Kolbe-Trinity School has combined K-8 classes, where students from two paired grade levels are taught together in the same classroom. This educational approach allows for:
Continuity: Students have the same teacher for two years, providing stability and a deeper understanding of each student's strengths and areas for growth.
Peer Learning: Older students often help younger ones, reinforcing their own knowledge while providing mentorship and support.
Flexible Grouping: Students can be grouped based on their learning needs rather than strictly by age, allowing for more effective differentiation.
With the exception of math and TK-2 language arts, classes are taught on a rotating schedule.
1st Grade - The Ancient World The Story of Civilization: Volume 1 (TAN, selections) Read-Alouds: Detectives in Togas, Classic Myths, Billy and Blaze, etc.
2nd Grade - The Medieval World The Story of Civilization: Volume 2 (TAN, selections) Read-Alouds: Grimm’s Fairy Tales (selections), The Snow-Queen, The Door in the Wall, etc.
3rd Grade - Making of the Modern World The Story of Civilization: Volume 3 (TAN) Literature: The Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, Wind in the Willows, Swallows and Amazons, Secret Garden, Pippi Longstocking, Pinocchio, etc.
4th Grade - California History A Journey Across America: California (Catholic Textbook Project) Literature: The Earth Dragon Awakes, The Boxcar Children, The Borrowers, The Trumpet of the Swan, A Wrinkle in Time, The Magician’s Nephew, etc.
5th Grade- American Year The Story of Civilization: The History of the United States (TAN) Literature: Treasure Island, The Witch of Blackbird Pond, Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, The Horse and His Boy, etc.
6th Grade - Ancient Year (Greek, Roman, Chinese, Indian) The Curious Historian, Volumes 2A and 2B (CAP) Literature: D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths, Black Ships Before Troy, The Hobbit, The Bronze Bow, The Eagle of the Ninth, Prince Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, etc.
7th Grade - Medieval Year (Christendom, Byzantium, China, India, Japan) The Curious Historian, Volumes 3A and 3B Literature: Beowulf, The Sword and the Stone, The Shining Company, A Single Shard, Arabian Nights (abridged), Midsummer Night’s Dream, Blue Fingers: A Ninja’s Tale, The Silver Chair, etc.
8th Grade - Making the Modern World Light to the Nations II (Catholic Textbook Project) Literature: Macbeth, A Christmas Carol, War of the Worlds, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Giver, The Last Battle, etc.