Academics
We are committed to building lifelong learners and leaders.
We are committed to building lifelong learners and leaders. This commitment begins with our teachers, all of whom are certified and trained throughout the year in research-based instructional strategies that help our students engage in creative and collaborative learning. Throughout the school year, professional development includes interactive seminars on topics that range from collaborative planning and student growth goals to Math in Focus instruction and the link between literacy and communication.
Pre-K for 3 & 4 Year Olds
Full day Pre-K programs are offered at both our East and West campuses. Families can choose 2-day or 5-day programs. Our Pre-K goal is to provide a safe and secure “home away from home” while providing little ones with opportunities to experience a wider world. Children meet new friends and become familiar with adults other than their parents in a friendly, faith-filled atmosphere. Our teachers are certified in Early Childhood Education and chosen specifically for their abilities to interact with our littlest ones. Our Pre-K curriculum is tailored to enhance:
- Christian values
- Reading readiness/Language skills
- Early math skills
- Personal and social awareness
- Phonemic awareness
- Science and social studies concepts
- Gross and fine motor skills
- Safe, secure learning environment
- Fine arts, computer, library
- Age-appropriate STREAM activities
Academic and spiritual development depends on strong, solid foundations, and that is just what our full-day Kindergarten program provides. Our literacy-based Kindergarten curriculum features:
- Interactive science and social studies activities
- Weekly hands-on STREAM activities focused on age-appropriate technology and engineering
- Basic math skills
- Christian values modeled throughout each experience
- Physical education, art, music, library, Spanish
- Character-building activities woven in with all academics
- Safe, secure learning environment
- Building upon the Pre-K curriculum to establish a structured platform for life-long learning
Grades 1, 2 and 3
Primary grades continue the momentum begun in the early childhood years. We strive to help children develop and strengthen their confidence, resilience and sense of fairness. With this in mind, our early primary curriculum is focused on:
- Early faith, sacramental and moral instruction
- Strengthening communication skills: speaking, listening, writing
- Beginning to take responsibility for own learning
- Safe, secure learning environment
- Working effectively in teams
- Weekly hands-on STREAM activities focused on age-appropriate technology and engineering
- Music, art, physical education
- Handwriting, both manuscript and cursive
- Athletic opportunities and other extracurricular activities
Grades 4, 5, and 6
The amount of fundamental knowledge acquired in the intermediate grades is amazing. From multiplication tables to self control, coding to conscience-forming, composition to Christian values, we help our 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students build every aspect of their lives by:
- Providing a fertile learning environment for both academic and spiritual lessons
- Basing our instruction on Christ’s message of love
- Using a strong, unified, common curriculum that builds logically grade by grade
- Safe, secure learning environment
- Offering cross-curricular learning opportunities
- Challenging students with more advanced STREAM activities
- Strengthening decision-making and other life skills through the evidenced-based BOTVIN program
- Building solid faith-based scholars that prepare students for middle school and beyond
- Athletic opportunities and other extracurricular activities
In addition, students receive instruction through a nationally recognized curriculum (BOTVIN) that focuses on “making good decisions” (anti-bullying, anti-drug) in addition to the lessons learned in our religion classes. Students also have access to the Safe to Say program as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
BMCE is the only educational institution in the region to establish formal instructional goals in literacy and mathematics for each student. Our “growth goals” are established with input from the classroom teachers, parents, and academics measured throughout the year with a variety of tools. Parents receive quarterly updates on progress and are a part of adjustments to each student’s growth goals.
An array of science, technology, math, and engineering resources are available to all of our students as part of our growing, hands-on STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Art and Math) program. Highlights of this cross-curricular initiative include:
- Fully-equipped STREAM labs at each campus that include Ozobots, coding tools, LEGO® Mindstorm activities, Tinker CAD, SCRATCH programming and MIT APP Inventor
- Age and grade-appropriate activities that build on each other and begin in Pre-K
- Inquiry-based and nationally recognized science curriculum that focuses on critical thinking, analyses, problem-solving and collaboration
- Virtual Reality Google Expeditions
Art, choir, band, and orchestra are all part of our curriculum, giving every student the opportunity to find outlets to express themselves using their God-given talents.
- Grade level choirs, instrumental ensembles, and musicals allow students to experience the performing arts
- Applied lessons with our band and orchestra instructor prepare students for concert band or string ensemble
- Young artists can display their creations for the public through student art exhibitions
