The early childhood program at OMOS follows Diocesan standards aligned with State and National early learning guidelines. Students engage in developmentally appropriate lessons that build language, early reading and foundational math skills to prepare them for kindergarten. The program is Quality First–endorsed with a three-star rating.
Through guided exploration and play, children learn how to interact with others, participate in group activities, manage transitions, take turns, and resolve conflicts with adult support. Gross and fine motor skills are developed through outdoor play, art, and early writing activities.
Kindergarten: The key focus is to foster a love of curiosity and learning. To learn about Jesus and practice treating others with love. To become emergent readers and writers with early literacy skills. To build beginning math skills: counting, then adding and subtracting. To explore the world through basic science and community-focused social studies.
1st Grade: The key focus is to grow in faith through stories of Jesus and applying them in daily interactions. To strengthen language development, phonics and reading comprehension. To practice the full writing process. To develop stronger math skills — addition and subtraction, and problem-solving. To begin learning simple history concepts and exploring basic science topics.
2nd Grade: The key focus is to prepare for Reconciliation and the First Eucharist. To read with expression and fluency. To strengthen writing skills learned in earlier grades. To advance math skills with larger numbers and learn how to tell time. To continue exploring the world through science and social studies.
3rd Grade: The key focus is to learn to lead the school in song at weekly Mass for the first time. To shift from “learning to read” to “reading to learn. To strengthen reading comprehension across all subjects. To begin multiplication and division.
4th Grade: The key focus is to learn to present the Living Stations prayer service during Lent. To learn long division and extended multiplication. To study Arizona history and practice hands-on scientific inquiry. To read richer literature and improve writing through editing and revising.
5th Grade: The key focus is to begin switching between two teachers. To focus on decimals and fractions using all four math operations. To strengthen writing by supporting claims with textual evidence. To explore American history and apply the scientific inquiry process for the science fair.
The middle school program prepares students for high school by developing academic skills, independence and organization. Students change classes, use digital tools like Google Classroom and receive differentiated instruction based on individual learning needs, with opportunities for advanced coursework.
Students build strong reading analysis skills and develop writing skills. Speaking and presentation skills are emphasized. Students are placed in appropriate math levels, progressing from sixth grade math to Algebra I, with honors and geometry options available. Students learn scientific thinking through hands-on inquiry and participate annually in the SARSEF Science and Engineering Fair. Students study ancient civilizations and American history, learning to analyze primary sources and conduct research. Students also study Scripture, prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation, deepen their prayer life, complete service projects, and participate in off-campus social justice experiences. Throughout middle school, students strengthen their communication, critical thinking and service-oriented leadership to support a successful transition to high school.
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