Christ the King Catholic School is a parochial school in the Diocese of Little Rock, Arkansas. We follow, and in some cases, go beyond the Diocesan Curriculum Guide, In Spirit and Truth.

RELIGION

Religious education at Christ the King Catholic School consists of four integral and equally important parts.

The students attend Mass twice a week.

The Loyola Christ Our Life series, approved by the diocese, is used in all grade levels. This particular series meets the goals of our curriculum for the students at Christ the King School. Supplemental materials to the textbook, including videos and other books, are used throughout all grade levels.

Priest visitations make up another part of our curriculum. This aspect of our religion program is also utilized throughout all grades levels. Priest visits are done on a weekly basis by the Associate Pastor.

The last aspect of our religious education curriculum is our Scripture Study program, utilized by Grades 3-8. In this program students are instructed on a regular basis by a group of highly qualified volunteers.

The goal of this school is to implement the philosophy of our founding pastor, Msgr. J. Gaston Hebert. His philosophy is found in the policy manual and follows. “The first goal of our school is to teach and live the doctrines of Jesus Christ. Our second goal is to offer a fine academic program. We believe that these two goals complement one another, working together to form the whole person.”

LANGUAGE ARTS

The multifaceted Language Arts program at Christ the King Catholic School is organized in a variety of settings. It is taught in self-contained classrooms in the primary grades and is departmentalized in the upper grades and the junior high school. The curriculum consists of five separate subject areas: Reading, Grammar, Spelling, Handwriting, and Phonics. Our Reading program is self-contained in grades K-6. In grades 7 and 8, the Reading/Literature program is departmentalized. The Grammar program is self-contained in grades 1-3, and departmentalized in grades 4-8. The Spelling program is self-contained in grades 1-6, while grades 7 and 8 use a vocabulary readiness program. The Handwriting program is self-contained in grades 1-5. The Phonics program is grades 1-3 is also taught in self-contained classrooms.

The library is utilized in many ways as part of the Language Arts program. Grades K-2 use the library for storytelling activities, grades 3-6 utilize the library to supplement the Reading program through presented lessons. Grades 2-8 use the Accelerated Reader program to help document their reading comprehension by taking tests on the books read by the student. The Star Reading program will be used by students in grades 1-3 to accurately evaluate each student's reading ability. All grade levels use the library for free-flow activities such as browsing, checking out books for reports and pleasure reading, and doing reference work.

MATHEMATICS

Mathematics education at Christ the King Catholic School begins at the concrete level and progresses to the abstract level. Grades K-2 make frequent use of manipulatives. Grade 3 marks a transition to a more semi-concrete method of teaching which is continued through the sixth grade. Computer software, learning activities, and video tapes are the most prevalent forms of teaching aids. The seventh and eighth grade mathematics are presented on a fairly abstract level with the chalkboard being the most common method of presentation of new material. The computer is also frequently used at these two levels.

SCIENCE

Science is taught at Christ the King Catholic School using both the Harcourt and the Glencoe series. Grades Kindergarten through third grade are taught in a self-contained setting by the teacher. Grades 4-8 have a departmentalized program. On the Kindergarten and first grade levels, the content is taught through the use of curriculum units rather than textbooks. We integrate field trips, guest speakers, and participation in the school Science Fair into the Science curriculum. Each grade level follows the Diocesan standards according to specified time allotments and coordinates the appropriate series with Arkansas State Guidelines.

SOCIAL STUDIES

At Christ the King Catholic School, Grades K-8 use a variety of materials that enhance our Social Studies program. Thematic units are used in Kindergarten and First Grade. A textbook series is used in Grades 2-8. Along with the text, primary grades use supplementary units. Arkansas History is taught at each grade level with the most emphasis of study in Grades 5-8. Field trips, videos, speakers, library books, and individual and group projects are regularly used to supplement the Social Studies curriculum throughout each grade level.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Physical education is taught to Kindergarten through 8th grade once a week for 45 minutes. Christ the King Catholic School has a large athletic program overseen by our Athletic Director. The following sports are offered at Christ the King Catholic School.

Girls - Volleyball (5-8), Soccer (K-2), Basketball (5-8), Golf (6-8) and
Cheerleading (8)
Boys - Football (7-8), Soccer (K-8), Basketball (5-8) and Golf (6-8)

SPANISH

Spanish is taught to all students beginning in the first grade.

ART

One art teacher teaches visual art at Christ the King Catholic School. Grades K-6 have Art for 45 minutes once a week. Grades 7 and 8 have Art for 45 minutes twice a week for one semester, eighth grade first semester and seventh grade second semester.

COMPUTER

Computer technology is accessible to all students through classroom computers, library computers, and the computer lab. Most classrooms have computers and students work on various types of programs depending on grade level. The library has several computers available to students. The computer lab is equipped with enough computers to accommodate an entire class. [Students in grade K-6 are scheduled into the computer lab once each week. Students in grades 7 & 8 are scheduled for computer instruction two times each week.] The school is networked and all computers in classrooms and in the computer lab have Internet access.

MUSIC

Christ the King Catholic School has a full-time music teacher and provides one 45 minute music class per week to students in grades K-6.

In addition to the music program outlined above, each individual classroom uses music tapes to enhance their curriculum as needed. Grades 7-8 work with classical music in the background and are introduced to some famous composers and styles while studying various periods in history.

The students gain performance experience in various ways during the school year. For example, 6-8 grade students often aid the music director in providing music for Mass. Kindergarten students perform in a "Kindergarten Circus" each May. First grade students perform in a Christmas pageant each December. Second grade students sing during Mass for their First Communion. In the 3rd grade, Christmas caroling at a local nursing home has become a tradition. All students, grades K-8 are invited to participate in Christ the King Children's Choir who perform numerous times during the year.

Christ the King Catholic School students are also exposed to drama through numerous outings to the Arkansas Children's Theater each school year.

PRE-KINDERGARTEN (4 YEAR OLDS)

Our Pre-K program is a full day developmentally appropriate academic and social skills program. Through the implementation of various concepts from E.L.L.A. (Early Literacy Learning in Arkansas) the curriculum includes language arts, math, science, social studies, music and art. Religion is an integral part of instruction. P.E. and computer skills are taught in each classroom. (The Pre-K curriculum reflects the philosophy of the school and the diocesan curriculum guide.)

KINDERGARTEN

Our Kindergarten program is a full day academic program. The children have language arts, math and religion as part of their curriculum. (The Kindergarten curriculum reflects the philosophy of the school and the diocesan curriculum guide.) The children have P.E., music, computer, art and library one day per week.