Academic Profile
St. Timothy Catholic School offers a comprehensive curriculum to students in preschool through eighth grade. With small class sizes, state-of-the-art technology, and a dedication to fully developing each student’s potential, St. Timothy provides a welcoming and stimulating environment for learning.
Preschool
St. Timothy preschool offers programs for 3- and 4-year-olds. The 3-year-old program offers both two-day and three-day options, in the morning or the afternoon. The 4-year-old program provides both a three day and a five day option. In each case, the morning can be extended to provide a full day program for the student.
Preschool programs focus on socializing and group interaction, including conflict resolution and problem-solving. Children also learn academic building blocks, including letter and number recognition and basic language and math skills, that will serve as the foundation to the rest of their education.
Elementary School (K-5)
Elementary grades have two self-contained classrooms per grade level – three for full-day kindergarten. The elementary school curriculum includes Religion, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and Language Arts, which encompasses grammar, reading, spelling and phonics. The curriculum follows the guidelines of the Diocese of Arlington, available online here. Students also receive specialized instruction in Spanish, Art, Computer, Library, Music, Health, and Physical Education.
Middle School (6-8)
St. Timothy School utilizes a middle school model for grade 6-8, preparing the students for the types of courses and academic challenges they will face in high school. Students get the opportunity to take control of their courses while fulfilling all required coursework.
Each grade level has two homerooms within a departmentalized system. Middle school teachers each have a curriculum area of concentration within the core subjects, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Literature, while students to learn from specialists in a particular field of study.
The curriculum includes Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Literature, Language Arts and Religion. Algebra is available in 7th grade, and both Algebra and Geometry are available in 8th grade for those students who meet Diocesan qualifications. Spanish, Music, Physical Education, Health, Computers, Art, Library and Study Skills are also part of the curriculum. Students also have the opportunity to choose from a list of electives each quarter, allowing them to expand their educational horizons.
Accreditation
St Timothy School is accredited by the Virginia Catholic Education Association (VCEA), whose accreditation process has been approved by the Virginia Council for Private Education Committee on Accreditation as authorized by the Virginia State Board of Education.
A Legacy of Achievement
We are very proud of our graduates. Two former students and members of our parish community have chosen to serve the Lord and his people through the ministry of the priesthood. In 2011, Luke Dundon was ordained to the priesthood, and Thomas Yehl received into the permanent deaconate as he continues his studies for ordination.
From our beginnings as a school community, our graduates have shown academic excellence by the recognition they received in their high school years. The following students are a few examples:
Maureen Higgins (STS Class of ’86) Salutatorian-Paul VI Catholic High School (’90)
Elizabeth Rimkus (STS Class of ’94) Salutatorian-Paul VI Catholic High School (‘98)
Laura Rimkus (STS Class of ’96) Valedictorian-Paul VI Catholic High School (’00)
Caitlin Knotts (STS Class of ’97) Valedictorian-Paul VI Catholic High School (’01)
Genevieve Svec (STS Class of ’06) Valedictorian-Paul VI Catholic High School (’10)
Danielle Jones (STS Class of ’07) Valedictorian- Paul VI Catholic High School (’11)
One of our recent graduates is currently continuing to shine at Bishop O’Connell High School. During the 2010-2011 school year Emily Lodge (STS Class ’09) participated in the Northern Virginia Regional Science Fair. She received a first place in her Microbiology category and a third place in the overall ‘Best of Fair” competition.
In addition, Emily was recognized by Governor Bob McDonnell as the 2011 Outstanding Youth Volunteer.
Testing Results
TerraNova is the Diocesan standardized test for students in grades 2-7. Administered each spring, TerraNova helps teachers assess student performance as a means of planning relevant instruction to support the established curriculum. The national norm is 50 percentile; the scores for St. Timothy students far exceed this percentile.
| 2011 Results | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade | Reading | Language Arts | Mathematics |
| Grade 2 | 80 | 80 | 69 |
| Grade 3 | 78 | 85 | 76 |
| Grade 4 | 83 | 83 | 86 |
| Grade 5 | 83 | 75 | 73 |
| Grade 6 | 85 | 81 | 79 |
| Grade 7 | 85 | 82 | 83 |
