Too often, schools base their curriculum decisions on what students will be tested on in the future; unfortunately, this method of “teaching to the test” leaves critical gaps in a child’s education.
As a Catholic school, we have the unique ability to design an education specific to our students’ needs and the freedom to make changes when we see that current methods of instructions are no longer adequately preparing our students for their academic journey.
Because of our innovative approach to classroom instruction, St. Austin is routinely recognized as one of the top private schools in the Austin area by Austin Monthly and the Austin American Statesman, and was the first private school in Austin to be named a Blue Ribbon School for Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education.
Our curriculum is based on the state's curriculum standards, the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Teachers use these objectives to guide them in their overall planning and determine the proper sequencing and type of instruction for each objective. Student assessment for each objective is used to determine each student's mastery and is what is reflected through the school's grading system. Teachers use textbooks and other instructional materials to support the mastery of curriculum objectives.
The root system of St. Austin's educational approach starts with faith as the foundation and driver of our students’ spiritual growth through lived gospel values. We intentionally cultivate collaborative and trusting relationships, including creating a physically and emotionally safe learning climate. Our robust academic engagement comes about through our high caliber teaching practices and curriculum choices, and we employ personalized learning specialists to meet each student where they are academically. All the while developing the social and emotional learning capacities of students, ultimately enabling them to: regulate emotions, manage stress, empathize with others, and maintain relationships.
The branches holding up the canopy are our school values of RESPECT, DIGNITY, INTEGRITY, COMMUNITY. The canopy of the tree or the “brain” represents our Profile of a Graduate here at St. Austin. Students who graduate from St. Austin are known to be determined, character-led, courageous, empathetic, critical thinking, self-reflective, and joyful. These are the traits we are striving to cultivate in all of our students each year.
To that end, SEL is rooted in the understanding that best learning emerges in the context of supportive relationships. When kids have strong roots, they can grow, they can thrive, they can withstand the storms that life throws at them.
Three times per year we measure our students’ growth via different age appropriate assessments including: Renaissance Star (Reading & Math), Amplify mClass (DIBELS), NWEA MAP and COGAT. These assessments will compare a student’s scores with grade-level peers on the national and state levels, provide information for future instruction and curriculum planning, and provide a broad picture of our school's performance.
St. Austin Catholic School is fully accredited by the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops Education Department under the governance of the Diocese of Austin (TCCBED). Our school will maintain accreditation status through TCCBED in compliance with their scheduled accreditation cycle, requirements, and standards. St. Austin Catholic School is guided by the Diocese of Austin under the direction of the Diocese of Austin Office of Catholic Schools.