Catholic Preschool & Elementary School in Manchester, NH

Mount Saint Mary Academy, Manchester:
Mount Saint Mary Academy in Manchester, New Hampshire, is a private Catholic elementary school, sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy. The Mount accepts children Pre-K to grade 6 of every denomination and has been well recognized in the Manchester Community for its outreach to those in need, and its excellence and innovation in education. The philosophy of the Mount is based on the premise that every child wants to learn.

Pre-School through Grade 6 Programs:
The Early Childhood Center and Elementary grades K-6 are based on team-planned, individualized and small group instruction. Instructional activities may take the students beyond the four walls of the classroom. We believe in bringing the classroom out into nature and bringing nature into the classroom. We strive toward an integrated curriculum which correlates the various disciplines. This approach provides the students with a broad base of knowledge, allowing students to express themselves and make the connections.

Art:
Through the early years, children explore with the use of crayons, markers and clay. In the elementary art program students learn to handle a variety of medium and the techniques to express themselves with these materials. In the younger elementary grades, freedom of exploration is encouraged and in the later elementary grades the methodologies of art and drawing are emphasized.

Throughout the elementary art program, appropriate usage of the vocabulary and techniques of various artists is stressed and practiced. Art History and art appreciation are part of the curriculum. Students are provided with examples of the professional artist's work. The older elementary students begin to confront challenges of the adult artist: rendering objects in the third dimension, perspective, and shading.

Band:
Band is an optional extra-curricular activity for all fourth, fifth and sixth graders. Mr. Jeff Jenkins, our instructor, is a graduate of Berklee College of Music.

He directs the band at seven other schools in the greater Manchester area including Trinity High School and Saint Joseph Junior High School. Our students have made remarkable progress under his instruction. His methods and skills have instilled enthusiasm and motivation.

English / Language Arts:
Our Language arts program encompasses listening, speaking, literature, poetry, reading, writing and grammar. We provide a solid foundation of phonetics, coupled with many other methodologies to give students a basis for reading and writing. We make use of both basal and independent reading books. Vocabulary, spelling and grammar lessons are an integral part of the reading and writing curriculum.

Extracurricular activities:
In addition to our regular curriculum, we have attempted to expand opportunities for students to engage in after school, enrichment activities. We have expanded our extracurricular activities this fall to include a hands-on exploration of science, opportunities to engage in community service, technology, and physical activities.

Library:
We have classroom libraries as well as a school library. Pre-Kindergarten through grade three have a weekly library period. During this period they are encouraged to select an ability appropriate book to read during the upcoming week. The librarian also utilizes this time to read to the class a story that is correlated with their present curriculum. All grades make use of the resource material which is also located in the library.

Mathematics:
The scope and sequence of the math program of MSMA allows for mathematics to be a hand-on approach as well as a team effort. Mathematics depends both on memorization and understanding. The areas of focus are computation, estimation, geometry and problem solving. Manipulative materials are used throughout the various grades

Music:
In the Early Childhood Program children listen to music, learn songs, begin rhythm activities and creative movement. The elementary music curriculum provides time for listening to artists and discussion of the various styles of music, from modern day to centuries past.

Physical Education:
Physical education is an organized instructional period for physical development and coordination for all students from Pre-kindergarten through grade six. Children begin class with a warm up exercise before the lesson of the week is introduced. The curriculum includes hand-eye coordination, large body movement, body awareness, spacial awareness, fittness training, and social skills.

Science:
The science curriculum is made up of the study of Natural Science, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. The students study plants and animals and their habitat, the human body, chemical reactions, machinery, electricity, and motion just to name a few.

Social Studies:
The social studies program at MSMA explores the world and people around the world, studying similarities and differences, human interdependence, rights and responsibilities. Students study cultural practices and how people live in different parts of the world. World Geography and History are incorporated into the academic program.

Spanish:
Spanish is taught to all students at Mount Saint Mary Academy. The course content includes speaking, reading, grammar and cultural topics. Senora Chag, a native of Peru, is our Spanish teacher. She enriches our student's lives with her instruction, enthusiasm, her lively personality and her love of children.

Spiritual Development:
In order to function in life, children need to develop right relationships with others and especially with their God. The gospel stories model the expectations they are to live by as Christians. Prayer is a way of expressing their beliefs, their needs and their faith. Having prayer in their lives gives children an avenue to turn to someone greater than themselves.

Technology:
The elementary grade students are first introduced to the uses and care of computers. Rules for the lab are established with the students. The main objective for grades one through six is to teach practical use and applications of technology. Elementary students 6 learn to use Microsoft Office programs.