
Curriculum Overview
At St. Sabina School, we are committed to providing a challenging, student-centered, and faith-filled educational experience that prepares students for academic excellence and lifelong success. Our curriculum serves students from Early Learning through 8th Grade and is aligned with the Illinois Learning Standards, the Illinois Common Core Standards for English Language Arts and Mathematics, and the Archdiocese of Chicago Curriculum Standards.
Through rigorous academics, innovative instructional practices, personalized learning, and faith formation, students develop the knowledge, skills, character, and confidence necessary to thrive in high school, college, and beyond.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Academic Excellence reflects our unwavering commitment to ensuring that every scholar receives a high-quality, equitable education in a supportive and engaging learning environment. At St. Sabina School, we believe all students can achieve at high levels when provided with the resources, support, and opportunities necessary for success.
Our goal is to equip scholars with the knowledge, critical-thinking skills, and academic foundation needed to demonstrate grade-level proficiency, exceed expectations, and become confident contributors in an ever-changing global society.
We foster a student-centered learning environment that prioritizes each child's unique strengths, interests, and learning needs through the implementation of:
Small Group Instruction
Teachers provide targeted instruction in small-group settings to address individual learning needs, reinforce key concepts, and extend learning opportunities. This personalized approach allows students to receive the support and challenge needed to achieve academic success.
Project-Based Learning
Students engage in meaningful, real-world learning experiences that encourage collaboration, creativity, communication, and critical thinking. Through project-based learning, scholars apply academic concepts to authentic situations while developing problem-solving skills and a deeper understanding of content.
Personalized Learning Pathways Through i-Ready
Students in Kindergarten through 8th Grade utilize i-Ready Reading and Mathematics, an evidence-based program that combines diagnostic assessments with personalized instruction. Based on individual performance data, students receive customized learning pathways that support growth, address learning gaps, and strengthen mastery of grade-level standards.
Data-Driven Instruction
Teachers regularly analyze student performance data to inform instruction, monitor progress, and provide timely interventions and enrichment opportunities. This approach ensures that instructional decisions are guided by each student's academic needs and growth goals.
Technology-Enhanced Learning
Students utilize educational technology tools that support engagement, innovation, collaboration, and digital literacy. Technology is integrated across the curriculum to enhance instruction and prepare students for success in a technology-driven world.
Faith and Character Development
As a Catholic school, academic excellence is complemented by a strong commitment to faith formation and character education. Students are encouraged to live Gospel values through service, leadership, respect, responsibility, and compassion for others.
At St. Sabina School, academic excellence goes beyond achievement on assessments. It is about developing confident learners, critical thinkers, faithful disciples, and future leaders who are prepared to make a positive impact in their communities and beyond.

EARLY LEARNING PROGRAM
Our Early Learning Program provides a nurturing, engaging, and developmentally appropriate environment where children build the foundational skills necessary for future success.
Aligned with the Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards (IELDS), students participate in meaningful learning experiences that support growth in:
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Language and Literacy
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Mathematics
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Science Discovery
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Social Studies
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Social-Emotional Development
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Physical Development and Health
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Creative Arts
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Faith Formation
Heggerty Phonemic Awareness
To build strong early literacy skills, students participate in daily Heggerty Phonemic Awareness lessons. This research-based program develops:
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Listening and speaking skills
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Letter and sound recognition
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Rhyming and word play
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Phonemic awareness
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Vocabulary development
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Reading readiness
Productive Play
We believe young children learn best through purposeful exploration. Our Early Learning Program incorporates Productive Play, an instructional approach that combines play-based learning with intentional academic outcomes.
Through Productive Play, students:
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Explore and discover through hands-on experiences
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Build problem-solving and critical-thinking skills
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Develop communication and collaboration skills
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Strengthen creativity and imagination
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Practice independence and decision-making
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Apply learning in meaningful and engaging ways
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS (Grades K-8)
St. Sabina School's literacy program is designed to help students become confident readers, effective writers, critical thinkers, and strong communicators.
Students receive instruction in:
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Reading Comprehension
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Foundational Reading Skills
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Vocabulary Development
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Writing Process and Composition
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Grammar and Language Conventions
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Literary Analysis
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Informational Text Analysis
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Research and Presentation Skills
i-Ready Reading (Grades K-8)
To support literacy growth, all students in Kindergarten through 8th Grade utilize i-Ready Reading, which combines diagnostic assessments with personalized instruction.
Through i-Ready Reading, students:
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Receive individualized learning pathways
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Build foundational and advanced literacy skills
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Monitor academic progress throughout the year
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Strengthen comprehension and vocabulary
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Develop confidence as independent readers
MATHEMATICS (Grades K-8)
St. Sabina School's mathematics program develops strong problem-solvers who can think critically, reason logically, and apply mathematics in real-world situations.
Mathematics Instruction (Grades K-4)
Students develop a strong mathematical foundation through instruction aligned with the Archdiocese of Chicago Curriculum Standards.
Areas of study include:
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Number Sense and Operations
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Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, and Division
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Fractions and Decimals
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Geometry
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Measurement
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Data Analysis
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Mathematical Reasoning and Problem-Solving
Mathematics Instruction (Grades 5-8)
Students build advanced mathematical understanding through instruction in:
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Ratios and Proportional Relationships
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Expressions and Equations
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Geometry
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Statistics and Probability
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Algebraic Thinking
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Functions and Mathematical Modeling
i-Ready Mathematics (Grades K-8)
All students in Kindergarten through 8th Grade utilize i-Ready Mathematics to enhance classroom learning.
Through personalized instruction, students:
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Strengthen grade-level skills
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Receive targeted support and enrichment
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Monitor growth through diagnostic assessments
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Build mathematical confidence and independence
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Develop problem-solving and critical-thinking skills
SCIENCE
Science (Grades K-4)
Students in Kindergarten through 4th Grade follow the Archdiocese of Chicago Science Curriculum and utilize Scholastic Science resources to strengthen learning through engaging texts, investigations, and real-world connections.
Students explore:
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Life Science
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Earth and Space Science
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Physical Science
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Scientific Inquiry
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Environmental Awareness
Mosa Mack Science (Grades 5-8)
Students in Grades 5-8 engage in Mosa Mack Science, a phenomenon-based curriculum that encourages inquiry, investigation, and critical thinking.
Students study:
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Life Science
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Earth and Space Science
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Physical Science
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Environmental Science
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Engineering and Design Thinking
Through real-world scientific investigations, students analyze evidence, solve problems, and think like scientists.
RELIGION (Early Learning-8th Grade)
Faith formation is central to the mission of St. Sabina School. Students in Early Learning through 8th Grade participate in a comprehensive religious education program guided by the Archdiocese of Chicago Religion Curriculum Standards.
Students learn about:
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Sacred Scripture
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Catholic Beliefs and Traditions
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Prayer and Worship
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Sacraments
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Catholic Social Teaching
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Church History
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Saints and Role Models of Faith
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Service and Christian Leadership
Students regularly participate in:
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Daily Prayer
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School Masses
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Prayer Services
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Sacramental Preparation
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Service Projects
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Liturgical Celebrations
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Faith-Based Leadership Opportunities
Our religion program encourages students to grow as compassionate, faith-filled individuals who live the Gospel values each day.
Preparing Students for Lifelong Success
Through a partnership of rigorous academics, innovative instructional programs, personalized learning, and faith formation, St. Sabina School prepares students from Early Learning through 8th Grade to become confident learners, critical thinkers, compassionate leaders, and faithful disciples ready to succeed in high school, college, and beyond.
Academic Glows

Scholars demonstrated 96% Annual Growth in Math

Scholars demonstrated 147% Annual Growth in Literacy

94% of 8th Grade scholars matriculate to quality high schools, including Catholic and CPS Selective Enrollment school.
We See You Academy (PreK and Kindergarten)
Our preschool program is an exceptional community for three—and four-year-old students, inspiring a love for learning and a strong start to their elementary school journey. We believe in an individualized approach, where every part of our preschoolers’ day presents opportunities for learning. Our teachers are equipped with the curriculum content and instructional strategies that meet each student’s unique learning and social-emotional needs. In our compassionate learning environment, our preschoolers gain the academic skills they need for success in kindergarten and beyond.
Extended Care (PreK through Age 12)
We are pleased to inform you about the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) in Illinois, which offers financial assistance to families to help cover child care costs. This program is available for scholars in Pre-K through age 12 and can assist with fees for our Extended Day Program, including before and after-school care.
Program Hours:
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Before Care: 6:30 AM
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After Care: 3:15 PM - 6:00 PM
*For more information about CCAP and how to apply, please reach out to the school office or visit the program’s official website. We encourage families to take advantage of this opportunity for support.
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Clubs & Extracurricular Activities
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Music
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Dance
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Student Voice Club
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Creative Arts
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Cheerleading
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Stock Market Program
Athletic Programs
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Basketball
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Track
