As a Catholic school, the faith development and character education of our children is devoted to enriching students’ lives and preparing them to lead lives of significance. Lessons on faith and values anchor everyday life.
Starting in Montessori, we invite our parents and students to share family experiences, customs, food, language, and artifacts with our curious students, and enjoy celebrating the many faiths here at The Woods Academy. In Grade 1, formal religion classes begin. Students explore a range of topics, from the foundations of Catholic theology to the traditions and faiths of other religions. Students learn the value of inclusiveness, as they celebrate the heritage of other faiths.
We teach our students about different faith traditions for a variety of reasons, including:
- Educational Enrichment: It can inspire a lifelong curiosity about the world and its various cultures.
- Global Awareness: It prepares children to be global citizens with a more comprehensive understanding of the world.
- Cultural Understanding: It fosters respect for people of various backgrounds and beliefs, reducing stereotypes and prejudice.
- Tolerance and Respect: It encourages empathy and understanding, promoting a more inclusive and harmonious society.
- Interpersonal Skills: It helps develop strong interpersonal skills, as they learn to communicate effectively with individuals who may hold different beliefs.
- Open-mindedness: It helps children appreciate the richness and complexity of human belief systems, promoting open dialogue and acceptance.
- Conflict Resolution: It teaches children to navigate and resolve differences peacefully, promoting harmony in both personal and societal relationships.
- Personal Growth: It may help children develop a stronger sense of their own beliefs and values in the context of a larger, multicultural world.
At The Woods Academy, we celebrate different faiths throughout the year, including:
- Hanukkah in the Montessori classroom, inviting parents to share a story, light the Menorah and more.
- Diwali is celebrated in Montessori where students participate in activities and learn more about this celebration through reading.
- Grade 1 and 2 students learn about how Christmas is celebrated around the world through a morning of lessons and hands-on activities.
- Middle School religion classes study the Old Testament and discover how the early Christian Church has deep roots in Judaism.
- World Language classes incorporate lessons and activities about Dia de los Muertos, Dia de los Reyes Magos, Carnaval, and Mardi Gras, celebrations based on religious beliefs of Spanish-speaking and French-speaking cultures.
Students explore these celebrations and traditions in all their classes, not just in their religious studies. They find the root of the celebrations and faiths meaningful, and we encourage them to discuss their own faith traditions openly and proudly.