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Curriculum Standards

We invite you to explore the curriculum standards used within Catholic schools in the Diocese of Grand Rapids. Parents are the primary educators of their children, and our Catholic schools support parents in the process of fully forming each child in mind, body and soul. These curriculum standards reflect how our Catholic faith informs instruction across all content areas and grade levels. These curriculum standards were adopted in 2018, and the theology curriculum framework was updated in 2020.

The curriculum framework is structured to be comprehensive in scope. There are three parts: encountergrow, and witness. Throughout students’ experiences in our Catholic schools, they are provided with intentional moments to encounter Jesus Christ through activities such as participating in Mass, receiving the sacraments, and acts of service. Students grow in their understanding of Church teaching in all subject areas, including a renewed rigor in their understanding of Catholic theology. They are also empowered to witness God’s love to the world. The three parts of the paradigm are not intended to be steps in a sequence, but an integrated framework throughout a student’s experience, rooted in the pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. This paradigm leads the faithful into a life of discipleship.

It is the intention that this framework for cultivating opportunities to encounter Jesus Christ will assist schools and parish faith formation in renewing their zeal and commitment for encouraging all to know, love, and serve Jesus and the Church. Read more here.

Curriculum Standards by Grade Level

Curriculum Standards by Subject

Frequently Asked Questions