Co-Curriculars

St. Paul's Episcopal School has long had a rich history in visual arts under the direction of Ms. Karen Alleman.  At an early age, art is a safe place for the students to express themselves using a variety of different media. Students explore and create using the different elements of art and design.  Students of all ages are encouraged to discuss their artwork. Students are exposed to different types of art images through print media, posters, and actual pictures and sculptures.

As students move through the program, they use a variety of materials, techniques, and tools to develop an understanding that the choice of different tools and materials results in different outcomes. They begin manipulating materials with a purpose and with increased control of their personal expression. Students will begin to identify elements of art and design.

In the upper grades, art is used as a form of communication and as expressive language. The students become more familiar with the different stages of the creative process from the gathering of initial ideas to the completion of the idea for a piece of work. A variety of media is used to explore and express ideas – both two and three dimensional. Students are encouraged to use specific art vocabulary when reflecting and critiquing artwork.

Our goal in the library is for students to enjoy reading for both entertainment and information and to develop a deep appreciation for a wide variety of literature. Older students will strengthen their skills as readers and expand their reading horizons by exploring a variety of genres using state reading lists, such as the Bluebonnet Reading List. Younger students (ET-1st Grade) will be learning about things good readers do - how to pick a "just right book," how to visualize, how to ask good questions, how to make predictions, how to navigate the different sections of the library, etc.

We will also read from a variety of genres during library time so students are continually exposed to fluent reading and have an opportunity to practice reading skills and strategies. The library will support classroom instruction by teaching and reinforcing research skills as well.

Music is an important part of any child’s education, and the music program at St. Paul’s has been well established over the years.  In music class, students will sing, dance, play instruments, learn to read music, and even write their own music.  Music provides our students with opportunities to explore their creativity and to take risks to perform in front of their peers and parents.

Early Toddlers and Two year olds experience lessons inspired by John Feierabend’s First Steps in Music for Infants and Toddlers. Our Three year olds and Pre-Kindergarten students continue to learn through movement and singing.

Kindergarten- 6th grade musicians experience Orff Schulwerk inspired lessons using curriculum developed by Jeff Kriske and Randy Delelles. Students learn to play many instruments including Orff barred instruments, recorders, and ukukeles.

All students have opportunities to perform throughout the year. Students in grade 1-6 also have the opportunity to sing with the Joyful Noise Singers.

The Physical Education curriculum of St. Paul’s Episcopal School will enable to students explore and develop their God-given gifts within the area of physical fitness. Students will be involved in activities which encourage the enjoyment of play, cooperation, self-discipline, goal-setting, and the difference between athletic competition and play. Students will be exposed to different types of exercise, games, and sports throughout the year. Students will be challenged to see physical fitness as a lifestyle.

Our Spanish program features linguistic studies, active learning, and cultural studies of Spanish speaking countries. Children in our Early Toddlers and Two year old classes are introduced to Spanish vocabulary in class. Our Three year olds - Kindergarten students attend Spanish classes two times a week, while students in grades 1-6 receive Spanish instruction three times per week.

The primary purpose of the Spanish program is to develop the ability to communicate. A big part of this development is raising one's social conscience by cultivating an interest in and a respect for other cultures.

St. Paul’s is a Google Apps for Education (GAFE) school and our goal is to help the students develop digital citizenship and gain the skills they need to be technology literate. Beginning in PreK, all students receive a secure Google account and utilize Google Classroom as a platform for managing and completing digital assignments and communicating in a safe and secure way both inside and outside the classroom.  We strive to integrate technology into the core content areas. Younger students will begin to develop a foundation of basic mouse, keyboard and computer operation skills as they practice foundational concepts like numbers, letters, sorting, sequencing, etc.

Each year, students will build on that foundation as they learn and practice proper keyboarding technique and work within the Google Suite of apps (such as Google Docs, Google Slides, Google Drawing, etc.) to create and produce quality products that demonstrate their learning. Students also develop a digital portfolio (housed in Google Sites) that showcases and celebrates growth and learning as they progress through their academic career at St. Paul’s.