St. Vincent Ferrer School Students graduate well equipped to excel in secondary education and beyond.

Our students generally test 2 full grade levels higher than their same age peers in other less demanding school environments.

St. Vincent Ferrer Curriculum Guidelines are  based on the Sunshine State Standards of Florida. These standards are the fundamental learning blocks for all schools within the Diocesan school system.  All textbooks and resources are carefully chosen and reviewed based on the these standards.

The Sunshine State Standards identify what Florida school students should know and be able to do during each of four grade clusters that represent developmental levels: PreK-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12. They describe students' learning in the subject areas of language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, music, visual arts, theatre, dance health physical education, and foreign languages.

Click links below to go to the section listed.

Curriculum Guidelines

Writing Evaluation

National Testing

Accelerated Reading Program

High School Credit

Grading Policy

National Junior Honor Society

St. Vincent Ferrer Curriculum Guidelines are  based on the Sunshine State Standards of Florida.

These standards are the fundamental learning blocks for all schools within the Diocesan school system.

All textbooks and resources are carefully chosen and reviewed based on the these standards.

The Sunshine State Standards identify what Florida school students should know and be able to do during each of four grade clusters that represent developmental levels: PreK-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12. They describe students' learning in the subject areas of language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, music, visual arts, theatre, dance health physical education, and foreign languages.

The State of Florida Educational standards may be reviewed

by clicking the following link - Sunshine State Standards

Grade Level Curriculum Guides

(Links by grade level below open in new window)

Read more about Pre-K structure click here

Criterion Online Writing Evaluation Program

The Criterion writing service is a Web-based application that evaluates a student's writing skills and within seconds provides score reporting and diagnostic feedback in the form of holistic score and diagnostic annotations within each essay that guides instruction for Grades 5-8. For more information on Criterion Online Writing visit www.ets.org/criterion.

Riverside National Testing

The Diocesan-testing program consists of the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT). It appraises the level and pattern of cognitive development of students in Grades 2-8. The test measures both general and specific cognitive abilities. The development of these abilities, which starts at birth and continues through early adulthood, is influenced by experiences both in and out of school. These developed abilities are closely related to an individual's success in school in virtually all subjects. Test results used in planning effective instructional programs, and in combination with other relevant information about the students can be used to enhance student's chances of success in learning.

Accelerated Reading Program

The Language Arts Coordinator and the Media Specialist are responsible for the Accelerated Reader Program throughout the school; specifically in grades 1-8.

The Star Diagnostic Test is administered to determine the reading level of students in the Accelerated Reader Program. It is given several times per year during the first and second semesters. It is also used to rule out reading deficiencies, or if necessary, identify students who require tutoring or further investigation and reassessment.

Each grade is assigned a monthly quota that each student must achieve. The achievement of this quota will be reflected in the student's reading average.

Following is the list of test titles that our school uses for the Accelerated Reader (AR) program. The books are in alphabetical order by reading level, title and author. Our school has adopted the new ATOS readability formula of determining reading level; this formula analyzes the entire content of each book, not merely a few passages. With the school's new Renaissance Learning software program, students are able to choose books from other sources in addition to the St. Vincent Ferrer School Media Center.

(Links by grade level below open in new window)

High School Credit

All eighth grade students are required to take Algebra I. All students achieving a "C" or better will earn high school credit.

Two sections are offered: Algebra I and Honors Algebra I.

Selection for Honors Algebra I is based on the student's 7th grade Riverside Math score results, 7th grade math grade and teacher recommendation.

Students are informed in August regarding placement.

Grading Policy

Grades PK-1:

Students will be given a report cart which tells the parent(s) more than a single mark can convey. Twice a year, portfolios with examples of a student's work will be reviewed when parents meet with teachers for a conference. The other quarters a written progress report will be used.

Grading Scale for Grades 2-8:

A = 90 - 100

B = 80 - 89

C = 70 - 79

D = 60 - 69

F = 59 or below

Principal's List - Grades 5-8:

All A's in all core and minor subject areas:
    Core - English, Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, Religion
    Minors - Art Music, Physical Education, Computer Science Education, Spanish

Honor Roll - Grades 5-8:

At least 3 A's in core subject areas and B (or above) in remaining subjects.

National Junior Honor Society

St. Vincent Ferrer School has an active chapter of the National Junior Honor Society. Established in the spring of 2010, the objective of this chapter is to create an enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote worthy leadership, and to encourage the development of character in all students at St. Vincent Ferrer. To this end, the NJHS hosts several service projects each year for the benefit of the school and community. Students are selected for membership based on their scholarship, service, leadership, and character.

Seventh and eighth graders who have attended St. Vincent Ferrer School for at least one semester and have a 3.5 or higher cumulative GPA are eligible to be considered for admission to NJHS. Students wishing to join the Society are required to present information made available to them by the coordinator in the appropriate time frame. At eighth grade graduation, members of NJHS are recognized with a white sash worn with the graduation gown.