Cathedral School's religion curriculum presents basic Catholic values in a loving and caring environment.  With 14 different ethnic groups, we understand and teach that God is the Creator of all of us, and we must learn to live and to work with one another.  Cathedral School teaches values that will last a lifetime.
 
Sacramental Preparation.  Cathedral School, under the direction of trained Catechists, offers sacramental preparation programs for the Sacraments of Penance, Eucharist, and Confirmation.  There is also daily Mass attendance during certain seasons of the year.  The opportunity of confession is also made available to students.  Various other liturgical celebrations and activities such as May Crowning, Stations of the Cross, and Altar Serving are made available to Cathedral students.  Other progams that students participate in are listed below:

• Daily Religion Classes
• Liturgy Participation: Lectors, Altar Servers
• Children/Youth Choir
• Prayer Partners
• Christmas Pageant
• School Outreach Programs

Reading.  The literature-based Reading series begins on a foundation of solid phonics skills.  After acquiring basic learning strategies, and enjoying their first Reading books in the primary grades, children are equipped for unlocking texts in the content areas.  The acquisition of higher level thinking skills sequentially throughout the intermediate and middle grades contributes to appreciation of various literary genres and raises competence in every academic area.  "Reading Partners" enhance the expression of "reading with a purpose" through a deliberate collaboration of younger with older students.
 
Mathematics.  Our school has adopted an instructional program for Mathematics developed under the National Council of Mathematics Teachers Standards.  It focuses on problem solving through reasoning, communication, and manipulatives.  We strongly believe computational proficiency is an essential element in this process.  Number sense, estimation, mental math, patterns, relations and functions are key elements of every topic.
 
Spelling.  Format spelling instruction promotes independent spellers.  It is a system teaching patterns and principles, which pupils learn to transfer from the structured lesson to new and unfamiliar words.  this is a necessary competency for communication.
 
Cathedral students in grades 6-8 enter the Portland Newspapers Spelling Bee each spring.
 
English.  Cathedral School places strong emphasis on developing proficiency in English grammar.  The course of English provides the best materials linking grammar usage and mechanics to writing and speaking.  A strong foundation in Language Arts provides students with strategies for interpreting and understanding concepts and processes in all academic fields.
 
Writing/Speaking.  In accord with the State of Maine Learning Results, children learn the conventions of standard spoken and written English for creative and expository purposes.  With writing opportunities occuring in every area of the curriculum, they advance from prewriting through drafting, revising, editing and proofreading, to publishing, supported by grade-level appropriate experiences.
 
Penmanship.  Penmanship instruction follows a professionally recognized model of basic skills, and monitors their application throughout the curriculum.  Adjusting to their grade, children are encouraged in correct formation as a vehicle for clearer communication both in school and at home.
 
Individual class projects include drama, prose and poetry contests, and oral research reports.  Grades 5-8 compete annually in the state Civic Oration Competition.
 
Social Studies.  Students at Cathedral School study and experience the natural progression from individual awareness to global appreciation.  Social Studies skills include the study of time, mapping and related graphic skills.  Critical thinking and research skills enhance the study of History, Government, Economics and Geography.
 
Science.  Interests probe such areas as the biological, earth, electrical, natural, physical, and space sciences.  Taking a "hands-on" approach to problem-solving, children form scientific concepts through critical thinking and investigation.  Students explore, question, hypothesize, research, experiment, analyze, and draw conclusions.  In a parallel learning process they collaborate for support and information, drawing on emerging personal resources of respect, cooperation, understanding, compromise, and decision making.
 
Music.  Individual creativity is fostered for all ages of children through singing and playing percussion instruments. Students at all levels receive a gradual and general explanation of music history and theory. They learn terminology, reading notes and rhythms, identifying composers, instruments and musical styles through a combination of lectures, recordings, videos and guests.
 
Students in all grades participate in two public performances each year.
 
Physical Education.  Basic physical exercise, balance skills and motor coordination are the major focus of our Physical Education program.  Competitive sports, rules, techniques and teamwork are components of Physical Education classes at appropriate grade levels.
 
Art.  beginning with basic coloring, tracing and drawing skills, Cathedral students progress to formal instruction in varied art media (clay, paint etc.).  Art appreciation through the study of recognized artists and their works enriches the students' lives and learning.
 
Computer.  Cathedral School strives to have its students recognize and utilize computers as a "tool for learning".  Our updated lab consists of 24 desktop computers all linked to a main server and supervised access to the Internet.  Additionally, students in grades 6-8 utilize laptop computers equipped with wireless Internet capability and various software applications including the Microsoft Office package.  The integration of computer technology is critical in presenting and enriching today's curriculum.
 
Foreign Language.  Cathedral School elects to teach French to our students in the elementary grades as well as grades 6 and 7 because of the language's wide spread use in many Maine communities.  In addition, students in grade 8 are given basic instruction in Latin.  However, with 14 different ethnic groups represented in Cathedral's student body, a varied mix of languages and cultures are woven into the rich tapestry of learning experiences in all grades.

Field Trips.  Field Trips are planned with educational and/or social development objectives as their focus.  Adult supervision is provided.  Official Diocesan field trip permission forms must be completed by parents/guardians before a child is permitted to participate in a field trip.  Permission forms are kept on file for two years.  Students and chaperones are provided professionally licensed and insured commercial transportation when trips take them out of the neighborhood.  Trips to local historic sites within the neighborhood and concerts at Portland's Merrill Auditorium can be reached by walking.
 
Sports Programs.  Cathedral School currently offers competitive sports programs including Cross-Country Running, Basketball, and Track and Field.  The purpose of these programs is to teach fundamental skills and prepare participants for successful enjoyment of the sport for today and the future.  Wins and losses are not a measure of success.  The life skills of teamwork; respect for each other; personal discipline; a strong sense of self and the satisfaction of giving 100% are our benchmarks for success.  Cross-Country and Track are offered to students in grades 6-8 while the Cathedral Basketball program is offered to boys and girls beginning in the 5th grade.
 
Safety Programs.  DARE/ Officer Friendly/ Bike and Transportation Safety/ Fire Safety "Learn not to burn".  Teaching our very young students that police and fire personnel are civil servants we can depend on and call our friends is the goal of the Officer Friendly program.  The DARE program, for older students, addresses the very real role substance abuse plays in our society.
 
Children's Choir.  Consisting of both children enrolled at Cathedral School, and children of parishioners of the parish, this program usually entails one afternoon per week and the celebration of two Sunday Masses per month.

Pre-Kindergarten.  Formal school-readiness program.  Cathedral offers a Pre-Kindergarten program for children who are four years old by October 15 of the given school year.  Pre-kindergarten is held from 8:10-11:30am, Monday through Friday, in accord with the annual school calendar.
 
"I am Special," "Peabody Language" and "First Steps of Math" provide academic readiness curriculum foundation.  Extended pre-kindergarten from 11:30am through 3:00pm is available for an additional fee.
 
Health Programs.  Cathedral School promotes healthy lifestyle education.  Through its dental health instruction, flouride and "swish" programs, children are taught the value of good dental hygiene.  Promotion of nutritional education, good overall hygiene and dietary information as well as exercise round out the good health teachings at Cathedral School.
 
Handicapped Accessible.  ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) recognized.  Cathedral School is our Diocese's designated Handicapped Accessible School for the Greater Portland area and meets all ADA requirements.
 
Dress Code.  All children of Cathedral School are required to comply with our uniform dress code.  Boys wear navy blue trousers with light blue or white shirts and plaid (or navy blue in grades 6-8) tie.  Pre-kindergarten and kindergarten boys are not required to wear a tie.  Girls wear a light blue or white blouse with navy blue jumper (or skirt in grades 6-8) and either navy blue tights, knee length or ankle socks.  Sweaters or sweatshirts of either solid gray or navy blue may be worn in either crew neck, V-neck or button-down.  No endorsements of any kind should be on a child's clothing (exception: a Cathedral School sweatshirt).  Several area stores carry navy blue jumpers, skirts, pants and ties.  Another source for student uniforms is JB Edwards Uniform Company.  Visit their website: www.jbedwarduniforms.com/jbedward/   

 
Physical Education uniforms consisting of a blue or gray T-shirt, blue sweatshirt, blue or gray sweatpants and shorts are required.  All pieces have Cathedral School printed on them, and will be made available for purchase on order forms sent home with your child during the first days of the school year.
 
Other Services.  Other services offered by Cathedral School are listed below:  

• Licensed Before and After School Care
• Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Screening
• Hot Lunches
• On-site Chapter I Services

Home and School Association.  The Cathedral Home and School Association membership is comprised of parents and guardians of students attending the school and faculty members.  The Home and School Association shall respect the established school policies and practices as set forth by the Parish Council, School Board, Rector, and Principal.  The key to the success of this organization is the interest and determination of the parents regarding their children's education coupled with the willingness of the faculty to share the progress in the school through student participation, e.g., exhibitions, demonstrations, etc., at Home and School programs.
 
The Home and School Association is guided by an executive board comprised of a president, vice president, treasurer, secretary and a minimum of three committee members.  The Principal and Rector are ex-officio members.  The Home and School Executive Board is selected annually in accordance with the Home and School Constitution.
 
School Board.  Our Cathedral School Board is a selected, elected advisory board comprised of parents, parish members and those of supporting parishes.  The school board's chief responsibility is to help formulate the policies that guide the educational programs in the school.  Its capable and generous volunteer members recognize and support the steady improvement of our Parish School.
 
Room Parents.  Parents/Guardians are volunteers who assist the classroom teachers in enriching classroom programs.  A member of the Home and School Executive Board oversees the Room Parent involvement.
 
Other Parent Partnerships.  Other opportunities for parents to be involved in the Cathedral School community are listed below:

• Committee Involvement
• Parent Classroom Volunteer
• Girl Scouts
• Boy Scouts