Standards and Instruction

Curriculum & Instruction

Our Commitment to Academic Excellence

The Diocese of Raleigh Office of Catholic Schools is committed to providing students with a rigorous, faith-filled education that prepares them for success in college, career, and life. Our curriculum and instructional practices reflect both the teachings of the Catholic Church and the high academic expectations established for all students in North Carolina.

Catholic schools in the Diocese of Raleigh are aligned to the North Carolina State Curriculum Standards. By grounding our academic programs in these standards, we ensure that every student — from kindergarten through twelfth grade — receives an education that is both academically challenging and benchmarked against the expectations of the state of North Carolina. This alignment supports the seamless transition of students across grade levels and schools while maintaining the distinctive Catholic identity and mission at the heart of everything we do.

Curriculum

Standards Alignment

All diocesan schools implement instructional programs aligned to the North Carolina Standard Course of Study (NCSCS). This framework guides instruction in core subject areas including English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. Teachers plan and deliver lessons using these standards as the foundation, ensuring that all students develop the essential knowledge and skills appropriate for their grade level.

Catholic Identity Integration

While our academic standards align with those of the state, our curriculum is distinctively Catholic. Religious education is woven throughout every aspect of school life, and teachers are encouraged to integrate Gospel values, the teachings of the Church, and a Catholic worldview across all subject areas. Our schools are not simply academic institutions — they are communities of faith where the whole child is educated in mind, body, and spirit.

Core Subject Areas

Diocesan schools provide comprehensive instruction across the following core disciplines:

Instruction

Effective instruction in diocesan schools is rooted in research-based best practices and a deep understanding of how students learn. Teachers are supported through ongoing professional development, collaborative planning, and instructional coaching to ensure they are equipped to meet the diverse needs of all learners.

Our instructional philosophy emphasizes high expectations for all students, differentiated instruction to meet individual learning needs, data-informed decision-making, and a classroom culture that is both rigorous and nurturing. We believe that every child is made in the image and likeness of God and is therefore deserving of the very best education we can provide.

Professional Development

The Office of Education provides teachers and administrators with regular professional development aligned to both instructional priorities and Catholic school mission. Training opportunities address curriculum implementation, data literacy, assessment practices, instructional strategies, and faith formation for educators.

Assessment

Assessment is an essential component of effective teaching and learning. In the Diocese of Raleigh, we use a variety of assessments to measure student progress, inform instruction, and ensure that all students are on track to meet grade-level expectations. Our assessment program includes both formative measures used day-to-day in the classroom and summative assessments that provide a broader picture of student performance over time.

Grades K–8: i-Ready Diagnostic

Students in Kindergarten through Grade 8 participate in the i-Ready Diagnostic assessment three times per year — at the beginning, middle, and end of the school year. The i-Ready Diagnostic is a nationally normed, adaptive assessment that measures student performance in Reading and Mathematics. Each administration provides teachers with detailed data on individual student strengths and areas for growth, enabling targeted instructional decisions.

The three annual administrations serve distinct purposes:

  • Fall – Establishes a baseline for each student at the start of the school year and informs initial instructional groupings and plans
  • Winter – Measures mid-year growth, allowing teachers to adjust instruction and provide additional support where needed
  • Spring – Documents end-of-year growth and informs planning and instructional decisions for the following school year

Results from the i-Ready Diagnostic are shared with teachers, school administrators, and families to promote transparency and partnership in supporting student achievement.

High School: College Readiness Assessments

Students in diocesan high schools participate in a sequence of college readiness assessments designed to prepare them for post-secondary success. These assessments help students identify strengths and areas for improvement, familiarize them with college admissions testing formats, and provide actionable data to guide academic planning.

High school students in the Diocese of Raleigh participate in the following assessments:

  • PSAT (Preliminary SAT) – Administered to students in Grades 9 and 10; provides an early indicator of college readiness in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math, and prepares students for the SAT
  • SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) – A nationally recognized college admissions examination taken by students in Grades 11 and 12; assesses college and career readiness and is widely used in the college application process
  • Pre-ACT – Administered to students in Grades 9 and 10 as a practice measure for the ACT; provides early feedback on academic readiness in English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science
  • ACT (American College Testing) – A nationally recognized college admissions examination taken by students in Grades 11 and 12; assesses English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science reasoning skills and is used in the college application and scholarship process

Together, these assessments form a comprehensive college readiness pathway that begins in ninth grade and continues through senior year. Schools use results to guide counseling conversations, support academic planning, and connect students with the resources they need to achieve their goals.