ACADEMICS
FOCUS ON THE WHOLE CHILD: MIND, BODY, SPIRIT
- National Association of Private Catholic Schools and Independent Schools (NAPCIS)
- Common Core (CCS)
- Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
- International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEAA)
PreK-3s
PreK-4s
Transitional Kindergarten
Long-lasting benefits
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Blending Montessori and Reggio Emilia in Early Childhood Education
At Our Lady of Mercy Preparatory Academy Preschool, we embrace a blended educational approach inspired by the philosophies of Maria Montessori and Reggio Emilia. We believe that young children are natural learners who thrive in environments that honor their unique interests, abilities, and developmental stages. Our goal is to create a nurturing, stimulating, and inclusive space where each child can grow with confidence, joy, and purpose.
Child-Centered Learning
Each child is seen as an active participant in their own learning journey. Inspired by Montessori, we offer opportunities for hands-on exploration, independence, and purposeful activity in thoughtfully prepared environments that encourage curiosity and a love of learning.
Emergent Curriculum
Guided by Reggio Emilia principles, our curriculum evolves from the children’s interests and questions. Teachers observe and reflect with children, designing meaningful, inquiry-based experiences that promote creativity, critical thinking, and authentic exploration.
The Role of the Teacher
Our educators serve as facilitators, guides, and co-learners. With insight from both Montessori and Reggio traditions, teachers support children’s development through careful observation, gentle scaffolding, and responsive engagement that honors each child’s voice and needs.
The Environment as the Third Teacher
We view the classroom as an active part of the learning process. Drawing from Reggio Emilia, our environments are intentionally designed to invite wonder, collaboration, and discovery. Natural materials and open-ended resources promote meaningful play and learning.
Documentation and Reflection
We make learning visible through documentation—capturing children’s thoughts, questions, and work. This process deepens reflection, supports collaboration with families, and celebrates the individuality of each learner’s journey.
Community and Collaboration
We believe learning flourishes in community. Inspired by both approaches, we nurture relationships built on respect, cooperation, and inclusion—among children, educators, and families. We celebrate diverse perspectives and create welcoming environments where every child feels seen, heard, and valued.
What's Offered:
- Full Day - 7:50am to 3:00pm
- Half Day - 7:50am to 12:00pm (PreK 3 and PreK 4 only)
- Before and Aftercare
LOWER SCHOOL (K-5th)
Foundation for education
Our students are given the tools necessary to thrive through these formative years. Our faculty strive to bring out each student’s full potential through our high rigor academics.
Student's schedules include the following classes outside of their main classroom time:
- art
- gym
- music
- Spanish
- band (grade 4 & up)
- daily recesses
- weekly library visit
- religion
UPPER SCHOOL (6th-8th)
Continuing Excellence
Our students are given the tools necessary to thrive in preparation for high school. Our faculty strive to bring out each student’s full potential through our rigorous academics.
In grades 6 through 8, students have the same set of teachers for the middle school years. This provides the opportunity to maximize a student's potential and to develop a lasting learning relationship with their teachers.
Our program offers students a schedule that includes the following classes outside of their main classroom time:
- art
- gym
- Spanish
- band/Chorus (one is required)
- daily recesses
- religion
SPECIAL CLASSES
List of Services
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ArtList Item 1
PreK - Kindergarten:
Identifying lines, shapes and colors (primary and secondary). Exploring and creating texture, collage, and printmaking. Expanding creative ways of thinking and sharing artwork with fellow students in class. Learning to use scissors, glue, paint brushes, pencils, colored pencils, and pastels. Learning through stories about Dr. Suess, Eric Carle, Vincent VanGogh, and Henri Marisse.
1st - 3rd:
Drawing from imagination and through observation, weaving paper and using fibers, learning to identify relief, mosaics, and sculptures. Learning positive and negative space and how to create a focal point. Working with realistic and abstract forms and textures. Materials to be used include markers, yarn, crayons, pastels, was resist and watercolor. Expanding creative ways of thinking and sharing artwork with fellow students in class. Studying the artwork of Faith Ringgold, Georgia O'Keeffe, Joan Miro and Jean-Michael Basquiat.
4th - 6th:
Creating intricate line designs, landscapes, and citiscapes. Learning about symmetry and asymetry, complimentary colors, and warm and cool colors. Identifying light sources and learning how to show depth of space through foreground, middleground and background. Expanding creative ways of thinking and sharing artwork with fellow students in class. Learning about the artwork of Friedensreich Hunderwasser, Edward Hopper and Henri Rousseau.
7th - 8th:
Some materials used to create art in the upper middle school include polymer clay textured relief moasics and bead, wax resist with watercolor, layering and collaging with tissue paper. Students will draw in linear perspective, build on identifying light sources and learn how to show depth of space through foreground, middlegoround and background. Students will also draw expressive portraits and study characterisitics of the modern art movements.
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Spanish
TK and Kindergarten: In TK and Kindergarten, students are introduced to Spanish language and Hispanic culture through music, stories, and interactive activities. These formative years lay the framework for a lifelong love of language learning, and build the foundation for their language acquisition journey.
1st - 3rd: In first through third grade Spanish, students broaden their language skills through storytelling and writing exercises. From practicing language mechanics to learning how to express thoughts, feelings, and ideas, students develop proficiency in a nurturing, academically challenging environment. We study a variety of Spanish speaking countries, learning about their culture and exploring their traditions.
4th - 5th: In fourth and fifth grade Spanish, students’ language proficiency grows as we explore longer texts and build language stamina. Students broaden their vocabularies, allowing them to communicate more intricate thoughts and ideas. Culture remains a forefront of our studies as we develop more complex grammar skills.
6th - 8th: Our upper school Spanish program provides a strong foundation in language skills through the study of literature, music, and a diverse range of texts. Students master a range of vocabulary and grammar skills, developing a command of the Spanish language in speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Our classes emphasize the importance of studying Hispanic cultures and history, preparing our students to be global citizens.
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Band
Grades 4th - 8th:
Students are encouraged to learn to play an instrument.
Each student enrolled in the band program will attend a thirty minute group lesson on his/her chosen instrument during the week (a pull-out from class). In addition, during the weeks approaching a concert, band students will attend 30-minute mixed ensemble rehearsals of band concert music, also during the school day. Students acquire their own books and instruments.
Instruction offered for the following:
Woodwinds (Flute, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone)
Brass (Trumpet, Trombone)
Percussion (Snare Drum, Piano)
Strings (Guitar, Ukulele, Violin)
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Religion
Religous education occurs for every grade level. Sacramental preparation (1st Reconciliation and First Holy Communion) is provided within religion class in tandem with your parish's CCD classes.
The day starts with morning prayer and we have weekly prayer services and monthly mass.
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Gym
Our goal is for students to develop the skills, knowledge, attitudes and behaviors that promote a healthy level of physical fitness and lead to a commitment to consistent, lifelong participation in physical activity.
Students will be engaged in an active, supportive, and non-threatening atmosphere where everyone, regardless of physical ability, will be challenged to achieve success through a spirit of cooperation, sportsmanship and respect for one’s self and others.
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Second Step
A holistic approach to building supportive communities for every child through social-emotional learning for students in grades Prek-8. Designed to support inclusive and equitable learning, empowering teachers to create successful learners in the classroom and beyond.