OMC adheres to the core curriculum required by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the State of Pennsylvania. To learn more about Catholic elementary education, visit the Archdiocesan Elementary Education website.

Religion

As a Catholic school, the teaching of the Catholic Faith, Catholic Values, and the Way of Our Lord is at the heart of everything we do. All students attend religion classes and participate in regularly scheduled liturgies and prayer services that are designed to foster spiritual growth and renewal.

Our Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program is provided for students in Pre-K, K, and First Grade to introduce children to Jesus and prayer in a gentle way at an early age.

Beyond learning the principles of the Catholic faith, students follow the early development of the faith through the Old Testament stories. The New Testament is the text for the upper grades as they analyze the teaching of Jesus and study the development of the Church after His Death and Resurrection in the Act of Apostles. By 8th grade, Church history is examined and Catholic Christian morality is a central topic of discussion.

Language Arts

Our Language Arts Program follows the national Common Core Standards. The Standards establish an ascending spiral of skills and concepts related to reading, writing, speaking, and listening from Kindergarten through 8th grade.

Reading includes developing foundational reading skills, learning to read and appreciate a variety of literary genres, and reading for informational purposes.

In their writing students develop an ever-increasing sophistication of language use, from vocabulary and syntax to the development and coordination of ideas. They address increasingly demanding content and ideas.

The students learn to master the conventions of the English language and communicate their ideas effectively through the spoken word. In turn, they develop abilities to be considerate, analytical listeners.

Mathematics

The Mathematics Curriculum is a carefully planned program that focuses on the understanding of basic concepts and mastery of skills, and applying these skills through extensive instruction and practice. Consistent with the state and national standards for mathematics instruction, the curriculum focuses on problem-solving, which is considered vital to every skill developed. The curriculum also places a strong emphasis on communicating mathematically, making real-life and content-area connections, and developing reasoning skills.

OMC’s Honors Math Program is available for high-achieving students in grades 4-8.

Science

The Science Curriculum focuses on the basic concepts of physical, earth, and life science. Students learn to apply the scientific method to their study of concepts and carry out experiments in a spirit of inquiry.

  • Physical Science topics include: Forms of matter, heat, sound, light, motion, force, energy, and machines
  • Earth Science topics include: The water cycle, atmosphere, oceanography, plate tectonics, astronomy, geology, meteorology, and natural resouces.
  • Life Science topics include: The senses, plant and animal structure, cell theory, body systems, biology, microbiology, botany, taxonomy, ecology, and ecosystems.

Social Studies

The Social Studies Curriculum is based on the National Council for the Social Studies Scope and Sequence. The goals of the Social Studies Curriculum include the development of knowledge, skills, values, and social participation appropriate to students’ age and grade level. Students study their neighborhood, community, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Western Hemisphere, the Eastern Hemisphere, and United States history. Geography is incorporated throughout the various content areas.

Starting in 2022, OMC has partnered with the Rendell Center for Civics and Civic Engagement to empower students to be the next generation of engaged citizens. To learn more about the Rendell Center, visit their website.

STREAM/STEM

OMC’s STREAM/STEM program encourages students to develop their digital literacy skills, understand their carbon footprint, and strengthen their cross-curricular critical thinking skills.

Advanced STREAM/STEM classes are available for students in grades 5-8.

Other Specialty Programs

Other specialty programs that students attend on a weekly basis are Music, Advanced Choir, Band, Musical Theater, Art/Art History, World Languages, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, and Physical Education.