ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Academic excellence is a long-standing hallmark of a Catholic education. The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston believes in providing excellence in curriculum and instruction preparing our students for heaven, college, and career. We are committed to continuous improvement in curriculum content and delivery challenging our students to meet their full potential. The Curriculum Growth Continuum is a process for updating, revising, and creating the next generation of resources for schools in the Archdiocese to utilize as we strive to provide an excellent academic program for our students. It ensures that we meet our commitment with a central focus on developing curriculum and instruction grounded on the premises of research-based best practices. The ongoing process guarantees our Catholicity, raises the bar through rigor, and incorporates 21^st Century Skills in our classrooms across the Archdiocese. Archdiocesan curriculum documents are the foundation that each individual school builds upon to develop their unique programs geared to the learning communities they serve.     
 
The Archdiocesan Curriculum Growth Continuum is based upon:
 
Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops’ Education Department (TCCB ED)
TCCB ED is responsible for the accreditation of Catholic schools in Texas. They provide requirements that all schools must adhere to for instructional planning and delivery. As a result, Catholic schools maintain a balanced curriculum that includes: Religion, Language Arts (English-grammar and composition, reading, vocabulary, spelling, and handwriting), math, science, social studies, health, guidance, physical education, and technology application. Many of our schools include fine arts, foreign language, and other electives. 
 
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)
The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston has identified the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) as the academic standards that serve as the foundation for curriculum development.
 
National Standards & Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary Schools, (NSBECS)
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) have said that Catholic schools are rooted in the mission of the Church, bringing faith, culture, and life together in harmony. The NSBECS detail essential components of an academically rigorous and doctrinally sound program. They mandate curricular experiences which are rigorous, relevant, research-based, and infused with Catholic faith and traditions.
 
Catholic Curriculum Standards & Dispositions
The Cardinal Newman Society has developed Catholic Curriculum Standards for English language arts, math, science, and history. Standards are tied to five principles of Catholic Identity: inspired by Divine mission; models Christian communion and identity; encounters Christ in prayer, scripture, and sacrament; integrally forms the human person; and imparts a Christian view for humanity. Intellectual standards are cognitive standards. Dispositional standards involve formation of character, beliefs, attitudes, values, and interpersonal skills. The Archdiocese has adopted the Catholic Curriculum Standards providing for integration of Catholic Identity into all content areas.
 

21^st Century Skills with Support from ISTE Standards
The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Catholic schools provide a Christ-centered education incorporating 21^st century skills with support of the ISTE Standards. Through Catholic Identity, Critical Thinking, Communication, Collaboration, and Creativity students acquire the learning, literacy, and life skills that prepares students for heaven, college, and career.