Daily instruction is provided in mathematics, language arts (reading, spelling, and writing), social studies, and science. Textbooks have been updated in all subjects in the past five years. FOSS, interactive, hands-on, science kits are now part of the K-2 science curriculum. Instruction in all areas is aligned with the curriculum benchmarks of the Archdiocese of Seattle, Washington State EALRs, and national standards.
Star has invested time and money in its math program. We have many manipulatives and multiple books of math games, math drills, and math challenges. In addition, we split the seventh and eighth graders into two math groups so that all students will have a greater opportunity to achieve success in math. Groups are based on ability. One group of seventh graders uses the Saxon 7/8 textbook; the other is taught pre-algebra from a high school text. One group of eighth graders uses the Saxon Pre-Algebra text; the other learns from a regular high school algebra book. Each group is separately taught so that students receive as much individual attention as possible.
A unique junior high class is our Latin program for eighth graders.
An extremely popular event each spring is the three-day cultural fair. Grades K-5 each adopt one country, which they study in depth. In sixth grade, each student studies a country in depth. In seventh grade, each student explores an era of history. Eighth graders learn about their ancestry. Projects include oral reports, project boards, displays of artifacts, native dances and songs, and even food.
For more information about the textbooks and programs used at OLSOS, on the school website, click to the class page of the grade(s) in which you are interested. At the top of each class page is a list of subjects. These are links to the companies that produce the textbooks we use. They provide information about the grade-level programs and also incorporate study resources.
Supplementary programs and resources used at Star include Step up to Writing in all grades, the Vocabulary Workshop program in grades 5-8, the Accelerated Reader program in grades K-8, and Read Naturally.
