At Jordan Catholic every child flourishes in an environment of academic challenge and spiritual growth. Our school overall performs well above the national norms on standardized testing. JCS challenges students to develop the knowledge, skills, and work habits to succeed. To that end, the entire JCS community is committed to helping each student discover, and realize, his or her potential. It is our goal to give all students the unique opportunity to be educated in a safe, structured, and Faith-based learning environment.

Faith Education -Sacramental Program

Reconciliation - 2nd Grade
In second grade our students prepare for two sacraments, Reconciliation and the Eucharist. The entire second quarter is spent learning about and preparing for the sacrament of Reconciliation. Teachers instruct the children using the text, videos, and a presentation by one of the parish priests. Parents help in the preparation by reviewing each chapter with their child as it is completed. There are parent meetings and follow-up activities in each parish. Each child receives the sacrament of Reconciliation at a communal penance service in their own parish in either February or March.

First Communion - 2nd Grade
Preparation for the sacrament of the Eucharist begins in January and continues through the end of the school year. Teachers use the text, supplemented with videos and a Mass booklet, helping the students to learn about the Eucharist and the parts of the Mass as well. Parents help by reviewing each chapter with their children. The classes have a special bread-baking session just before the children receive their First Holy Communion. Parent meetings are held to explain the details involved in each parish's First Communion celebration. All First Communion celebrations are held in late April or early May. Seton has a special school Mass in honor of our First Communicants later in May.

Confirmation - 8th Grade
In eighth grade our students prepare for and receive the sacrament of Confirmation. In this sacrament they are given the opportunity to seal the gift of faith given to them by their families at Baptism. They are instructed using a supplemental text, videos, and discussion. One of our goals is to help the students take ownership of their faith. Another is to realize the responsibility they have as Christians to serve as Jesus did. Therefore service hours are part of the Confirmation program. Many opportunities for service to the church and community are presented to the students to choose from. Parent meetings are held to inform parents and students regarding the details of the Confirmation ceremony in their own parish.

Math Curriculum

The Jordan math curriculum is aligned with Illinois Learning Standards Incorporating the Common Core for Mathematics. Teachers use a variety of resources to implement these standards. In grades kindergarten through 4th, students use workbooks from the Eureka Math Program. This curriculum is intelligently designed to teach math as a coherent body of knowledge that follows the proper learning progressions required for true math fluency. Parents play a crucial role in their child’s learning. Eureka has assembled a suite of resources that will help parents support their child in becoming proficient in math. In grades 5th through 8th, students use textbooks from the Sadlier-Oxford Math Series. In 8th grade Algebra, students use a textbook from the Glencoe Math Series.

To help our students improve their ability to efficiently solve problems using basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, Jordan has implemented several practices in addition to our regular math curriculum.

Teachers use a variety of math resources and programs to enhance the math curriculum. Students may use interactive programs Freckle, IXL, Xtra Math and Mountain Math depending on their class.

Language Arts Curriculum

The Jordan language arts curriculum is aligned with Illinois Learning Standards Incorporating the Common Core for Language Arts. Teachers use a variety of resources to implement these standards. In grades Kindergarten through 5th, students use textbooks from the McGraw Hill Wonders series. In 6th, 7th and 8th grades, students use textbooks from the Glencoe Literature Series and Voyages English Series.

Jordan Catholic School's language arts program integrates the five components of a balanced literacy program into reading and writing. Teachers begin in our preschool, prekindergarten, and kindergarten programs to lay the foundation of the components, which include phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. In grades PreK through 2nd grade, students learn from Wonders Fundations to practice foundational skills in phonics and phoenimic awareness. As the student continues through their academic career, emphasis is placed on engaging the learner in independent reading for both purpose and pleasure. These reading skills and strategies are taught in formats such as whole and small group instruction, read-alouds, guided reading, shared reading, independent reading, spelling, and word study.

Teachers use language arts formative assessment regularly in order to monitor individual student's progress. This allows the teacher to identify the language arts strengths and weaknesses of each individual student. The teacher can ascertain the student's needs and focus on providing instructional strategies to help the student in the growth process and in attaining their goals.

An emphasis on writing is also incorporated into our language arts framework, which includes teaching the processes, the skills of writing, the traits of effective writing, the characteristics of the different writing genres, and eventually, independent writing. The teachers allow time regularly each week for both formal and free writing. 

It is important to remember that reading and writing develop along parallel paths. Because of this, integration of reading and writing into all other subject areas is possible.

A reading resource teacher on staff is available to provide reading intervention services as needed.

Jordan also offers an  English Language Learner (ELL) program for children whose first language is not English. These students acquire practical academic vocabulary and comprehension skills with emphasis on reading and writing.

Science Curriculum

The Jordan science curriculum is aligned with the Illinois Learning Standards for Science. Teachers use a variety of resources to implement these standards. In grades kindergarten through 6th, students use textbooks from the McGraw Hill Inspire Science Series. In 7th and 8th grades, students use textbooks from the Glencoe Science Series. Our middle school houses two science labs for experiments and a computer lab for analysis of data, research, and communication.

The Jordan science curriculum offers students an opportunity to explore a variety of science topics through scientific inquiry, hands-on experiences, use of technology, and other exciting activities. These methods help students develop science process skills such as the ability to ask questions, make detailed observations and connections, and draw conclusions. Through the use of appropriate instruments, electronic equipment, computers and networks, students are able to perform experiments, analyze data, and communicate results. These skills help students connect what they learn to the real world and encourage them to explore the curiosities around them using an active problem solving approach.

Social Studies Curriculum

The Jordan Social Studies curriculum is aligned with the Illinois Social Science Standards.  Teachers use a variety of resources to incorporate these standards into their curriculum.  

In grades K-3, students use Scott Foresman People and Places. Many coordinating math and reading concepts are included in our curriculum. In grades 4th through 8th, students use textbooks from the McGraw Hill Impact Social Studies, World History and US History series. The content includes early United States history, Geography, Ancient Civilizations for 5th and 6th, and in 7th and 8th the content includes the Creating of our Nation, the Division of our Nation, United States Constitution, Illinois Constitution, Change and Conflict, and America in the Modern Era. 

The Social Studies curriculum offers students an opportunity to explore a variety of topics through hands-on experiences, use of technology, and other activities. These methods help students develop skills such as the ability to understand, interpret and relate to the world around them, which encourages all students to understand the how and why of current events.

Technology Curriculum

The Jordan technology curriculum is aligned with the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) and the Peoria Diocese Technology Curriculum. Teachers use a variety of resources to implement these standards.

All grade level classrooms are equipped with interactive screens that are used by teachers and students. Educational software, office applications, creativity and multimedia resources are used appropriately at each grade level. Jordan uses chrome books that bring digital education in to the classroom. The mobile devices are used with the wireless network and contain many educational apps from curricular areas to enhance the students' learning. Elementary and Middle School students use Google Suite for Education technology tools to produce, publish and collaborate on their work.

The Jordan technology curriculum provides a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations. Students use technology tools to enhance learning, increase productivity, and promote creativity. A variety of media and formats are used by students to communicate information and ideas effectively to various audiences. Students apply technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a variety of sources. Technology resources are used for solving problems and making informed decisions to real world problems. Students develop an understanding of ethical, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and its safe use.

Technology has forever changed not only what we need to learn, but the way we learn. Simply being able to use technology is no longer enough. Today's students need to be able to use technology to analyze, learn, and explore. Digital age skills are vital for preparing students for high school, college, workforce training, and life in a technological society.

Physical Education Curriculum

The Physical Education program at Jordan Catholic School is developed for optimum growth. Through psychomotor, cognitive, and effective learning domains we have developed an instructional program that helps student achieve optimum development. Skill development, social development, positive self-concept, personal values, physical fitness, and recreational activities are all a part of the overall program. Grading of Physical Education is based on sportsmanship, behavior, participation and skill tests.
Presidential Physical Fitness Test

In the Fall and Spring, students in grades second through fifth will complete the Presidential Physical Fitness Test. Students in sixth through eighth will complete the test in the spring. Students who score above the 85th percentile on all five tests receive the Presidential Physical Fitness Award.

Art Curriculum

Music Curriculum