Religion

St. Mary’s is a very unique school as it is the only K-8 IB World School in Orange County which also incorporates Christian values and principles within its curriculum. The school works to give students the confidence and freedom to explore who they are and who they want to be by expanding their world with an IB education in a nurturing, faith-based community.

Students are introduced to Christian Enrichment in Preschool in a developmentally appropriate manner. Christian values are taught through song, reflection during circle time, and weekly chapel. The foundation of mutual respect, a kind word and a helping hand are instilled and the central idea is that when students express themselves in a positive way, conflict is managed and peace is created. Even at a young age, the Preschoolers are challenged to understand different perspectives, whether those perspectives are individual or the perspective of a group, and that people make choices based on their understanding of the world around them. As they understand the world better and other perspectives, their individual choices that they make contribute to a peaceful environment.

Christian Enrichment in Lower School centers around a weekly chapel and students attend a Christian Enrichment class once a week. The curriculum revolves around the IB Learner Profiles and Attitudes and how they relate to spiritual and moral issues. Through regular weekly Chapel and an additional weekly meeting, students develop their themes interactively, using Bible references, the Character Traits, and class discussion to clarify. This program is intended to provide a solid base of character and spiritual education and is reflective, engaging, and supportive of Christian values.

Weekly Chapel continues in Middle School and weaves in service learning elements where students are encouraged to foster a commitment to civic involvement and are recognized for this among their peers during this time. Students study a one-trimester Religion course aimed at encouraging students to gain and develop the knowledge, conceptual understanding, analytical, interpretive and communication skills that contribute to the development of the student as a whole. This is achieved through the study of the Bible and supplementary materials and a focus on family and the daily lives of historical individuals and groups. Students study the spread of ideas, cultures, and belief systems that impact our world. Natural connections across the curriculum allow students to develop a richly stratified understanding of history, culture, people, groups and belief systems. Students, through critical thinking, explore why and how to study Biblical history; and, through inquiry, they gain understanding in how the past has molded our current society. A significant goal of this course is to help students become global citizens. Class discussions and research assignments encourage understanding and tolerance of other cultures, religions, and faith communities.