Unique Features of our School

Mission
In an effort to prepare our students for the scientific and technological demands of the twenty-first century, St. Agatha has made Science and Technology a focus within our Kindergarten through Eighth grade (K - 8) curriculum. This initiative became a reality in 2011 with the newly opened Fr. Slider Steuernol Science and Technology Wing located on our second floor. The wing includes two classrooms designed and equipped to enhance our students’ learning in science and technology.

Science Lab
The science lab is designed to combine classroom instruction with laboratory experiments in one setting. All students have access to multiple lab stations, learning centers, a wet area, a prep/storage room and a variety of equipment (microscopes, beakers, electric hot plates, lab kits, dissection tools, etc.) to make hands-on learning engaging, inspiring and fun.

Our curriculum is strengthened by field studies to local natural resources within close proximity to our school such as the Oaks Bottom Wildlife Preserve, Johnson Creek Watershed, the Willamette River and many parks and trails.

Educational tools like interactive projectors with laser wands and 3-dimensional ELMO boards give our students an enriched learning environment where instructors spend more of their time in a hands-on teaching setting.

Fr. Slider Steuernol Science and Technology Wing
Technology Center
Located adjacent to the Science Lab, is our Technology Center. Students, teachers and staff have access to over 24 fully loaded and state-of-the-art PCs as well as 24 mobile Mac Books.

Comprehensive, grade-appropriate curriculum for Internet and technology are integrated in to our curriculum. For example, Kindergarten students may be introduced to technology through educational games, then discover typing programs while middle school students use the technology center to enhance their basic computer application skills as well as conduct research for science fair projects, book reports and other school assignments. In addition, our teachers utilize the lab within many of their other subjects to add to and enhance their pupil’s understanding and application of computers.

To further supplement our interactive learning environment, every classroom is equipped with interactive overhead projectors. Wireless technology connects computers, printers, projectors and other devices to allow maximum flexibility and integration of technology throughout our curricula.