Academics

2010 Terra Nova Results
Total scores of Catholic school students in the City of Chicago were equally impressive with the following results:

• Third Graders = 65th percentile
• Fifth Graders = 65th percentile
• Seventh Graders = 74th percentile

Further, Catholic school students in Chicago also scored above national norms in science and social studies with:

• Third Graders = 69th percentile in science and 71st percentile in social studies
• Fifth Graders = 63rd percentile in science and 64th percentile in social studies
• Seventh Graders = 62nd percentile in science and 73rd percentile in social studies

Our goal is to provide your child with the best education possible. Pope John Paul II Catholic School offers students with a quality education. Our experienced teachers follow the curriculum guidelines from the Archdiocese of Chicago. These standards are in accordance with State of Illinois.
http://schools.archchicago.org/Academics/Curriculum
Pope John Paul II Catholic School feels that fine arts are also an essential part of learning. Students participate in Physical Education classes and Music Classes once to twice a week depending on their grade level.

We offer special assistance programs through various mentors, tutors, and counselors. Please speak with your teacher or principal if you think your child may need extra help.

Title 1 is a government funded program under the No Child Left Behind federal education program, focusing on supplemental reading and/or math. Because it is supplemental, the program adds to the work already going on in the classrooms. Students in Title 1 work in small groups, helping students build their self confidence in their abilities to learn. Title 1 teachers work closely with classroom teachers to ensure these students are making progress. Title 1 teachers reinforce what is taught in the classroom, it is not a homework help program. Students who attend Title 1 do not miss new material taught in the classroom. If your student is recommended to take part in Title 1 Services, there is no cost to you.

If you have any questions about the Title 1 Program or if your child is currently a Title 1 Students and you would like to speak to someone about your child, please contact Ms. Susan Boone, Title 1 Teacher.

We at Pope John Paul II Catholic School believe in recognizing our hardworking students for their efforts. Below is an outline of our honor roll. Each quarter, students are nominated to the honor roll based on teacher recommendations and grades. These students are presented with their awards during a special ceremony.

The following grades are eligible for these quarterly awards:

Students that qualify for the A Honor Roll have a GPA between 3.70 and 4.00
Students that qualify for the B Honor Roll have a GPA between 3.00 and 3.69

We push students to strive to reach their highest potential at Pope John Paul II Catholic School! We value all students’ abilities, and challenge them through differentiated teaching techniques to become better learners. Below is our Grading Scale:

Homework is a useful way for students to practice skills and learn independent study habits. It is the student’s AND parent’s responsibility to be sure that all homework is completed every night! Students in grades 2 through 8 will receive an assignment notebook in which to write down each assignment as it is given. It is the parents’ responsibility to supervise a child's homework time and check to see that assignments are finished and done neatly. Without doing the assignments, parents should encourage the child to spend the necessary time to be neat, look up the spelling of unfamiliar words, and to use correct punctuation. Parents are encouraged to help children in these ways so that the children will acquire the self-discipline required for doing homework. On most school days, children will be asked to do homework. Reading assignments that do not require writing are as important as written work. PERSONAL READING IS ALWAYS ENCOURAGED for students to expand their learning power.