1st - 8th Grade Academics

At St. Vincent Ferrer School, we are dedicated to educating the whole child. Our academic programs provide students with diverse opportunities for growth, emphasizing hands-on, inquiry-based, and project-based learning experiences that inspire curiosity and engagement.

Our robust and rigorous curriculum is informed by the Illinois State Board of Education and the Office for Catholic Schools (OCS) of the Archdiocese of Chicago. For kindergarten through eighth grade, OCS Benchmarks, which are dissected Common Core State Standards, serve as the foundation of our English Language Arts and Mathematics curricula.

English Language Arts

Teachers utilize a combination of curricular resources to design English Language Arts instruction based on small group work, collaboration, making connections, and reflection. We prioritize fostering a love of reading and writing in our students, realizing that those two subjects go hand in hand.

Mathematics

Our Mathematics instruction focuses on engaging students in problem-solving activities emphasizing the process of solving a problem, rather than solely on the solution obtained. Writing in math is a priority for us and students are taught to effectively explain their reasoning through modeling and support. Teachers are able to assess this using math journals and constructed short responses.

Science

Next Generation Science Standards guide the SVF science curriculum. Our curriculum is designed to prioritize inquiry, investigation, and active student engagement. Instructional units are chosen carefully to provide students the opportunity to delve deeply into each concept, encouraging more robust understanding. Teachers also design hands-on science experiences that allow every student to engage with materials with familiarity.

Religion

St. Vincent Ferrer’s religion instruction is informed by the Archdiocesan standards, The themes for our younger students focus on God’s love and stories from the Bible, while our older students spend time learning about Catholic doctrine. Our second-grade students are prepared for the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion. Our eighth-grade students spend the year studying to be confirmed in the Catholic Church. Students attend weekly mass with the Parish, which emphasizes two of our most important Dominican tenets- community and prayer.

Spanish

our Spanish program begins in Prek-3 and continues through 8th grade, fostering language development and cultural appreciation from an early age. Through engaging lessons, students build vocabulary, communication skills, and a deeper understanding of the Spanish-speaking world.

Art

Our art program encourages creativity and self-expression as students explore various mediums and techniques. Students develop their artistic skills while learning to appreciate the beauty and power of visual art. Students are recognized based on their performance, participation, and skills and receive acknowledgement with a Student Artist of the Month Certificate.

Library

Our library program inspires a love for reading and lifelong learning. Students enjoy access to a wide range of books, develop research skills, and participate in activities that nurture imagination and critical thinking. The library is available for all students.

Music

Our music program sparks creativity and a love for the arts through singing, rhythm, and instrument exploration. Students discover various musical styles, learn to play different instruments, and build an appreciation for the power of music.

Physical Education

Our physical education program promotes health, teamwork, and confidence through engaging activities and skill-building exercises. From Prek-3 to 8th grade, students stay active while developing coordination, sportsmanship, and a lifelong appreciation for fitness.

History

At SVF, our history classes go beyond textbooks to bring the past to life! Through engaging lessons, interactive projects, and thoughtful discussions, students explore the events, people, and ideas that have shaped our world. By connecting the past to real-world experiences, we inspire students to become informed, active citizens who appreciate the rich story of humanity.

Extended Care Program

At SVF, we understand the needs of busy families. Our Before Care and After Care programs provide a safe, nurturing environment where students can start and end their day with engaging activities and supervised play.

• Before Care: Opens at 6:50am, ensuring a smooth start to the school day.

• After Care: Available until 6:00pm, offering structured activities, and time to complete homework.

This program is designed to support working parents while giving students a comfortable and enriching experience outside regular school hours.

Before & After Care Rates

Before Care (6:50am - 7:50am) : $35/week or $7/day

After Care Opt. A (3:00pm - 4:30pm) : $40/week or $8/day

After Care Opt B. (3:00pm - 6:00pm) : $70/week or $16/day

To sign up for before or after care please contact our office :

office@svfschool.org | (708) 771-5905

Student Support Services

SVF provides resources to students needing additional academic and/or emotional support, as well as students with identified learning difficulties represented by an individualized learning plan.

Speech Teacher & School Counselor Available for all grade levels.

Once students have been identified, support staff (including our school counselor and speech teacher) work closely with classroom teachers to provide interventions within the classroom, small group settings, and individualized instruction.

Student Community Outreach

At SVF we prioritize student service, emphasizing what students can do themselves to help their neighbor. Starting in fourth grade, students are required to complete Friar Hours, which increase each year and end with our eight graders expected to complete twenty hours by graduation. In addition to Friar Hours, our students participate in many other service opportunities, such as:

Collecting Pop Tabs for Ronald McDonald House
Beyond Hunger Food Drives
Raising Money & increasing awareness for Breast Cancer Research
Collecting supplies for Sarah's Inn - a women's shelter
Raising funds for Pennies for Patients for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Little Friars Program

Early Childhood

Enrollment Page

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