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Class of 2015
St. John the Beloved School
Annual Report 2014 - 2015
St. John the Beloved School • 905 Milltown Rd. • Wilmington, DE 19808
www.saintjohnthebelovedschool.org
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, COMMUNITY, SERVICE, WORSHIP!
“Lead me, Lord.”
MIDDLE STATES
Accredited
NCEA Member
AMLE MEMBER
Class of 2015
Our Mission
MISSION STATEMENT
The MISSION of St. John the Beloved School is to teach and model the Gospel of Jesus Christ, foster
academic excellence, and encourage service to others.
BELIEF STATEMENTS
1. We believe that Reverence, Respect and Responsibility are the foundations of our Catholic School.
2. We believe that the whole child will be developed spiritually, intellectually, physically and socially.
3. We believe that the academic and Catholic religious formation of our students is a shared
responsibility among the home, the school and the parish.
4. We believe that the diverse academic needs of students are met in a rich learning environment with a
challenging curriculum and dedicated teachers.
Class of 2015
Page 1
November, 2015
Dear Staff, Students, Families & Friends of Saint John the Beloved School,
Catholic education is a great benefit for us. Our parish and staff are able to
hand down what is most important to us, the evangelization of the
Gospel. Our students and graduates are privileged to be handed to them this
discipline in the discipleship of Jesus Christ. Our families and friends make
sacrifices to enable this to occur and, most often, reap the goodness in the
world around them.
As a product of Catholic Education, I cherish what I received from those who
loved me and most often are reminded, in my daily routine, of the
fundamentals that I was taught. More than the solid basics, Catholic
Education establishes a spiritual fabric that is essential for the diversity of
life.
Rooted in Jesus, Catholic Education seeks to be holistic and promote
holiness. The efforts that are spent for this purpose are never wasted. As we
celebrate our sixtieth anniversary as a parish this year, may the continued
blessings of our parochial school enhance the world.
God Bless You!
Rev. Joseph J. Piekarski
Pastor
Class of 2015
St. John the Beloved School Serving 4 year old Early Childhood through 8
th Grade
905 Milltown Rd. • Wilmington, DE 19808 • 302-998-5525 A Catholic school in the Franciscan Tradition. www.saintjohnthebelovedschool.org
Yours in St. Francis,
Richard D. Hart
Principal
Page 2
Dear Friends,
“Lead me, Lord” was the theme for our 2014 – 2015 school year.
Keeping this phrase in mind, I am happy to present to you our Annual
Report.
Our Mission Statement - “The mission of St. John the Beloved
School is to teach and model the Gospel of Jesus Christ, foster academic
excellence, and encourage service to others” – is alive and well. It is visible
on a daily basis in the interactions of faculty, staff, parents, and students and
is the driving force that holds our school together. Each and every one must
be committed so that it is not only lived out between school families but
impacts the larger community. In short, we have strived to become what we
are today.
Our school has a rigorous academic program as evidenced by our
yearly TerraNova results for grades two through eight and the number of
scholarships attained by the class of 2015. The gospel is lived out in our
religion classes and our worshipping together as a community. Our service
to the larger community is quite visible through our participation in
Neighbors to Nicaragua and our sister school, John Paul, II. The
outstanding efforts of our Student Council and student body enable
countless agencies to benefit from our fundraising activities.
Our mission is not just made possible by the committed people
inside the building. Our school families, as witnessed by our Home and
School Association, our Enrichment Association as well as the parish at
large support us financially. This allows us to move forward to instruct the
next generation in the faith and prepare them for academic success and a life
of service to others.
Class of 2015
CATHOLIC IDENTITY
Celebrated monthly liturgies
Prepared second grade for First
Communion
Celebrated First Reconciliation &
Communion for second grade
Spotlighted a student choir and band
for liturgies
Participated in the Faculty Retreat
Day
Created a retreat experience for our
sixth, seventh, and eighth grades
Instructed Kindergarten in prayer
assisted by their eighth grade buddies
Recited the Rosary in October and
May as a school community
Participated in the Stations of the Cross
during Lent
Eighth grade performed Living Stations
School community honored Mary by
participating in a traditional May
Crowning
Students participated in a monthly service
project that benefited various
Organizations
Franciscan Award at eighth grade
graduation
Peacemaker awards awarded each
trimester to those who model our
Franciscan Values
Continued support to our sister school with
Neighbors to Nicaragua
Participated in Diocesan Pilgrimage
Initiated school wide service requirements
CURRICULUM
Middle States Reaccredited
Adopted the new Terranova testing
program – 2nd
to 8th grade
Emphasis placed on Step Up to
Writing Program school wide
Expanded Spanish Program
Instituted an in-depth memorization
program for multiplication in grades
three through five
New Wonders reading program K-6
All updated Curriculum has online
component
My Math program grades 2-5
Wonders Reading 6th grade
New Spanish Books 8th grade
Vocabulary Workbooks grade 3
1:1 Chromebooks 6th & 7
th grades
Chrome Book Carts grades 3-5
Additional iPads for primary grades
FACILITY ENHANCEMENTS
New sidedwalk between buildings
Parking lot resurfaced and relined
Updated school roof
Replaced Ceiling tiles
MAINTENANCE
Stripped and waxed all floors
Area Carpets Cleaned
Windows Cleaned
Asbestos Inspections
Detailing of Student bathrooms
Highlights Accomplishments 2014 - 2015
Page 3
Class of 2015
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Raised $5,000.00 for various charities
including Multiple Sclerosis Society,
Lymphoma Society, SJB Food Closet
Easter Baskets for Ministry of Caring
Honored our Veterans on Veterans
Day with a special celebration
Raised money for John Paul II school
in Nicaragua
SJBAC (Students Joining the Battle
Against Cancer) raised $10,000.00
Memorial donations made to recently
deceased members of our school
family
Raised over $52,000.00 during the
Bi-Annual Bid-A-Mania.
STUDENT ACTIVITIES, ATHLETICS
EXTENDED CARE & SUMMER
SCHOOL
Hosted Art Fairs in January and April
Received first and/or second place by
several athletic teams in all sports
Fourth grade hosted Career Week
Annual Christmas concert K – 3rd
with school Choir and Drama Dept.
Middle School trips for Character
Education/Leadership & Team-
Building
Bricks for Kidz
Expanded Band Program
Soccer Shots
ASSEMBLIES
Honors Awards and Breakfast of
Champions
Slim Good Body
Pep Rally
JMT Productions of Christmas,
Easter and First Penance
Mad Science
TECHNOLOGY
Lap Tops for Grade 8
IPADS – ECP through 2nd
grade
Upgraded technology curriculum
Math Skills tutor program
Expanded Teacher Web-pages and
Week in Review Bulletin Board
School Reach Broadcast System
Web-based curriculum for Math,
Science, Social Studies, Reading &
Vocabulary
Smart Boards in all classrooms
ACHIEVEMENTS & RECOGNITIONS
Received acceptances of all Graduates
into a High School of their choice
Fourteen students received twenty-
one scholarships to various High
Schools
Acknowledged Mary Ann Thompson
and Marie Malatesta with 30 years
service each.
Fifteen 8th grade students received
U.S. President’s Award for
Educational Excellence
Celebrated Sr. JoAnn McPolin’s 50th
Jubilee
HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATION/
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Finances the following after school
programs: Italian Club, Young
Rembrandts, Mad Science, Math
Leagues, Science Olympiads, Bricks
for Kidz, It’s Academic, Jr. and Sr.
Chess Club
Coordinates Recess Volunteers
Breakfast with Santa and Santa’s
Secret Workshop
Wacky Walk-A-Thon
Grade Level Socials
Family Night Bingo
Multiple Business Take-Overs
Tuition Assistance
PARENT PARTNERSHIP
Donuts and Dads; Muffins and Moms
Special Persons Week
Coffee and Conversation with the
Principal
Curriculum/TerraNova Night with
Dr. Louis DeAngelo
Page 4
Class of 2015
Our History Celebrating over 50 years of Catholic Education
In 1953, after two years of searching for a desirable site, his Excellency Bishop E. J. Fitzmaurice and
Monsignor John J. Lynch decided to purchase a nine acre farm on Milltown Road, which included a nine room
house. Boundaries for the proposed parish were loosely drawn up and some 500 families began congregating at
the armory on Kirkwood Highway for Sunday service. Bishop Fitzmaurice appointed Rev. John J. Sheehy, the
founding pastor of the parish, to select a new name for the community, to organize a building program and to
establish various parish committees. During this time, a contract for the design of the school was confirmed.
Construction began in the summer of 1956 and in August 1957, seven Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia
moved into their new home and began preparations for students to enter their new school. On September 4, 1957,
Sister M. Eutropia, the grade school principal, along with four sisters and four lay teachers, opened the doors to
approximately 500 students. The school at this time was a nine classroom structure.
With time and the expansion of surrounding suburbia, St. John the Beloved’s much heralded school became
increasingly crowded. Enrollment increased from 500 in 1957 to 940 in 1963, requiring the scheduling of split
academic sessions, under the principalship of Sister Edward Augustine, OSF. To meet the demands of this
growth a new junior school was built and on September 6, 1964, it opened to provide much needed classroom
space.
In its first 15 years of growth, St. John’s experienced many clergy changes; the second and third pastors
respectively were the Rev. Alex Gorski and the Rev. Monsignor John H. Dewson, and the third principal was
Sister M. Synesia, OSF. Later, in 1971, Sister M. Rita Thomas, OSF, assumed the principalship of the school and
introduced updated teaching methods in reading and mathematics. In 1974, the new church was built. The
fulfillment of a promise made to the parishioners since 1955 was realized on December 21, 1976 with the
dedication of the church. Shortly afterwards, in the spring of 1978 the Rev. Daniel W. Gerres became St. John’s
fifth pastor and in the fall, Sister Patricia Hutchison, OSF, assumed principalship of the school.
Page 5
Class of 2015
The school’s population continued to increase and once again in 1983, the need was recognized to enlarge the
school. With the help of Rev. Gerres and Sister Hutchison, and the aid of the parish council, plans to renovate the
existing junior and senior school were developed. Under these plans, an extension was to be built in the vacant
areas between the two schools thus joining the educational buildings. The extension would house a new
library/media center, two small reading centers, a religious education center, the principal’s office and
multi-purpose office. The previous library would now become the much needed computer center. At the same
time, other facilities were remodeled and/or relocated. The new building was approved by both the Parish Council
and Bishop Mardaga. Construction began in the winter of 1983 and was completed by the fall of 1984 when
Sister Ursula Tisdall, OSF, assumed principalship of the junior and senior schools.
In 1985, the school’s Long Range Planning Committee was established to promote development of the school.
The goal of the committee was to provide for the future needs of the school in such areas as: budgeting,
maintenance, funding, public relations and development. In 1986, the Christian Formation committee was
established. The task of this committee was to promote and review educational policies and programs that
support total Catholic education. Another milestone was reached in 1987-88 with the completion of the Middle
States process for school certification. Both faculty and administration made this process a reality.
In the fall of 1987, the Rev. John Kavanaugh became our parish’s sixth pastor. In September 1988, Sister
Elizabeth Doyle, OSF assumed principalship of the junior and senior schools. In January 1989, the school was
granted full accreditation. A Development Committee was also formed in 1989 to meet the long-range
educational needs of St. John the Beloved so that the parish could continue to provide quality spiritual and
educational enrichment that would not be cost prohibitive for its parishioners.
Mrs. Joanne Capodanno became the principal in 1994. The 1998-99 school year brought more changes to the
school. The Eagles Club, an after-school extended day program, opened its doors in September 1998. The
process for the Middle States Certification was undertaken in the fall of 1998 and reaccreditation was given in the
spring of 1999. The computer lab was upgraded with new computers and a technology committee was formed.
The building was also wired to provide access to the Internet.
Rev. Charles Brown III was installed as the seventh pastor of St. John the Beloved Parish in the fall of 2005. Mr.
Richard Hart assumed principalship in 2008. St. John the Beloved School received its reaccreditation from the
Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools during the 2008-09 school year.
2010 brought the expansion of our school with the addition of a separate building to house our new Early
Childhood and Kindergarten Programs. This also provided space for our new Art, Faculty, and Multi-purpose
meeting rooms. The Nurse’s Room, Music Classroom and the Teachers’ Work Room have also been renovated.
On January 30, 2010, Fr. Charlie Brown was bestowed with the Papal Honor of Chaplain to His Holiness and
became Monsignor Charles L. Brown III, V.F.
June 2012 found St. John the Beloved in a pastoral transition. Msgr. Charles Brown retired after 41 years of
service. He served 6 of those years here at St. John the Beloved. The Computer Lab was completely renovated –
including all computers and servers.
In June 2012, Reverend William Cocco was installed as eighth pastor of St. John the Beloved.
2013 brought 2 new priests to our parish, Fr. Etim and Fr. Brian Lewis.
The Rectory office moved to the Vianney house in 2014 and Fr. William Cocco was transferred to St. Edmond’s
Catholic Church in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware at the end of the school year. We welcomed Fr. Joseph Piekarski
as pastor at St. John the Beloved Parish in July of 2015.
Page 6
Class of 2015
Programs & Services Living our Mission Beyond the Classroom
Extended Care – The Eagle’s Club
During the academic year St. John the Beloved’s The Eagles Club Extended Care Program is designed to meet the
needs of school families by offering after school care until 6:00 p.m. The program offers a nurturing environment
where children can be safely supervised while completing their homework, eating nutritious snacks, and enjoying
age-appropriate games and activities.
Athletics • Choir • Student Council • Band
All our children have the opportunity to participate in a variety of sports programs through CYM (Catholic Youth
Ministry): girl’s volleyball, basketball, cheerleading, soccer, softball, track and cross country; boy’s football,
basketball, soccer, wrestling, cross country, track, and baseball. This year several teams placed either first or
second in their division. Athletics had a great year! St. John the Beloved also offers instrumental band and a
student Choir. Student Council is made up of students from all grades under the supervision of mentors Mrs.
Sharon Magee, Mr. Matt Myers, Mrs. Dawn Hartley, and Mrs. Diwanna Walus. They host several events
including Open Houses, Middle States visits, and the school Spirit Assembly. The Student Council prepares and
presents our daily televised morning announcements. They raised over $14,000.00 for various charities this year.
Kitchen and Lunch Service
St. John the Beloved School offers lunch service to our families. On a daily basis, students have the option of
purchasing nutritious complete meals at lunch. The menu changes monthly and families can view the menu a
month in advance. The school also participates in the Federal Milk program.
Page 7
High School Musical
Student Council Officers
Alumni receive St. Francis de Sales Award Winners
Feast Of St. Francis
Class of 2015
TECHNOLOGY The administration, faculty, staff, parents and students of St. John the Beloved School value the use of technology to enhance the education of our students.
This year, both 6th and 7th grade students have their own 1:1 Chromebooks to be used in classes, and at home. Thanks to the financial support of our Enrichment Committee, and Bid-A-Mania, we have a cart of 30 Chromebooks to be shared among the fourth and fifth grade classrooms. We also have a cart of 15 Chromebooks to be shared between the third grade classrooms. These will soon be set up and ready to go.
Now that students in grades 3-5 will be working with Chromebooks, they, too, needed Google Apps for Education accounts (GAFE). The 3rd and 4th graders do not have email, but they will soon be learning to use the other components of this package of collaborative tools for schools.
The Enrichment Committee also funded the purchase of additional iPads to be used in the PreK through 2nd grade classrooms, bringing the total in each room up to three. These will be used in centers, as tools for remediation or challenge, and to help personalize learning for our students.
With all these “connected” devices, we needed to upgrade our WiFi again! During the summer, new enterprise edition access points were installed throughout the school, allowing our students to connect more quickly and easily.
All of this requires a lot of training - for teachers and students! The administration of St. John the Beloved School recognizes that the #1 reason technology integration fails in schools is lack of professional development for teachers. To that end, five teachers were sent to Boston to attend a Chromebook Workshop for 3 days over the summer. They are sharing that knowledge with other teachers, and many teachers are learning through the self-paced, online Google Apps training courses.
Our school has also been selected for a one year trial of five new EdTech apps. We will use these, some with the Chromebooks, and others with iPads, for the year, and provide feedback to the developers.
As a leader in technology integration in the area, we will be hosting a Google Chromebook and GAFE conference here at SJB in the spring. Presenters and attendees will be invited from Catholic, private and public schools in the area. By sharing what we know, we can all become better able to meet the needs of all our students.
Page 8
Class of 2015
TECHNOLOGY
Page 9
Class of 2015
Graduates
Instruments of Peace Class of 2015 St. John the Beloved School sent off fifty-seven
graduates of the Class of 2015. Our graduates
apply to and attend a variety of Catholic & Public
High Schools throughout Wilmington. All of our
graduates achieved entrance into a high school of
their choice and have truly emerged to exceed all
expectations, 51 or 89%, of our graduates are
attending Catholic school while 6, or 11%, are
attending public or charter high schools.
Thirteen of our graduates achieved a total of 22
High School scholarships.
Fifteen of our graduates received the
Presidential Award for Educational Excellence.
Number of
Graduates
Catholic High Schools
20 Salesianum School
15 St. Mark’s High School
9 Padua Academy
5 St. Elizabeth High School
2 Archmere Academy
Number of Graduates Public /Charter High Schools
2 Delaware Military Academy
1 Delaware Design Labs
1 Charter School of Wilmington
1 Cab Calloway
1 Tatnall School Number of
Scholarship
Winners
Scholarship/High School
1 Archmere Academy
5
1
Padua Academy &
Service & Leadership
5 Salesianum
4 St. Elizabeth High School
5 St. Mark’s High School
1 Tatnall (Full)
Page 10
Class of 2015
GRADUATE PROFILE Graduates exhibit a strong foundation in the Catholic faith that is based on a deepening relationship
with Jesus.
Graduates practice the values of Reverence, Respect and Responsibility to inform choices
in their lives and continue to model Franciscan values in order to lead a moral life.
Graduates continue to be sensitive to others in need and to participate in service-related
opportunities locally and globally.
Graduates recognize the privilege and value of their education; they utilize their skills to lead
and to collaborate with others.
Graduates continue to participate in the supportive and caring community at St. John the Beloved
in order to grow and to benefit from its strength.
Graduates become examples of Christian leaders who are confident and who have the courage
to “think out of the box”.
School Administration
August 31, 2015
Page 11
SJB Alumni at St. Elizabeth High
SJB Alumni at Salesianum
SJB Alumni at Padua Academy
SJB Alumni at St. Mark’s High
Class of 2015
St. John the Beloved School maintains a system of internal controls over financial reporting to provide
reasonable assurance that assets are safeguarded and transactions are executed in accordance with the
Diocesan policy.
Rev. William T. Cocco Richard D. Hart
Pastor, St. John the Beloved Principal, St. John the Beloved School
Page 12
Administration
6%
Operation of
Facility
6%
Fixed Charges
20%
Student
Services
8%
Capital
Expenses
1%
Personnel/
Instruction
59%
Expenses
Revenues
St. John the Beloved School
Financial Statements
Class of 2015
St. John the Beloved School
Financial Statements
Page 13
Class of 2015
August 30, 2015
General Information
St. John the Beloved School is a private non-profit elementary catholic school providing Pre-school through eighth grade
elementary education. In addition to providing an elementary education, St. John the Beloved also provides an Extended
Care program and collaborates with catholic youth organization and various organizations for seasonal athletic events and
sponsors various fundraising events. St. John the Beloved School is affiliated with St. John the Beloved Parish and operates
under the control of the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington. St. John the Beloved School is accredited from the Middle States
Association of Schools and Colleges.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Fund Classification
The financial statements have been prepared using a single set of self-balancing accounts. Funds collected under restriction
are segregated from those funds with no restrictions. The fiscal year begins on July 1st and ends June 30.
School Equipment & Improvements
School equipment and property improvements are stated at cost.
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications were made to conform to the Diocesan Financial Guidelines in preparing the 2010 financial
statements. Accordingly, report classifications may vary with those in the annual School Financial Report submitted to the
diocese.
School Equipment and Improvements
School Equipment and property improvements are stated at cost:
2015 2014 School Equipment $ 26,728 $ 38,265
Technology 30.667 96,084 Property Improvements 61,331 51,574
Total $ 118,726 $ 185,923
Statement of changes in the Restricted Fund Balance
Donor
Donation
Restricted for:
Balance
at
June 2014
Restricted
Donations
collected
Released
from
Restriction
Balance
at
June 2015
Development Fund
Academic
Improvement
$ 282,769
$ 7,910
$ 0
$ 290,679
TOTAL
$ 282,769
$ 7,910
$ 0
$290.679
St. John the Beloved Development Annual Fund
The Annual Fund was established in 1989 with the idea of raising approximately one million dollars to be kept in an
endowment fund. The goal of the fund is to sustain and improve the school. The funds are raised through the generosity of
parents, parishioners, and alumni. Most of the funds were raised from annual Phone-a-thons. The fund is an interest-bearing
one that will not decrease in value, is tax deductible and is administered by the school and parish only. We are happy to
report that at the completion of our 2014-15 Campaign, 205 pledges were received with a total collection of $ 3,440.00.
Company matching gifts were a part of this total. Thank you to everyone who participated. May God bless you for your
generous spirit!
Page 14
St. John the Beloved School
Financial Statements
Class of 2015
Page 15
Class of 2015
Partners in our Mission
Bid-A-Mania – Friday, February 28, 2015
The Home and School Association along with the Education Committee hosted our 4th Bid-A-Mania. This event
was a fun-filled evening for adults with raffled baskets for the students. There were many silent and live auctions,
from a variety of generous donors, which raised over $52,000.00! Thank you to all for your generous
participation. A job well done!
Menu for Success You’re invited! Coffee Conversations with the Principal are scheduled twice per year. This is an open forum to
discuss issues that will further the education and well being of our students.
Honor Assemblies
The Breakfast of Champions and the Honors Luncheon are celebrated at the conclusion of the first and second
trimesters.
Family Time
Muffins & Moms, Donuts & Dads, and Special Persons Week is an ideal time for students to spend time with
their loved ones.
Visit our website at www.saintjohnthebelovedschool.org to access our calendar and newsletters or please call us
at 302-998-5525 ext. 200 for more information.
Page 16
Class of 2015
Home & School Association/
Education Committee St. John the Beloved’s Home and School Association & Education Committee
The goals of Saint John the Beloved’s Home and School Association and Education Committee are the following:
to support the Catholic education of all children of SJB
to promote shared educational responsibilities of parents and teachers
to organize the varied talents of parishioners and others in the community
to contribute to the school financially as appropriate.
The 2014 - 2015 Home and School Board The 2014 – 2015 Education Committee
members are: consists of:
Fr. William Cocco, Pastor Fr. William Cocco, Pastor
Mr. Richard Hart, Principal Mr. Richard Hart, Principal
Diwanna Walus – Faculty Advisor Jennifer Sheridan, President
Debbie Portale, President Susan Guariano, Vice-President
Annemary Kluska, Treasurer Paula Jaco - Treasurer
Michele Kane, Secretary Michele Honaker, Secretary
One Home Room Representative
from each class
Both Boards oversee various activities each year and raise funds to support these activities. These activities
include: Coordination of Recess Duty Volunteers, Various Faculty Appreciation Activities, New Family and
Kindergarten Picnic, Spirit Wear, Student Themed Contests, Muffins and Moms, Donuts and Dads, Spirit Rally,
8th Grade versus Faculty Volleyball Game, Breakfast of Champions, Breakfast with Santa, Santa's Secret
Workshop, Chess Club, Science Olympiad, Math League, Bricks for Kidz, Cooking’s Cool, Summer Bridge
Workbooks, 8th Grade May Procession Flowers, Summer Reading Books,Co-Sponsor of The Wild and Wacky
Walk-a-Thon, After School Programs, Bid-a-Mania and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walk.
Page 17
Class of 2015
S J B
Page 18
Band at the Blue Rocks
Halloween
Christmas
Polar Express
Sr. JoAnn’s Jubilee
ART
Blessing of the Pets
Class of 2015
Page 19
Dream It…Believe It…Achieve It… Veteran’s Day Mass
The Bat Mobile
Boys Cross Country
Chess
Fr. Lewis
Band at the B&N Book Fair
Fellowship Farm
Class of 2015
Students Achieving Excellence
All students in grades two through eight participate in yearly Terra Nova testing. These tests are nationally-
normed achievement tests that measure progress in Math, Language Arts, Science and Social Studies.
Additionally, all children complete In View tests for cognitive skills. Students in grades four and seven also
complete a writing assessment. Our students consistently meet or exceed all national standards. The
Superintendent of schools holds sessions with parents and faculty members to explain our yearly score averages
to families.
Assessment drives instruction.
Standardized Tests
snapshot of skills
Classroom Assessments
portfolio of skills
One-time feedback
Multiple choice
Standard questions
Specific time limit
Objective
No self assessment
Measures prior knowledge
Continuous feedback
Multiple formats
Choice of questions
Flexible time limits
Objective/subjective
Self-assessment
Measures application and transfer
There are two types of Standardized Tests: Aptitude and Achievement. Aptitude tests are designed to predict a
student’s potential acquisition of knowledge/skills by using InView. Achievement tests measures a student’s
current acquired knowledge/skills in one or more content areas using TerraNova.
Achievement tests that are standard format, questions, instructions and time allotment are Standardized Tests.
Standardized Tests are used for needs assessment, curriculum analysis, instructional program planning, program
evaluation and class grouping.
Page 20
CLASS OF 2015
Class of 2015
National Percentile Scale
National Norm – 50th
percentile
1 5 1 0 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 95 99 average range
These test results were compiled from March 2013. (+/- shows points above national average for SJB students.)
GRADE READ
CMPS.
LANG.
CMPS.
MATH
CMPS.
SCIENCE SOCIAL
STUDIES
SPELLING TOTAL
SCORE
2ND SCORED
ANTICIPATED
DIOCESE
77 (+27)
70
76
80 (+30)
67
76 (+26)
72
76
69 (+19)
65
68 (+18)
69
74 (+24)
65
78 (+28)
72
3RD SCORED
ANTICIPATED
DIOCESE
84 (+34)
88
77
87 (+37)
84
81 (+31)
80
77
89 (+39)
78
82 (+32)
81
71 (+21)
72
85 (+35)
86
** 4TH SCORED
ANTICIPATED
DIOCESE
82 (+32)
79
76
91 (+41)
85
84 (+34)
78
75
87 (+37)
79
87 (+37)
80
74 (+24)
72
87 (+37)
86
5TH SCORED
ANTICIPATED
DIOCESE
79 (+29)
80
76
81 (+31)
80
83 (+33)
81
80
76 (+26)
77
80 (+30)
79
73 (+23)
72
87 (+37)
85
6TH SCORED
ANTICIPATED
DIOCESE
84 (+34)
81
82
88 (+38)
84
81 (+31)
79
78
78 (+28)
79
90 (+40)
78
76 (+26)
70
87 (+37)
86
**7TH SCORED
ANTICIPATED
DIOCESE
82 (+32)
82
80
90 (+40)
84
83 (+33)
79
83
78 (+28)
82
88 (+38)
80
79 (+29)
70
88 (+38)
86
8TH SCORED
ANTICIPATED
DIOCESE
83 (+33)
85
82
89 (+39)
87
79 (+29)
86
75
78 (+28)
79
84 (+34)
82
73 (+23)
78
87 (+37)
89
** TerraNova with InView Common Core (Common Core is only Language Arts and Math)
A difference is considered meaningful when the difference between scores is seven or more NCE units.
Class of 2015
The academic program is strengthened by our implementation of the following:
Academic Intervention and Support: The staff and administration continually review academic standards and
student performance in order to develop and to implement policies and practices that enhance academic
outcomes. By looking at the task of engaging and motivating students in a meaningful way; developing
pedagogy that incorporates 21st Century learning skills, teachers incorporate differentiated instruction, varied
assessment and the integration of technology into every lesson.
In order to insure student academic development on all levels, a tiered approach to that goal was initiated over
the past three years. Generally, St. John the Beloved School enjoys above average performance on
standardized tests. We face the daily challenge to “have all the boats rise”. The establishment of an academic
support team (2015) insures the identification of students who are struggling academically. The identification
process is data driven through the use of screening assessments to determine the level of intervention needed.
This year, all students in grades K-5 were screened for competencies in word decoding, reading fluency and
comprehension. Students who scored below benchmark are eligible to participate in a Reading Assist tutoring
program. This program offers support for basic phonemic skill development, decoding skills and
comprehension. Students will meet with a trained mentor three times weekly for the length of the program. A
second level of intervention using this same approach will be for students who need specific skill
reinforcement in Reading. These students will receive individual instruction that is targeted to their weaker
Reading skills. The coordinator of this support program will guarantee a continuity of instruction for students
receiving either level of intervention. There will be regular periodic progress monitoring of students while in
the program.
An instructional coach is working with our teachers to implement reasonable accommodations for our students
who have received psycho-educational testing. The school counselor, instructional coach, and the Reading
Assist coordinator function as an Academic Intervention Team providing guidance; establishing appropriate
accommodations and interventions for the students who need academic support.
Reading Counts: Progressive system developed by Scholastic Books that improves reading
comprehension and accountability for students in grades two through eight. Reading Counts exposes students
of all grades and accomplishment levels to exceptional literature. Comprehension is measured through
computer generated testing.
Wonders Reading: Through an integrated approach, literacy solutions Reading Wonders, build all learners –
both striving and struggling, into stronger readers and writers.
Continuous Development of Science Fusion: This is a state-of-the-art science program designed for building
inquiry, STEM, and optimized for learning in the classroom, at home, on a laptop, a tablet, or using a science
textbook. The digital curriculum, virtual labs and hands-on activities, and write-in science textbook develops
important critical thinking skills that prepare students for success in future science courses and in the workplace.
Instructional Grouping 5th
– 8th
grades: By academic apititude: excellerated or average.
Continually reviewing and enhancing our text book series: Over the last four years we have upgraded:
Social Studies, Grammar, Delaware History, Science, Reading, Vocabulary and Spanish. Presently all texts
book series have been upgraded. This year, the faculty and staff reviewed a number of potential new math
series for the school. A new math program will start 2015-16.
St. John the Beloved School achieved reaccreditation with distinction in April 2009 from the Middle States
Association of Colleges and Schools; our graduates are accepted to the high school of their choice. The academic
program is further enhanced through Spanish Language for all grades and a selection of electives that includes music,
math league and science olympiad. A developmental curriculum of study skills and social skills is coordinated by the
school counselor.
“Start by doing what’s necessary, then what’s possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” ~St. Francis of Assisi
www.saintjohnthebelovedschool.org