Language is both a gift and a responsibility—enabling us to think deeply, communicate clearly, and witness to the Gospel. In the Catholic schools of the Archdiocese of New York, our ELA curriculum builds strong literacy skills while fostering purposeful, clear, and compassionate use of language.
Grounded in the philosophy of the National Council of Teachers of English and aligned with New York State standards, our program offers a continuum of instruction from pre-K to grade 8, developing students as readers, writers, speakers, and listeners.
Across all grade levels, the ELA curriculum is built around four key domains:
- Reading – Building fluency, comprehension, and a love of literature through diverse, engaging texts.
- Writing – Developing clear, purposeful writing with attention to structure, mechanics, and voice.
- Speaking – Communicating ideas confidently and respectfully in various settings.
- Listening – Strengthening attentive listening to promote understanding, empathy, and engagement.
Through direct instruction, rich literary experiences, and exposure to diverse genres, students gain both technical skill and an appreciation for the power of words. ELA in our Catholic schools is also faith formation—integrating values and Church teaching into analysis of sacred, classic, and contemporary texts.
We form literate, morally grounded students prepared to engage the world as articulate, thoughtful, and faith-filled individuals.