St. James Catholic Church

St. James Catholic School is committed to providing academic excellence for its students from preschool through eighth grade.  Our academic success is evident in the following areas:

-- ITBS scores are consistently high

-- Eighth grade graduates are accepted into Denver’s top choice schools and continue in academic excellence with participation in the National Honor Society and National Merit Scholarship Program.

At St. James we educate the whole student; mind, body and soul.  Students are provided the highest standards in the core academic classes: religion, language arts, literature, mathematics, science, and history. The same standard of excellence is evident in the enrichment class offerings of art, technology, music, Spanish, and physical education.

St. James Catholic School offers a preschool program for both three-year-olds and four-year-olds. We offer a full day and half day schedule for both age groups. Children must have reached the appropriate age per class by October 1st. 

The curriculum encourages development of social and academic skills.  The children also participate in the enrichment classes of art, music, physical education and technology. Our preschool program offers activities which help students develop fine and gross motor abilities, imagination and creativity, listening and communication skills, and love of God, themselves, their families, teachers, and classmates.

Our Kindergarten program is available for children who have reached their fifth birthday by October 15th of the year of their enrollment. We offer a full or half-day Kindergarten experience, depending on the desires of the parents and the readiness of the student. In addition to the continuing development of socialization and communication skills, our kindergarten curriculum includes readiness programs in math and reading. We also provide exploratory experiences in religion, science, and social studies. Students also participate in scheduled art, music, physical education, and technology classes.

Students in grades 1-5 are taught in self-contained classrooms. All of the core academics are taught by a specific grade level teacher including religion, mathematics, language arts, science, and social studies.  Students are taught the fundamentals of the Catholic faith through Archdiocesan approved texts and curriculum. Students in grades 1-8 attend Mass every Friday and on Holy Days. Second grade students prepare to receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Penance.

Students of all grade levels participate in enrichment classes which include art, music, technology, Spanish and physical education. Students demonstrate individual proficiencies at grade level or above through a variety of assessment methods which include, but are not limited to, performance, project presentation, curriculum based written and oral exams, and standardized tests.

Students in grades 6-8 receive instruction in the core academic courses of religion, mathematics, science, social studies and language arts. Students travel between classes to receive instruction from a teacher who specializes in each particular content area. Grades 6-8 are required to choose from elective classes that include art, technology, Spanish, music, and physical education. These class offerings are rotated throughout the academic school year to ensure that students are able to participate in each course. Middle school students are exposed to academic rigor that will prepare them for high school.

Students in middle school participate fully in their faith formation by preparation of the liturgy, monthly visits to the Adoration Chapel, retreats, and vocational field trips. Each fall, the eighth grade class travels to Santa Fe, New Mexico and southwest Colorado for a ten day pilgrimage. Eighth graders also prepare to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.