St. Dominic K-6

Our Language Arts curriculum includes reading, literature, writing, and grammar, vocabulary, spelling, composition, listening, speaking and penmanship. Understanding the wide developmental range in boys, our daily instruction occurs in whole and small groups, as well as individually.

Reading comprehension, speaking, and listening skills are taught through an exposure to the world of literature. Teachers provide ample opportunities for our boys to explore all types of books, with a goal of fostering a love of reading. At the intermediate level, a focus on discussion skills, critical thinking, and literary analysis is accomplished through the Great Books Program. 

Our writing curriculum introduces boys to the creative and technical process of writing in a variety of genres within the curriculum. Emphasis on building grammar and vocabulary proficiency promotes the acquisition of effective oral and written communication skills, and developing the critical links between vocabulary, writing, and reading comprehension.  Boys in grades K-4 utilize the Zaner-Bloser handwriting program, which develops fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, and strengthens the ability to translate ideas into words.  Extensive phonics work in the primary grades is also used to develop a strong foundation in spelling and decoding skills, and our teachers implement the Orton-Gillingham methodology as a multisensory resource for reading and phonics instruction.

Our comprehensive science curriculum affords our boys the opportunity to develop the skills of observation, documentation, data collection and analysis. Students’ research esearch skills evolve as they learn to identify appropriate resources and evaluate the validity of information

Our science curriculum for grades 1-4 is based on Mystery Science, which captures our boy's natural curiosity about the world and inspires them to develop a scientific understanding of it. Students in grades 1-3 also attend a weekly STEM-based lab class, iLab. Here boys participate in learning experiences that guide them through the inquiry process while answering a central question, solving a problem, or meeting a challenge. In grade 4 students work on a culminating environmental STEM project in conjunction with the Wolf River Conservancy and other environmental resource programs in the greater Memphis area.

In grades 5-6 the curriculum is taught from Science Dimensions, where students are provided with virtual resources and a student investigation notebook. In Grade 5 students explore the engineering design process, properties of matter, and plants and animals and their ecosystem interactions. Grade 6 is an engineering-based course where students build and program Lego EV3 robotics.

Making use of the resources of this Mississippi River region of Tennessee and the city of Memphis, it is not uncommon to find a St. Dominic science class exploring the woods of Shelby Forest, testing water samples of the Wolf River, or venturing through the many fields of Shelby Farms, all in the spirit of science, exploration, and discovery.

Religious studies and faith formation are an integral part of our school’s curriculum and culture. The goal of the religion program is to foster in children an awareness of, and a sensitivity to, God’s presence in their lives. We cultivate an environment of prayer, study, community and service in which children can develop a close relationship with God and a love for each other. Religion is taught in all grade levels, and the teachings of the church are integrated across content areas. In grade 2, there is an emphasis on the Sacraments of Initiation, which enhances the sacramental preparation that they receive in their individual parishes.

Each day begins and ends with prayer and students are encouraged to form habits of virtue throughout the school day, as well as at home. Our student body is comprised of children from a range of religious denominations, and respect for the religious preferences of all students is fostered and encouraged.

The physical education program encourages our boys to enhance their neuromuscular coordination, physical endurance, and strength and skills acquisition in a variety of sports and games. Our boys also learn the importance of good sportsmanship and team play. The program’s goal is to develop lifelong habits of fitness. In Grades K-6, we implement many of the latest cutting edge theories of play and movement, as well as speed and strength methods, including the Railyard Fitness System and Bal-A-Vis Coordination. In conjunction with the program content, the boys receive instruction in a variety of team sports and games from around the world. At the end of each year, the boys participate in the Presidential Youth Fitness Program. 

St. Dominic School also offers a robust extracurricular athletics program at different grade levels. Our boys have the opportunity to be involved in soccer, golf, football, flag football, track, basketball, swimming and tennis.

Our Guidance program is based on the five core competencies set forth by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. The objective of the program is for our boys to acquire the necessary attitudes, knowledge, and interpersonal skills to understand and respect themselves and others, set and pursue goals, and develop problem-solving skills necessary to take responsibility for their learning. This growth and development process not only prepares them for the challenges of their continuing education but also for life. Emphasis is placed on organization, time management, and work habits in the fifth and sixth grade.

Exposure to a world language enables our boys to expand their knowledge of diverse cultures. Research indicates that studying another language enhances creativity and memory. The Spanish curriculum for students in grades K-6 emphasizes speaking and listening skills, provides opportunities for writing and reading the language, and includes a study of the Spanish culture. A distinguished element of our program is the live exchanges that our boys have with Spanish speaking students through the use of our Distance Learning Center. To connect their classroom experience to our local community, the boys are also exposed to local cultural events and experiences such as art exhibits and music and dance performances.

Our school is a leader in the use of technology in an educational setting and has been designated as an Apple Distinguished School. Using the student standards outlined by the International Society of Technology in Education (ISTE), our boys are using technology to transform their learning. The boys leverage technology to become empowered learners, knowledge constructors, innovative designers, creative communicators, digital citizens, computational thinkers, and global collaborators.With the world of technology opening before them, our boys are preparing to take their place in this field.

The power of the Arts to enrich the human experience and society is recognized and celebrated at St. Dominic School. The arts connect our students to history, to diverse cultures, and to their own imaginations. We offer students a comprehensive Arts education in an environment that includes a well-equipped and spacious art studio, two music rooms and a large theater. Our robust program includes visual art, vocal and instrumental music, and drama.

Through the Visual Arts students experience drawing, painting, printmaking, and graphic design. The study of great works of art is incorporated into the curriculum. The boys have opportunities to participate in a variety of art contests, and their art is displayed in local exhibits. The goals of our Performing Arts program are to provide students an opportunity to participate in theatrical productions and to develop musical concepts and skills both vocal and instrumental. The curriculum includes Orff Music instruction and World Music Drumming.

Extra-curricular activities enhance our Arts program offering our students numerous opportunities to further explore their creativity. Two full-production theater performances are offered each year along with Boy Choir, Grades 5-8 Chorus, Liturgical Choir, and String Ensemble. The boys also share their gift of performance at Mass, school assemblies, and community events.

St. Dominic School provides a range of ways for our boys to exercise their leadership skills whether through elected, selected, academic, athletic, or service opportunities. We aim to instill in the boys an appreciation of servant-minded leadership. As one of the “Four Pillars” of our Dominican identity, service is an essential component of our understanding of leadership development in our boys. We therefore provide a wide array of service projects throughout the year to allow each student to develop a sense of responsibility to each other and our community as a whole.