Elementary School

In an industry where “new and improved” curricula come out every year, Singapore Math is one of the few that has actually driven higher achievement results across real large-scale student populations worldwide.  In fact, the most recent testing averages at QPCS for grades K-Level 6 are well above national scores.  This curriculum teaches children the “how and why” of foundational math, steadily building skills with the goal of preparing them for more advanced topics.  Singapore Math is about drawing connections, supporting the thinking process, and instilling thorough mathematical understandings.  It encourages perseverance and naturally builds confidence, as students become equipped to solve higher level problems.

Our students commence using the Saxon Math program (Hake/Saxon) in grades 7 and 8.  According to Seton Educational Media, Saxon’s “unique incremental development with continual practice and review approach to math instruction provides a most effective method for preparing a student for the SAT or ACT.  The entire Saxon program positively reinforces the fundamentals and enables all aspiring young adults to achieve and excel in mathematics.  This program, along with additional technological support, has increased our upper Middle School NWEA assessment scores to well above the national average.  

Our math block is 50 minutes long and is set at the same time for all classes, 1st-8th grade.  This allows flexibility to group diverse learners according to need and achievement rather than assuming all students will proceed at the same pace because of their age.  Through the expertise and collaboration of our faculty, NWEA assessments to track achievement, along with math placement exams at the beginning of the school year, we are able to ensure that all students are being supported appropriately in their math progress.  This is a responsive program where students, parents, and teachers work together throughout the year to best assess where each student is academically, and adjustments can be made throughout the school year, as needed.

About Ted Micke:

Ted Micke was born and raised in Cloquet, MN.  A lifelong devoted Catholic, Ted attended Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Elementary School (now Queen of Peace Catholic School) from 1940-1948 when he graduated from the 8th grade.  The Micke family has long been a strong supporter of Catholic education and in particular, Queen of Peace.  All of Ted and Irene’s 7 children, Steven, Brian, Julie, Linda, Karen, Theresa, and Jennifer, attended Queen of Peace school in part because of its strong focus on faith and academics.  Ted especially excelled at Math, he was a “natural”, according to son Steve.  Ted’s love of math contributed to his many successes in life.

At the age of 17, Ted went to work for 1st National Bank as a Loan Officer.  Twenty-five years later, he left as its Vice President.  That year, in 1974, Ted started the Reliable Insurance Agency as its sole employee.  He went on to start over 13 Reliable Agencies with up to 34 employees. He was also part owner of City National Bank, a member of Cloquet JCs, Cloquet Chamber of Commerce, Cloquet Kiwanis Club, and Toastmasters.

Ted and Irene were teenage sweethearts that were married for 68 years.  Irene also graduated from Our Lady of the Sacred Heart and is a lifelong member of Queen of Peace Catholic Church.  The Micke family is proud to support Queen of Peace Catholic School and endow its Mathematics program.  

We use the The Story of Civilization series, published by TAN Books, to put a historical frame on our social studies content in grades 1-4. The Story of Civilization follows four basic historical epochs: 1st grade – ancient times; 2nd grade – the era of Christendom; 3rd grade – the age of discovery; 4th grade – the history of the United States. This meaningful historical frame gives our students a narrative context in which to understand the social studies content of civics and geography while also building familiarity with the great characters and societies that have existed before us and that have influenced our own society in America today.

We use the Nancy Larson Science curriculum. Nancy Larson points out that “Every scientist was once a child.” Her science program combines a rigorous curriculum with hands-on learning to create a challenging program that children love.Science Kfocuses on the children and their interaction with the world around them. We introduce all three main science areas of life, physical, and earth and space with more emphasis on life and physical science. Science 1focuses on the life sciences. Children at this age are focused on themselves and the world around them. The topics focus on stages of life starting with human beings, moving to plants then animals (primarily mammals), and ending with insects. Science 2 focuses on the physical world. Children are becoming more inquisitive about the things around them and how things work. The lessons begin with living and non-living things with an explanation of matter.Science 3covers a broad range, starting with the big picture and movinges in practice  to the child’s world. The lessons begin with our solar system, introduce the Periodic Table of the Elements, and teach the children about building blocks of the universe. This leads into chemical and physical changes in matter, the states of matter, meteorology, the Earth’s atmosphere, and the water cycle. The continents, oceans, layers of Earth, tectonic plates, earthquakes, and volcanoes are introduced. Continuing toward the smaller scale, we talk about how rocks are formed, types of rocks, weathering and erosion, and soil. We move to plants and finish with animals. Science 4focuses on organisms and their interactions as well as forms of energy. The emphasis is life science and physical science as lessons review and build upon topics taught in Science K–3.

The Schola Cantorum program has a three-pronged focus: Vocal Technique, Gregorian Chant, and Liturgical Practice.  Each of these prongs are methodically prepared by grade, age, and individual vocal development.  The class outcomes are based mainly on learning to sing sacred liturgical music and Gregorian Chant.  The goal of our Schola Cantorum is to foster a love for the treasury of sacred liturgical music and to gain the skills needed for excellence in singing.  These purposes enable and encourage students to go out into the  world and effectively contribute to church music programs and become supporters of the treasury of sacred music of the Church.  Giving students an acquaintance with beautiful liturgical music is a reward in itself and is in keeping with the wishes of Holy Mother Church.

We use the Spirit of Truth curriculum. In the words of the publisher, Sophia Institute Press, “Spirit of Truth covers the breadth of the Catechism in a rich and age-appropriate way and is designed to connect with students of diverse backgrounds and differing familiarity with the Catholic Faith. While it’s important for our students to understand the Faith, Spirit of Truth is designed to help them internalize the Faith and apply it to their own lives, providing ample opportunity for them to reflect on how everything they are learning applies to their own lived experience. Spirit of Truth provides interactive, teacher-led lesson plans for every day of the school year, including vivid sacred art reflections, stories of the saints, games, role-plays, and critical thinking questions, to capture and keep students’ attention.”

 We use the Virtues in Practice program, from the Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecelia of Nashville, TN. According to the sisters themselves, “Virtues in Practice is a program for children in grades pre-kindergarten through eight to grow closer to Jesus by imitating His life and virtues. It is set up in such a way that a whole school studies the same virtue each month, to provide a whole-school (and at home, whole-family) focus. The program covers 27 virtues over a three-year cycle, with 81 saints held up as models of the virtues.”

We use the Circle of Grace Circle of Grace curriculum to teach students about personal dignity. Circle of Grace is a Christian safe environment curriculum that helps to form and educate children and youth about the value of positive relationships with God and others. The Circle of Grace curriculum teaches children and youth how to identify and maintain appropriate physical, emotional, spiritual, and sexual boundaries; recognize when boundary violations are about to occur; and demonstrate how to take action when boundaries are threatened or violated.