In order to ensure proper placement, children are tested and diagnosed to identify knowledge gaps (if any). Curriculum and teachers are carefully selected for compatibility with the school's mission, philosophy, and high standards. Our high school curriculum offers general academic and college-prep programs, with a large majority of students pursuing a strong college-prep program. Our extracurricular activities include: athletic teams, music, drama, yearbook, newspaper, mock trial, art, choir, chess, and international clubs.

Our Savior New American School is Registered and Approved by New York State Regents.

ACADEMICS:

In addition to our traditional core subjects, OSNAS offers Honors level and Advanced Placement courses in: U.S. History, English Literature and Composition, American Government, Calculus, and Chemistry. The courses are taught at the college level and present a challenge for the advanced student

Pre-School Program: Experience prepares students for Kindergarten. Students are instructed in an atmosphere in which they are able to grow spiritually, academically, and socially. Listening and thinking skills, motor skills, writing activities in science and social studies supplement the letter and number recognition curriculum. Our staff is carefully chosen to meet your needs. They are caring, dedicated, and competent.

• Age Requirements: Children entering Pre-School must be three or four years of age by December 31st. 
• Three Year Old Program: 2 Days/week on Tuesday and Thursday
• Four Year Old Program: 3 Days/week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
• Sessions: Morning Session: 9:15am-11:45am.  Afternoon Session: 12:30pm-3:00pm 
• Five Day Program: Monday-Friday 9:15am-11:45am 

Kindergarten Progam: (Full Day Program-Five Days/week) Emphasis is placed on academic, social, and spiritual growth in a positive, structured Christian environment. A strong phonics curriculum with the goal of students reading upon completion of kindergarten is a foundation of the program. Group instruction occurs in a traditional kindergarten class setting with a lead teacher and an assistant teacher.

Our Savior New American School – 2010  Summer Reading list for students entering 7^th & 8^th grades

• Students need to read two books from the following book list this summer.  The first book (& report) should be read by July 31 and the second book (& report) by August 31.  Students can drop it off in July/August or wait until the first day of school.
• Students will take a comprehension test on these books within the first days of school.

                                                                                   Reports:

1^st paragraph – General paragraph about what are the novel’s main ideas, plot, setting & characters.

• Describe the main character(s).
• Summarize the main conflict.
• Explain the setting and its importance.

2^nd paragraph – Select a passage that you enjoyed.  Photocopy it and attack it to your report.

• What is the action?
• What are the main characters doing?
• Why it appeals to you?

3^rd paragraph -  Write a paragraph about your reaction to this novel.

• How did you feel as you read this novel?  Did it make you laugh? Smile? Cry? Become angry? Become surprised?
• Identify the idea and explain your response.    

4^th paragraph – Write an opinion of this book.  Discuss some the following questions:

·      If you were able to become the character in the book, what character traits would you like to acquire from that character?  Why?

·      If you could speak to that character, what advice would you give to this character?

·      Would you recommend this book to a friend?  Give specific reasons why you’d recommend this book.

·      Why did the author write this book?

·      What were some Christian values that you saw in this book?

·      Reports should only be 4 paragraphs, with 5-6 sentences per each paragraph.  Write precise & well planned sentences, using P.O.Q (Part of the Question).   Be sure to have a topic sentence for each paragraph.  Address only the questions (do not recount the story).   Type the report.

High School Summer Reading/Journal Writing 2010

·         Each high school student is required to read two books during the summer and keep a journal.  The student needs to read and then journal online, addressing these 15 entries for both novels:

1.       Write the title of the book & its author.  Write a paragraph predicting about what you think the book will be like.

2.       How does the character(s) face the problem?

3.       Are there changes in the situation or problem?

4.       What are some new sides to the characters?

5.       Are the characters realistic?  Do they remind you of other characters from other novels? A person you know?

6.       What is shocking about his/her life?

7.       Who is the protagonist? The antagonist? How do they relate to each other?

8.       How would you relate to what he/she had to endure?

9.       Why did the author write this book?

10.   What is the mood (emotional atmosphere)?  How does the author develop the mood?

11.   What is the theme?  Document & note the paragraphs and sentences that are pertinent to the theme.

12.   What is the author’s attitude (tone) toward the theme?  Give two words to name the tone and list two examples at how it is revealed in the novel.

13.   Find at least two significant quotations.  Write who said it, to whom in is referring to, in what context it was said and why this quotation is significant.  (adding to the reader’s understanding of the character. . . theme. . . conflict)

14.   Discuss the author’s use of irony (verbal, situational or dramatic).  If you need to research these – please do so.  All novels will have at least one type of irony.

15.   Discuss the ending.  Was it what you had anticipated?  Would you have preferred a different ending?

Several grades in the first quarter for the summer reading:

1.       Exams of the assigned novel within the first days of school.

2.       The student’s summer online journal for two novels.

3.       A five paragraph essay within the first days of school

·         High school students must complete the journals online throughout the summer.  Please send an email to Mrs. Brenda Jones at bjonesbrazil@gmail.com or Mr. Michael Warner at godthane@juno.com  to connect to this online blog or forum by July 1.  

·         9^th grade, 11^th grade regular English, 12^th grade regular English  – connect to Mr. Warner

10^th grade regular & honors, 11^th AP English, 12^th AP English – connect to Mrs. Jones

Required Novels per grade level: