In an effort to truly “Unleash the Gospel”, Divine Child is aligned with the invigorating set of new curriculum standards released by the Archdiocese of Detroit. In religion class, students deepen their personal relationship with Jesus as they contribute to their "Disciples of Jesus Portfolios." Each grade level develops different products and pieces to showcase the journey toward unity with God. With teacher support, students select the final contents of their portfolio that provides the evidence from each grade level of their personal faith experience.

A wealth of opportunities to strengthen and deepen one’s understanding of the Catholic faith are offered. Students participate at Mass and Adoration on a weekly basis and encounter Christ in the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the school year. Students live the Light of Christ as they organize Christian service projects, assist as altar servers at Mass, lead morning prayer on the school’s broadcast system, and participate in mentor projects that stretch across grade levels. The Virtue Program is utilized at all grade levels. We work together with the parents to assure a good moral foundation is developed during these formative adolescent years.

By activating prior knowledge and using appropriate tools and strategies, students develop confidence and deepen perseverance in mathematics. Students learn different ways to model mathematical content and solve realistic problems while attending to fluency and precision. They learn the importance of providing reasoning to prove their understanding of mathematical concepts. A variety of strategies and activities are implemented to address all learners, while students collaborate with peers in a way that supports our Catholic faith and values. With the skills the students gain in middle school mathematics, they undoubtedly are proficient and enthusiastic mathematicians!

Fourth grade students focus on the regions of the United States, fifth graders study the Western Hemisphere, and sixth graders finalize world studies with the Eastern Hemisphere. Areas of focus are the history, physical geography, culture, resources, current issues and map skills. A variety of methods are utilized to engage and assess students, such as atlas work, updated textbooks, projects, technology resources, skits and Promethean board activities. Age appropriate and relevant current events are discussed in keeping with our Catholic Faith.

Our Language Arts learning environment provides the opportunity for learners to become fluent readers and critical thinkers that use comprehension skills, such as synthesizing, analyzing, inferring, making connections, providing evidence, and drawing conclusions. Application of these skills along with the utilization of grammar rules are consistently reinforced within all content areas. Students are taught how to read and write within a variety of genres. Throughout the year student become authors and have opportunities to submit poetry and essays to outside sources for publication. Students are inspired to become lifelong readers and writers.

The science program encourages students to explore the natural world using inquiry methods creating future problem solvers and community leaders. Through group collaboration students learn to participate in and facilitate discussions. Students conduct hands on experiments and activities, investigate and research science processes, principles, and phenomenon while understanding God as the center of the universe. Fourth and Fifth grade students follow an integrated science program while sixth grade students focus on Earth Science incorporating physical science. This is a time to further spark the curiosity that leads to becoming life-long learners and passionate scientists.

The fourth and fifth grade students focus on fundamental sport skills, including the rules, positions, and basic information of each sport. The sixth graders focus on advancing their sport skills, knowledge of each sport, and critically thinking in game like situations. Students incorporate their locomotor skills and motor skills into various sports. They play modified target games, invasion games, net/wall games and striking and fielding games. Students are assessed on their basic sport skills and their knowledge of basic information after every unit and through a fitness test (Fitnessgram) twice a year. Students are taught the importance of best effort, sportsmanship, communication and team building. This curriculum is taught through various sports, games, and activities. All concepts align with the national (SHAPE America) and state (SHAPE Michigan) physical education standards.

Safety and Health: The fourth and sixth graders continue with the Safety First Program that was introduced in second grade. This program is designed to help students recognize and avoid potentially dangerous situations and people. The researched based program is designed for the prevention of sexual exploitation, abduction, internet crime, drugs and school violence. The fifth graders review the Peer Mediation Program. Students who are having peer difficulties may seek assistance from our trained student Peer Mediators. A peer mediator is a student trained in Conflict Resolution and who is supervised by a staff advisor during school hours to help the students solve their difficulties. Fifth and sixth graders may be trained as Peer Mediators. All safety programs are directed by the school counselor and are presented in the context of Catholic values. Parents are notified prior to the start of the programs to help ensure reinforcement of the presented material and help in information retention.

The Divine Child Art curriculum is aligned to the National and State of Michigan standards for the visual arts. We offer a differentiated program with concentrations in drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics and art history. Students actively learn to express their creativity and develop their understanding of the arts through participation in these areas of discipline.

Students in grades 4 – 6 continue to develop their artistic vocabulary in order to participate in classroom critiques on his/her own work and the work of their peers. In the upper elementary grades, students understand and demonstrate the artistic process. A portfolio of work is developed throughout the year, and work is displayed in our spring art show.

The students are encouraged to make music and worship a joyful part of their daily lives. Students in fourth and fifth grades attend a weekly music class in which they experience all aspects of music: vocal, instrumental, and movement. Our curriculum is aligned with the national standards for music education. Fourth grade spends the majority of the year learning to play the recorder and they perform in the spring music concert each year. In addition to the weekly music class, fifth grade students have the opportunity to expand their instrumental music learning in the school band by choosing a woodwinds, brass, or percussion instrument. Students in grade 6 have the opportunity to learn or continue learning an instrument and to play and perform in the school band.

Students in grades four through six continue to build upon their previous knowledge of the Spanish language. Students focus more closely on grammar and continue to build their vocabulary. The use of audio and visual activities immerses the students in the language and encourages them to use proper pronunciation and syntax. The students also build their writing skills in the target language through continued practice. Spanish traditions and culture are also explored in order to deepen the students’ understanding of different cultures and backgrounds.

The technology curriculum focuses on creating competent, independent computer users. Through direct instruction and project based, integrated assignments, students further their understanding of a variety of basic computer skills. Keyboarding progress is part of the technology curriculum at this level and focuses on accuracy. Online typing programs are utilized to allow students to progress on an individualized pace. Students learn proper internet search techniques and web-evaluation strategies, Students are given on-line access to many of their textbooks and PowerSchool can be accessed for assignment and grade tracking. Students begin to use their skills through cooperative learning and group assignments. They learn proper electronic communication protocol, document attachment and collaboration procedures. Internet safety issues are discussed and reinforced.