-reading options.

Music: Music classes are available to all students, Pre-K- through grade 8. The music curriculum exposes students to a variety of musical styles, developing an appreciation for music as a part of a well-balanced life. The music program also offers an opportunity to become prepared for the varied prayer and worship experiences of the academy. Instruction in the recorder along with choir experience is also offered through our AMBS music program. Instrumental Music/Band is another option that students have available to them beginning in grade four.

Art: Art Education is primarily concerned with visual experiences that are communicated by visual elements such as line, color, space, texture, shape, and form. Students need systematic instruction in order to perceive, create and appreciate the visual arts. The quality of instruction that students receive in elementary school is of great importance for the development of a lifelong interest in art.

The AMBS Art curriculum, as taught by Mrs. Pontilena, is a sequential art curriculum for Kindergarten through Eighth grades. Her art program develops perceptual awareness, provides for creative art activity, includes art appreciation and builds awareness of art in every day life.

Instruction at each grade level is organized around three interrelated themes: Creating Art, Looking at Art, and Living with Art. Aspects of these themes are developed within each grade and across the nine- or ten-year program. The program encourages exploration, creativity, and self-expression and at the same time teaches basic art skills, concepts, and vocabulary.

Spanish: In grades kindergarten through third, Spanish is presented in a casual style, with emphasis upon folklore and common expressions in the Spanish language. Spanish is presented in a more formalized manner in Grades 4-8, where the emphasis is upon the mechanics, spoken and written word, as well as an introduction to some literature and the customs of Spanish heritage. Our eighth grade Spanish experience culminates in a luncheon field trip to a Spanish restaurant.

Physical Education/Health/Field Days: The goal of the Physical Education/Health curriculum is to enable students to appreciate safety, good health and healthy lifestyles. Students will become familiar with age-appropriate exercises along with recreational games as well as team sports.

Field Trips: The faculty and administration of AMBS consider educational field trips (virtual as well as real time) a very important component to help define a quality curriculum. Located in the tri-state area, there are scores of educational and cultural venues available to AMBS students, who are privileged to enjoy a host of age-appropriate field trips, which enhance the learning experience and make learning fun and memorable.

Academic/Cultural Enrichment: Through participation in activities such as a variety of private school interscholastic academic challenges, our own AMBS Science Fair, the National Geography Bee, Spelling Bees, the Bergen Catholic Art Fair, the Johns Hopkins talent search, the NJPAC Artist in Residence program, A Year in Literature, Museum visits, and a variety of other programs which vary from year to year, students are afforded opportunities to utilize and challenge their developing academic skills in a context other than the usual school setting. Students who qualify are given the opportunity to pursue advanced classes in Math and/or Reading…Language Arts should their skill development prove tobe up to the challenge. As part of our enrichment program, students in grades K-4, who qualify, participate in the Junior Great Books program. This program gives students the opportunities to interact with thought-provoking stories as they develop reading, oral communication, and critical-thinking skills. Because the emphasis is on discussion and interpretation, all qualified reading students are able to contribute, and as a result, will grow in their ability to read and enjoy challenging literature.

Remediation: Students needing an opportunity to review and refresh specific concepts in Math and/or Reading/Language Arts are given such an opportunity through placement in specific skill groups and through activating the services of our Challenge Team and Bergen County Special Services. Each case is decided on an individual basis and the final decision is reached through dialogue between our home/academy partners (teachers and parents of the identified students).