Program of Studies
Students in the Lower School carry the normal required courses
under programs set forth for New York State. Great emphasis is placed
on language arts and math. Students also take two periods each of
physical education, art, and music per week. One period per week
is used for computer instruction.
In the Middle School, students are required to take English, math,
social studies, science, health, physical education, foreign language
(or reading), art, music, and computers.
High School students must meet the following criteria for graduation.
A minimum of 22 credits, including the following units:
4 credits in English
4 credits in social studies
4 credits in mathematics
4 credits in science
3 credits in foreign language
1 - 1/2 credits in art
1/2 credit in health
2 credits in computers
2 credits physical education
Passing the exit exams in English and math, or scoring 310 Verbal
and 350 Math on the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test)
Credit requirements of transfer students will be evaluated upon
admission.
Reading Program
The remedial reading program is an effective part of the school
curriculum. This program is guided by our reading specialist and
assisted by classroom teachers. To assure continued growth and progress
in reading, the students are given systematic instruction. Students
progress from one reading level to the next higher level at their
own individual learning rates. The home attitude towards reading
greatly influences reading interests and activities. Students tend
to become eager and able readers when reading is enjoyed and respected
by the family. It is essential that parents encourage their children
to engage in recreational reading outside of school requirements.
Learning the skills is of little value if not accompanied by extensive
reading outside of school and during vacations.
The reading program at Vincent Smith uses a multi-sensory approach
which provides help in the following areas:
- Reading comprehension
- Written expression
- Oral expression
- Decoding skill
- Graphomotor skills
- Organizational skills
- Study skills
- Spelling
Our remedial reading program is available for those students who
are found to be in need of reading assistance. Pupils work on individualized,
prescriptive programs in small groups of one to four, for a minimum
of two days a week. Each period is forty minutes in length. In addition,
the special and regular teachers coordinate their efforts mutually
to reinforce the above skills.
Special Services
Students requiring special services, including but not limited
to speech/language therapy, occupational therapy, counseling, physical
therapy, and resource room, as prescribed on the student's
Individualized Education Program, receive these services during
the course of the school day. Home school districts are responsible
for the initiation of services and the Vincent Smith School will
schedule appropriate times. Classrooms are reserved for special
education teachers. Every attempt is made to schedule special services
so that they do not interfere with core academic classes. On occasion,
art, computer, and music classes may need to be adjusted as to accommodate
these services.
Physical Education Program
Physical education and athletics are recognized as a necessary
part of a modern educational program. All students are required
to participate, unless they are excused by doctors' certificates.
Physical activity is essential to healthy physical, social and mental
growth. A scheduled program of physical education at all grade levels
is required by New York State Education Law. Students at Vincent
Smith are required to attend two periods of physical education per
week. A sports program is available for students who wish to compete
in sports interscholastically.
Art Program
Art is required by New York State Education Law for the Lower and
Middle School students. All students in the High School are scheduled
to complete one and one-half credits of art prior to graduation.
The aims of the program are to contribute to the development of
art skills, appreciation, and personal enjoyment for our students.
At times, the classroom teacher combines the art program with other
classroom work. A competitive Student Art Show is sponsored every
spring. Both faculty and peers judge the work by category, and prizes
are awarded.
Music Program
Music is required by New York State Education Law for the Lower
and Middle School students. The music program offers a variety of
musical experiences by developing an interest to read music, by
developing an appreciation of good music, and by teaching pupils
to express themselves in singing with classmates and in special
performances. Each spring, students demonstrate their abilities
in the Talent Show.
Computer Science Program
Vincent Smith continues to update and upgrade its computer equipment
and peripherals. Students in all grades are required to take computer
lab weekly, and computers is offered as an extracurricular activity
each day. Additionally, subject teachers incorporate computer science
as part of their classes, via term papers and projects.
Standardized Tests
A coordinated testing program is in effect at Vincent Smith School.
New York State requires the administration of the Regents Competency
Tests (under review). Each spring, all students take the week-long
Metropolitan Achievement Tests to assess annual rates of improvement
in reading, mathematics, and language skills. Results of the MAT's
are available upon request sometime in late July.
Homework Policy
At Vincent Smith School, homework is assigned every evening in
every subject. This includes weekends, holidays, and vacation days.
(When homework conflicts with a religious observance and the school
has received a letter to that fact from a parent, the student may
make up the homework at the conclusion of the religious observance.)
If a parent is told or believes that their son or daughter does
not have nightly homework, instead of accepting an explanation from
the student, please call the school immediately! The preparation
of homework is a shared responsibility - the student-parent-teacher.
Please call the Principal as soon as possible if you sense any kind
of problem concerning the homework. Also, where homework is not
completed or inadequately prepared, parents will be called by the
teacher. Continued failure to prepare and turn in homework will
be considered a deficiency that will affect a student's final grade.
Grading Policy
In order to achieve academic success, students must be aware of
the criteria for grading all work. Each academic grade has been
tabulated based on the following schedule:
- Homework 15 %
- Classwork 10 %
- Notebook 15 %
- Tests, Projects and Quizzes 60 %
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