Third & Fourth Grades

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Third & Fourth Grades

Building a Foundation for Learning

We believe that introducing a wide net of early and intensive support sets our students up to be successful both in and outside the classroom.

Pillars of the Third and Fourth Grade

Starting Early, Starting Strong

In 3rd and 4th grade, our focus with students is to ensure that they are building a strong foundation as they begin their academic careers. Students build basic skills such as reading comprehension and rudimentary math skills. Beginning with the basics also allows teachers to determine where extra support is needed and how to best provide this support either to the class as a whole or individual students.

Whole Student Approach

Our 3rd and 4th grade classrooms follow a co-teaching style that includes a teacher along with an Instructional Assistant. This allows for students to receive more individualized care from adults. In addition, our Social Work and Learning Resource Center teams offer expanded support to the 3rd- and 4th-grade students. This helps students build the foundation of social-emotional and academic tools they need to be successful in and outside of CJA.

Caring Classroom Culture

Whether it’s a scavenger hunt around CJA to help our 3rd graders get to know the school, field trips to the Museum of Science and Industry or partner work in Science class, our teachers are always finding loving and creative ways for learning to be innovative and applicable to the world around our students.

Around the Third & Fourth Grades

3rd-grade students on a field trip to the Museum of Science and Industry.

3rd- and 4th-grade girls on a field trip to the Art Institute.

3rd- and 4th-grade girls on a field trip to the Shedd Aquarium.

3rd- and 4th-grade boys on a summer field trip to the Garfield Park Conservatory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Arrival begins at 7:30am each day, where students will be given a sit-down breakfast. At 7:50am, students will transition to their first class. Throughout the school day, students will have academic courses (Math, Science, Language Arts/Reading and Social Studies) along with Art, Music and PE. Students will also eat lunch and have an afternoon snack before ending their day with their chosen co-curricular. Dismissal is at 4:05pm on Mondays-Thursdays and 2pm on Fridays.

CJA’ s programming is 11 months vs. the 10 month schedule typical in public schools. The summer session, which consists of three weeks of academic learning in July, is considered the beginning of our school year for all students. The school year resumes again in mid-August, and then ends the first week of June of the following year.

 

Each day, students can arrive starting at 7:00am and are offered a full breakfast at 7:30am before transitioning to their first class at 7:50am. During the summer session, dismissal is at 2:00pm every day. During the August-May session, dismissal is at 4:05pm, Monday – Thursday, and at 2:00pm on Fridays.

CJA teachers are continually assessing student progress.  If a student would benefit from added learning support, we tailor a plan to meet their unique needs and help them reach their potential.  Plans can include receiving added math or language arts support during a designated small group instruction time or during class, working with a volunteer tutor, or meeting with a Learning Interventionist from our Learning Resource Center. CJA also works with students with IEPs and 504 plans.  

CJA believes in caring for the whole student and mental wellness is a key piece of this care. All students participate in grade-level programming led by our social work team, including SEL (Social Emotional Learning) class. When a student would benefit from added support, our team works with that student individually or in small groups to help them navigate a specific issue or an on-going need.

Chicago Jesuit Academy admits students of all faiths and there is no religious requirement for admission.   Students attend chapel each Friday and Formation classes throughout the week. Formation classes do not follow a religious text but rather teach students how to become people for others, understanding that each person is made in the image and likeness of God.