Enrollment Overview

Corpus Christi School’s curriculum meets the Educational Guidelines of the Archdiocese of Newark as well as the New Jersey State Standards. This process ensures that a consistent, clearly articulated curriculum infused with Gospel values is provided to all students in the Archdiocesan schools.

Corpus Christi School incorporates Differentiated Instruction in order to meet the individual needs of students. Students work in whole class and small group instructional settings. All students are invited to engage in a multi-dimensional learning process. The 21^st Century Skills of; problem solving, critical thinking, collaboration and communication are the focal points in the instructional process.

Religion classes are taught daily and all students are expected to participate. Religion is centered on walking and living with and in Jesus Christ. It is taught not only as a subject to be learned but as a way of life to be lived that creates a strong Catholic Identity at Corpus Christi School.

Corpus Christi Preschool offers programs for both half day and full day options for our “Little Saints & Scholars”. Children who turn 3 by October 1 are eligible for our PreK-3 program and children who turn 4 on or before October 1 are eligible for our PreK-4 program.

Registration requirements: copies of the child’s birth certificate, baptismal certificate (if applicable), and a copy of the immunization and most current physical records from the pediatrician. Registration begins during Catholic Schools Week.

Formal STREAM classes are offered. Instrumental music lessons are taught for an additional fee.

For Students Entering PreK 3

While we recognize that PreK 3 will be most children’s first formal introduction to the school environment, there are some readiness skills that we feel will help children transition more successfully and smoothly into the Corpus Christi PreK 3 program as our program is academically based and not play based as some others are.

• Children must be three years old on or before October 1st

• Children must be fully potty trained (Pull-Ups are not permitted); and be able to pull up and down pants/underwear independently. In addition, children should be able to flush toilet independently

• Children should respond to first name and be able to communicate name to teachers when requested

• Make eye contact when spoken to by teachers

• Follow a basic one step direction with minimal assistance

• Age appropriate fine motor skills(will be strengthened throughout the year)

• Rudimentary idea of basic colors and shapes

• Be able to sit quietly for short periods of time i.e. while listening to a short book

• Some interaction with peers and teachers i.e. some language/communication skills in order to express basic wants and needs

• Basic knowledge of sharing, taking turns, waiting patiently, not using hands or other body parts to hurt others

• Age appropriate emotional response to various situations with minimal intense reactions

• Basic understanding of the English language

These and many other skills will be continually developed and refined throughout the school year. By working together and supporting each other, we hope your child’s first school experience will be a memorable one!

For Students Entering PreK 4

While we recognize that PreK 4 may be children’s first formal introduction to the school environment, there are some readiness skills that we feel will help children transition more successfully and smoothly into the Corpus Christi PreK 4 program. 

• Children must be four years old on or before October 1st

• Potty Trained: minimal accidents and no help needed in bathroom, able to get dressed

• Ability to follow simple verbal directions (at least 2-3 steps) independently

• Follow daily routine, follow along with step by step directions

• Completes age-appropriate tasks with minimal assistance

• Sit, attend, and participate in short group activities

• Interacts with peers and adults (not just parroting), eye contact

• Basic social skills: sharing, taking turns, separating from grown-ups

• Language Skills: express needs/wants, continually expanding vocabulary, answer simple questions in sentences (4 words or more), ex: How was your day? What did you do in school? What do you think will happen next?, communicate with teachers and peers, can explain simple reasoning, can be assessed by teachers to display progress in classroom setting

• Appropriate emotional response to various situations, demonstrates self-control and emotional regulation

  • Shows respect for peers, teachers, and classroom routines

  • Accepts re-direction and feedback from teacher

• Hold a pencil/crayon properly, manipulate small toys/objects

• Demonstrates coordination in structured movement activities

• Walk up and down stairs switching feet (PreK 3)

• Spatial awareness and control of large muscles

• Recognizes MOST uppercase letters and letter sounds (PreK 3)

• Demonstrates understanding of print concepts (front of book, reading left to right)

• Recognizes MOST numbers 0-10 and counts to 10 using 1 to 1 correspondence (PreK 3)

• Compares quantities (more/less, bigger/smaller)

• Knowledge of basic shapes, colors, and basic patterns

• Attempts to write name on own (at least be able to trace) (PreK 3)

• Shows curiosity, problem-solving, and emerging critical-thinking skills

• Works cooperatively in small groups

• Manages personal belongings

• Transitions smoothly between activities

• Participates in imaginative/pretend play

• Knows right and wrong, yes and no

As stated on page 14 of the handbook, all new students, or any student that required summer school for a failed yearly average the previous year, will go through a 90 day probationary period during the first trimester of the school year.  The school reserves the right to dismiss a student if he/she does not show an adequate effort towards the academic and/or disciplinary expectations of the school. 

Corpus Christi School offers a full day Kindergarten program for children that must be 5 years of age on or prior to October 1. Our Kindergarten students are engaged in academic, spiritual, social, and physical enrichment activities that prepare them for the 1st grade and beyond.

Classes include all of the major subjects including: Reading, Phonics, Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and Religion.

Formal Music, Physical Education, Art, and STREAM classes are offered. Instrumental music lessons are taught for an additional fee.

There is no perfect formula to determine if a child is ready for Kindergarten. However, if a child has acquired the skills listed below and will be five years old on or before October 1st, the child is most likely ready for kindergarten. Preschool before Kindergarten is also a helpful and beneficial readiness tool.

A child who is entering Corpus Christi School Kindergarten program should be able to:

● Pay attention for short periods of time

● Follow directions

● Display self control

● Begin and finish a task

● Share with others and take turns

● Play with friends in a respectful manner

● Recognize authority figures and follow rules

● Understand that actions have causes and effects

● Use the bathroom independently

● Button, Snap and Zip Clothing

● Cut with child scissors

● Color in the lines with crayons

● Speak in complete sentences

● Listen and comprehend a story

● Recall details from a story

● Retell a simple story

● Look at a picture and describe what is happening in it

● Recognize shapes, colors and their name.

● Sort objects by color size and shape

● Count groups of one to twenty objects

● Count to twenty orally

● Recognize and write numbers 1-10

● Recognize most numbers 11-20

● Write first and last name

● Recognize and write all alphabet letters

● Know the sounds of all alphabet letters

● Identify beginning and ending sounds of words

Please remember that what a Kindergarten teacher wants to see most on the first day of school is a happy child who is eager to learn.

As stated on page 14 of the handbook, all new students, or any student that required summer school for a failed yearly average the previous year, will go through a 90 day probationary period during the first trimester of the school year.  The school reserves the right to dismiss a student if he/she does not show an adequate effort towards the academic and/or disciplinary expectations of the school. 

Corpus Christi School is a vibrant Catholic Institute with a large and diverse student population. As a Roman Catholic school, Corpus Christi exists to guide its students toward the realization of their God-given potential. Corpus Christi educators teach students to recognize and develop their unique gifts by inspiring them to love learning, to serve others and to seek God through Jesus Christ and his Church.

Classes include all of the major subjects including: Reading, Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and Religion.  Handwriting, Phonics and Spelling is taught to several of the younger grades.

In our commitment to meet individual needs, Corpus Christi offers 7^th and 8^th grade students either Pre-Algebra or Algebra I classes for those who qualify.

Formal Music, Physical Education, Art, and STREAM classes are offered. classes are offered to grades 5-8. Instrumental music lessons are taught for an additional fee.

As stated on page 14 of the handbook, all new students, or any student that required summer school for a failed yearly average the previous year, will go through a 90 day probationary period during the first trimester of the school year.  The school reserves the right to dismiss a student if he/she does not show an adequate effort towards the academic and/or disciplinary expectations of the school.