Academic Excellence

Fully accredited by the Florida Catholic Conference, Morning Star School is dedicated to helping children with learning differences reach their full potential. Our students are diagnosed as having specific learning disabilities, ADD, communication disorders, various processing disorders, and Autism Spectrum Disorder.  We provide a full curriculum of academic subjects including reading, language, math, science, and social studies, as well as PE, music, and art.  We also offer speech and language therapy and academic enrichment.  Our students can participate in extracurricular activities such as Drum Line and Music Club, Math Lab, and various sports. Through individualized instructional and behavioral plans, we help each child develop academically, physically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.

Our academics reflect the message of the Gospel, with a focus and understanding that each student must experience a sense of accomplishment, develop an appreciation of dignity and worth, and incorporate a set of Christian values into daily life through prayer and worship.  Students are surrounded by inspiration and faith in an atmosphere of loving support that fosters a positive self-image and successful experiences. We enable each child to grow and mature as children of God

Each student is assigned to a classroom in one of the four basic divisions of the academic program. These divisions are Primary, Intermediate, Junior High and High School.  Assignment to a classroom or division is based on a variety of factors, including academic achievement, social ability, and chronological age. Students are not automatically promoted to the next classroom each year, and a student may remain in one division or one classroom for more than one year. After successfully completion of all subject areas, students may be promoted to the next division.  Students who are working on modified curriculum may also be transferred to the next program division.

Our Curriculum is Unique

Morning Star School is dedicated to helping children with learning differences become successful students and return to a regular classroom. No other school in Northeast Florida offers the services we provide. Our program teaches the same curriculum as other Catholic schools in the Diocese of St. Augustine but we offer individualized programs and adapted curriculum to fit each child’s specific learning challenge. This includes explicit individualized instruction in core classes such as reading and math, along with life and social skills training, taught by highly qualified ESE teachers, using specialized materials and instructional techniques. Our unique 12 to 1 student-teacher ratio model, taught by skilled special education teachers, uses specialized materials and instructional techniques. Our students enjoy a bright, happy and loving learning environment where they experience the joy of developing the talents God has given them.

Our curriculum reflects the message of the Gospel, with the understanding that each student must experience a sense of accomplishment, develop an appreciation of dignity and worth, and incorporate a set of Christian values into daily life, through prayer and worship.  Surrounded by a family of faith, in an atmosphere of loving support which fosters a positive self-image, the children are provided with successful experiences, thus, enabling them to grow and mature as children of God.

The curriculum of the Diocese of St. Augustine is followed and is designed to implement the following objectives:

• The development of maximum efficiency in academic areas (reading, language arts, spelling, mathematics, study skills, science, and social studies). To that end, specialized programs such as Journeys Reading Program, STAR 360 and assistive technology are used.
• The development of technological skills and the integration of these skills into all areas of the curriculum through the use of computers, laptops, IPads, Smartboards and other technology.
• The promotion of socially acceptable behavior and personal relationships.
• The development of motor skills which are closely connected with academic skills, and the promotion of good health and sportsmanship
• The promotion of spiritual and moral growth through participation in religious instruction, Liturgical services, and service projects.
• The development of emotional and social maturity

Accommodations to methods, materials and assessments as well as modifications to the curriculum will be made on an individual basis.  Modifications may affect the grade level at which students work. The guidelines of the Florida Catholic Conference and the National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Schools are followed.