In our gender separate environments on a co-ed campus, we follow the Integral Formation® educational philosophy of the Legionaries of Christ and Regnum Christi, which strives to develop the spiritual, intellectual, human, and apostolic dimensions of the whole person. Integral Formation® is a comprehensive method and practice of teaching for developing authentic Catholic leaders in schools worldwide. The Highlands School is a member of Regnum Christi Education, a global network of over 1,000 schools with 7 here in the United States. A Regnum Christi school is a Christ-centered educational community of excellence, focused on the integral formation of its students, offering an experience of joy that comes from encountering Christ and becoming apostles eager to exercise their Christian leadership with a spirit of mission, helping the Church build Christ’s Kingdom, impact culture and transform society. The Highlands has a staff of 10 full time religious men and women whose focus is the personalized character and spiritual development of each student. We have a clear and enthusiastic Catholic identity, yet lived in a way that families from other faiths feel at home. We incorporate the truth about who God is and how we should relate to Him and to each other into our daily lives at school. A student's mind is formed in the discovery of what is True. Your child will be encouraged to exercise each facet of his intellect through analysis, synthesis, relation, and expression. At The Highlands School, we educate students to have the mind of a leader: one who not only discovers Truth but can also communicate, convince and lead others to the truth. Spiritual Formation provides the opportunities for a child to develop a close and personal relationship with God. This occurs in a spiritual environment that encourages the life of grace through daily prayer and practice of virtues, opportunities for sacraments, and theology classes that study the fullness of Catholic faith in all its richness. Character Formation focuses on forging integrity, which is the foundation of joy. This is done through developing leadership skills, forming habits of virtue, and fostering personal responsibility and convictions. Human formation is intended to make your child a man or woman of principle, a true leader, an asset for today, and a necessity for the world of tomorrow. Apostolic Formation is being an apostle for Christ. Apostolic formation at The Highlands School means fostering a noble and generous heart towards God and others. As apostles for Christ we respond to the spiritual and human needs of others and inspire them to do the same. The Highlands School recognizes that each child is a gift from God. As such, we strive to instill virtues, academic, and character formation in a developmentally appropriate way to provide a strong foundation for Christian leadership skills to grow. Our Pre Kindergarten (PK3 / PK4) program has high academic standards but is flexible to meet the needs of each child at his or her developmental stage. We also incorporate adapted Montessori instruction to teach practical life skills such as pouring, washing, cleaning, and polishing. The curriculum also seeks to develop their fine motor skills to enhance the manual dexterity necessary for activities such as cutting and writing. We also offer physical education, music, and library visits each week. Students engage in arts and crafts, dramatic play, and hands-on learning. Students utilize two outdoor play areas several times a day to enhance their gross motor and social skills. PK4 students participate in public speaking events such as All Saint's Day and our nativity program during the advent season. We teach students the importance of giving by collecting socks, scarves, and coats as an apostolic project. Students attend Mass once a week. Our PK program offers classes for children ages three to five. Children must be age 3 by September 1 to begin PK3 and age 4 by September 1 to begin PK4. Respectively, our Kindergarten students must be age 5 by September 1. In this distinctive learning environment at The Highlands School, students know they are safe and loved, and thus feel secure enough to begin--even at age 3--to explore and gain self-confidence in their God-given talents. It is the perfect entry point to prepare for the rigorous academic life that leads to a successful Highlands graduate. Our highly qualified teachers utilize a variety of teaching methods to work with each child and help them reach their own personal best. Instruction happens in large groups, small groups, one on one, through intentional centers, and the general flow of our day. Our class size allows us to give personal attention to each child. By working in small groups, our teachers are able to teach to many different levels; thus, ensuring that all students’ academic needs are being met. Our curriculum includes, but is not limited to: Catholic Formation - attributes of God, love of Jesus, Old and New Testament Bible stories, and liturgical events/ holidays Language Arts – letter recognition/phonics, beginning reading skills, speaking/listening skills, handwriting, and sentence structure Math – number recognition/concepts, shapes, counting concepts, beginning addition/subtraction, fractions, time, money, and calendar concepts Science – space, earth science/plants, water, life science/animals, and concepts of the scientific process Social Studies – historical figures, patriotic themes, and geography Technology— integrated use of ipads and interactive whiteboards The elementary years are a time of growth and development for your child during which many lifelong habits and attitudes are established. Regardless of the subject or activity, nurturing a positive self-concept and cultivating a love and enthusiasm for learning are crucial during these formative years. This is why, at The Highlands School, we pay special attention to the unique talents, temperament, and circumstances of your child. Small class sizes and a family-like atmosphere allows your child to receive a genuine education in response to his or her strengths and needs. In addition to daily instruction in all core content areas, including religion, students receive weekly instruction in special classes such as Art, Music, Library, and Physical Education. We value the fine arts and teachers encourage fine art opportunities through specialists and within the contained classroom environment. We begin instruction in Latin in the fourth grade to enhance overall language skills acquisition in preparation for college. Technology is integrated into instruction via the use of our mobile ipad carts and in some classrooms the use of an interactive whiteboard. Students will regularly use iPads to access class information online and to complete supplementary learning activities in several subject areas. Our students attend Mass once per week and have regular opportunities to participate in sacraments and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Students in second grade prepare to receive First Reconciliation and First Communion. Formation classes begin in fourth grade for boys and girls. We believe that in the formation of the full person, opportunities to build skills and foster talents should be provided inside and outside of the classroom. We strive to offer opportunities for our students to grow in faith, academics and as individuals. Junior Great Books Robotics Grandparents Day/End of Year Program (K) Enrichment Program Spelling Bees Reading Restaurant (Grade 1) Thanksgiving Square Writing Competition Math Competition Living Museum of History (Grade 2) Precious Pearls Virtue Program Prose and Poetry Contest Science Fair (Grade 3) Formation Accelerated Reader Texas Museum (Grade 4) Apostolic class projects Field Trips We Love Shakespeare (Grade 5) Cherub Choir Altar Servers Drama-Musicals Math Club Nativity and Christmas Sing Along Field Days YMCA Parent Led Spots Teams Dallas Parochial League Sports (Grade 5) Private Schools Interscholastic Competition - We rank in the top 10 in Texas DCATS - DeBusk Enrichment Center for Academically Talented Students (3rd - 5th summer program) The middle school at The Highlands School uses an approach that cultivates the skills needed for high school in an atmosphere that supports, teaches, and demands individual responsibility, critical thinking and internalized discipline. The combination of small class size, gender specific courses, a balanced and academically challenging curriculum, as well as a formative environment, helps prepare well- rounded individuals for a demanding college-prep high school program. Students learn Classical Latin to enhance their overall language skills acquisition in preparation for college and develop an understanding of Roman Civilization. Our math curriculum is aligned to prepare all students to take Algebra I during their eighth grade year. Our middle school students participate in a robust fine arts program that includes visual arts and performing arts. Technology is integrated in the sixth grade with the use of iPads. In seventh and eighth grade, students receive a Windows 10 laptop/ tablet that enhances access to class information and to complete supplementary learning activities. Four days a week, from 3:20 to 4:00 pm, students have the opportunity to attend Academic Support. Teachers provide supervision and support for all students in a study hall type setting. This time gives students the one-on-one support needed for success, to have questions answered and begin homework in a supervised setting. Teachers are able to check in with students and provide them with individual assistance as needed. Students attend Mass once a week, daily Communion service, have the opportunity of weekly Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and regular opportunities for the sacrament of Confession. Boys and girls engage in weekly formation classes and participate in various retreats throughout the year. We believe that in the formation of the full person, opportunities to build skills and foster talents should be provided inside and outside of the classroom. We strive to offer opportunities for our students to grow in faith, academics and as individuals.