OLPH School maintains the accreditation standards of the Texas Education Agency (TEA) through the Texas Catholic Conference Education Department (TCCED). The school is a member of the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA).

We are proud to support our students by also providing:

Academic Interventionists – OLPH Catholic School is blessed to have one full-time and one part-time dedicated employee to help students who need extra educational guidance, including those diagnosed with academic or behavioral issues, such as dyslexia. The interventionists also administer tests and quizzes to those children whose accommodations require small group administering as well as oral presentation of all tests and quizzes. They read and review all testing from school districts as well as doctors that apply to students. Both interventionists write, check and support all teachers with the accommodation binders.

Counseling Services - The School Counselor provides comprehensive counseling services to all students through the guidance curriculum, individual student planning, and responsive services. The school counselor participates in the intervention team process and works closely with administration to assist students in all grades K3-8 and includes individual short-term counseling, small group counseling, parent/guardian and family consultation and faculty and staff consultation.The counselor consults with teachers, parents and staff to enhance their effectiveness in helping students, works with individuals and small groups of children toward social and emotional growth, and consults with, and trains, teachers, parents and staff regarding children’s needs. If necessary, the counselor will refer students and their parents to special programs, specialists, and outside agencies. The School Counselor maintains an office in the main school office building.

Tutoring -  Any student in grade K-8 can participate in before or after school tutoring which assists students requiring additional support, make-up or retesting, and group study opportunities. Tutoring is available in the mornings from 7:30-7:50 or after school from 3:45-5:00.

Enrichment Courses – In middle school, the daily schedule includes various enrichment courses each semester that students may choose. These courses offer a variety of ways for students to explore learning. During the 2016-2017 school year, students selected from the following course offerings: Art, Music (guitar, recorder ensemble, and hand bells), Academic Competition, Creative Writing, Community Service, Computer Applications, Computer Literacy, Introduction to Spanish I & II, Mythology, Journalism, and Yearbook. These offerings provide students with diverse choices and opportunities to excel in subject areas beyond core curriculum.

ENRICHMENT COURSE SUMMARIES 2016-2017

Academic Competition: This class will emphasize preparation for academic competitions for the entire year including PSIA, Math Counts, Math Olympiad, Central Catholic Academic bowl, and others. Students may take this course both semesters. Class size limit is 20 students.

Art: The art elements of line, shape, shading, color, texture and space are the fundamentals of this class. We will do projects for each of the elements while using different mediums such as: pencil, colored pencils, charcoal, pastels, watercolors and more. Major holidays will provide some of the themes for the projects. Class size limit is 15 students.

Art History: The study of artists and artistic techniques ranging from ancient art to modern art.,this course will provide an in depth study of art history and basic art concepts. Students will examine a variety of aspects of art history including themes and purposes of art, styles, of art. Students will work on projects according to the time period studied and/or as certain occasions arise. Notes and tests are required elements of this class. Class size limit is 20 students.

Choir/Handbells: An important part of the music ministry in the school is the enrichment choir. Regular performance leading the choral selections in liturgical celebrations will be a major component of this course. Objectives will include singing in harmonies, combining with instrumental ensembles, and working with hand bells. The choir is open for both boys and girls as students will experiment in the soprano-alto-tenor part singing format. Occasional performances outside of the school day will be required.

Community Service: This course is designed to support our school and parish service projects. Service hours cannot be acquired during school while attending this class. However, any service project requiring hours outside the school day are hours that will count towards required service hours.

Computer Applications: This course introduces the students to the fundamental concepts of computer operations and the ability to identify hardware, system and application software through the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint as tools for writing, analyzing, and presenting information. Also, there will be an emphasis on creating online and paper publications and graphics using computers. Students will demonstrate ethical and responsible use of computer technology. Class size is limited to 20 students.

Computer Literacy: The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to a broad view of computers by examining computers at different levels: from hardware and theory, to history and basic applications. Students will demonstrate ethical and responsible use of computer technology. For 6th grade students

Creative Writing: Various activities will include working with vocabulary imagery and creative ideas to produce finished projects. We will explore many types of writing ranging from poetry and essays to journalistic writing and books. Quality of writing and adherence to instructions will determine student grades. Class size is limited to 20 students.

Guitar B: Designed for beginner students or students with limited experience, this course will introduce fundamental playing techniques to prepare students for performances. A limited number of school guitars are available, but generally students should provide their own guitar with case, capo, strap, and picks. Class size is limited to 15 students. Occasional performances outside of the school day will be required. 6th grade students only

Guitar A: This course is for students who have completed the Guitar B class or have previous experience in guitar performance. Regular rehearsal and performance experiences will allow the students to develop playing technique and advanced musicianship skills. Students should provide their own guitar with case, capo, strap, and picks. Class size is limited to 15 students. Occasional performances outside of the school day will be required. 7th and 8th grade students only

Journalism: Students will explore journalism as a career and learn how to create news articles based on journalistic standards. These articles will appear in the weekly Wildcat Newsletter and students will participate in the newsletter's creation. This class provides a foundation for those wanting to take the Yearbook class. Class size limited to 20.

Mythology: Students will explore set of legends, stories or beliefs, especially ones that have a religious or cultural tradition.

Physical Education: This course provides students with exercise, health, and nutrition information, and sports performance skills. Those students interested in playing sports for the school must sign up for one of the two Athletic Physical Education classes. Required of all students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students.

Spanish - OLPH recognizes the importance of learning a foreign language and offers Spanish classes from K to 8^th grade students.  Our Spanish Teacher at OLPH is Mrs. Liliana Aponte.  Mrs. Aponte is a native Spanish speaker, who guides students throughout the learning process using songs, videos, individual and group activities.
Students in grades K through 5 learn basic vocabulary and grammar. They practice interpretive (listening and reading), interpersonal (person to person) and presentational (speaking and writing) skills that open their minds to the language.
Middle school students, 6^th to 8^th grades, have the opportunity to choose Spanish as an elective for two years and have instruction two or three times a week, depending on the schedule availability.  Spanish students in middle school not only learn vocabulary and grammar, but the culture of the Spanish speaking countries, thus giving them the tools to appreciate the diversity and understanding of the richness and the contributions of the Spanish culture to their own environment, especially here in San Antonio. OLPH Spanish students develop interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational skills which in turn enhance their foundation for the language instruction in high school.
Here at OLPH, spiritual growth is very important and the Spanish department is supporting that by teaching the students from K to 8^th grade how to pray in Spanish before every class.  Students from all grades not only learn the basic Catholic prayers, but also the Catholic traditions that are recognized in each of the cIasses. If further support is needed by any student, the Spanish department offers tutorials after school with Mrs. Aponte.
Please come and see bulletin boards around campus, there is always something that the students want to share with the community in Español. Español, español aqui aqui!

Recorder Ensemble: The recorder ensemble provides beginning students a foundation in basic playing technique as well as a review for experienced students. Sacred music will be studied through performance experience in liturgical celebrations as well as popular and classical music studies. Occasional performances outside the school day may be required. 6th grade students only

Yearbook: This course is designed to give students an introduction into the function and construction of a school yearbook. Students will be responsible for taking pictures, designing the layout, and promoting the sale of our yearbook. Students must be self-motivated and have good computer skills. Limited to 20 students. 8th grade students only.