All Catholic schools in the Diocese of Kalamazoo, Pre-Kindergarten thru Twelfth Grade, use the established curricula and related materials promoted by the Diocese through the Office of Schools.

Curriculum Standards 
 
Catholic schools in the Diocese of Kalamazoo utilize the established curricula and materials promoted by the Diocese through the Office of Schools, which includes rigorous and high academic standards.  We believe that our diocesan standards are foundational to the development and implementation of a successful education plan.  It is understood and expected that each teacher approach and implement these standards through the lens of our Catholic faith.
 
The Diocese of Kalamazoo, with a team of teachers, administrators, Directors of Religious Education (DRE), and Diocesan personnel, adapted and adopted our current Theology standards from the Diocese of Fargo.  Incorporated within the implementation of these standards is a foundation in the twelve truths, a focus on Scripture, the Saints, and the Creed.  Catholic Social Teaching and Theology of the Body are woven throughout the curriculum. There is also special attention to sacramental and prayer life.   The whole of the curriculum is designed to engage the student not only in the intellectual standards of the faith but also as an introduction to the person of Jesus.
 
The Diocese of Kalamazoo has adapted and adopted the state of Michigan’s standards for English Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science into their education plan and considers these standards to be under regular review as we consider how teachers’ instructional practice and student learning are impacted and influenced by the implementation of these standards across our school communities.
 
How does the Diocese of Kalamazoo define curriculum standards?
The Diocese of Kalamazoo defines curriculum standards as those measurable learning targets which are established within each grade that identifies the minimum that each student is expected to understand and the skills they are expected to master. 
 
Across grade levels, standards are presented in a developmentally-appropriate learning progression that supports teachers’ instructional practice; aids in the selection of learning resources/tools; and guides the integration and development of effective assessment practice.
 
How does the Diocese of Kalamazoo use standards?
The Diocese of Kalamazoo uses curriculum standards in many ways:

• To serve as a comprehensive list of instructional content that informs teachers, parents, and students of what a child is expected to learn in any given year;
• To act as a foundation for teachers’ lesson planning and assessment development;
• To track student learning within and across grade levels in any particular area;
• To show the progression of student learning within any content area;
• To inform teachers of what they can expect a classroom of incoming students to know at the beginning of any school year;
• To identify what a student is expected to understand and the skills they should be able to demonstrate when the learning target has been achieved.  This student learning is then reflected in our Standards Based Report Cards.