Who We Are
Belong.
Family. Church. Citizen of the World.
Children learn best as part of a supportive community. At Terra Sancta we will work
in harmony with the child’s primary community – the family.
Together with parents, we
seek to connect children to learning experiences that help them find their place and
purpose.
We walk with the child as he or she journeys to more and more expansive
understandings of community – from family, to classroom, to church, to citizen of the
world.
What does "belonging" look like?
• Multi-age classrooms (ages 3-6, 6-9, 9-12) permit the child to adopt
roles of learner and leader
• Frequent communication between parents and teachers promotes for
continuity between school and home
• Spiritual formation opportunities for parents and teachers together, through
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, fosters respect and affection between
school and the “domestic church”
• Liturgies and school-wide events invite families onto campus and into the
classroom in a celebration of learning and growing
• Age-appropriate lessons on corporal works of mercy invite the child to see
himself or herself as an agent of change and ambassador of peace in a world in
need
Behold.
Wonder. Discovery. Reflection
Children learn best when they are invited to behold the marvels of the universe; when
they can engage their head, heart and hand. Informed by Maria Montessori’s
observations about child development, Terra Sancta aligns learning with natural
interests and capacities of students at different stages.
Inspired teachers and
intriguing instructional materials invite exploration and discovery. Children learn at
their own pace and retain more, all with a sense of joy. Most importantly, what they
learn becomes an integral part of who they are.
Children contemplating the
wonders of the world are given time and space for reflection that considers not just
the “what” of curriculum standards but also the personal and cosmic “why”.
What does "beholding" look like?
• Sensorial, hands-on Montessori materials inspire the 3-6 year old child to
acquire basic numeracy, literacy, social-emotional, and cultural skills, growing in
confidence and curiosity while developing a sense of awe and gratitude
• Montessori cosmic education (ages 6-9 and 9-12) facilitates connections
between subject areas, inspires reflection on the gifts of mankind throughout
the ages, and addresses the child’s natural sensitivity to justice and
compassion
• Two-to three-hour blocks of uninterrupted work time promote the development
of concentration and child-directed choice
• Spiritual formation in the Catholic tradition, which includes time for work and
prayer, encourages a habit of self-reflection, the practice of gratitude, and promotes active response to the beauty, truth and goodness of the world through service learning
Become.
Freedom. Responsibility. Transformation.
Children develop morally when they are given freedom within limits. It is only within the
context of choice that they can become the responsible, virtuous human persons they
were meant to be. We believe that God has willed each child into being and endowed
each child with particular gifts and strengths.
An Individualized approach to
education, in which children participate in setting goals and self-assessing, allows for
human flourishing. At every step of the way, the soul of the child is honored and
supported.
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a Montessori-inspired
approach to spiritual formation, is central to the child’s discovery of their covenant
invitation and personal mission to build the Kingdom of God.
What does "becoming" look like?
• In the course of daily classroom lessons, teachers make connections to
Catholic scientists, historians, leaders and artists so that children feel
connected to a long line of innovative Kingdom builders
• Students reflect on their own growth, regularly conference with their teachers,
set goals, and make choices within limits so as to recognize their development
• Weekly Catechesis of the Good Shepherd sessions for students, ages 3-12,
invite children to ponder themes from Scripture and liturgy
• Adolescents participate in daily prayer and Scripture study, as well as retreat
experiences
• Daily community prayer within the classroom, often planned and led by
students, unites us to God in a particular way at the beginning and end of the
day and before lunch
• Liturgical celebrations and feast day traditions are celebrated to connect
children, teachers and families to the life of the Church