St. Martin of Tours Academy & Preschool
U.S. Dept. of Education Green Ribbon School | Fair Trade School | La Mesa, CA
* FAITH-FILLED * COMMUNICATOR * CONFIDENT * LIFELONG LEARNER *
SMA Philosophy of Education
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At St. Martin of Tours Academy, we embrace a whole-child approach to education, fostering both academic, spiritual, and personal growth. By aligning with Diocesan, NGSS, and State/Common Core Standards, we create a supportive environment where every student thrives.
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Our classrooms focus on clear learning intentions, structured activities, and differentiated instruction, meeting the unique needs of each student. We challenge students to embrace lifelong learning, think critically, and develop essential life skills. Collaboration, respect, and the courage to seek help are integral to our philosophy. Students work in various settings—small groups, pairs, or independently—building confidence and self-management.
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We emphasize that mistakes are part of learning and that every student can achieve their full potential through persistence and support. Our approach helps students recognize their own value, cultivate self-esteem, and develop a genuine love for learning.
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At SMA, we are committed to empowering students to become successful, confident learners who respect themselves and others.
A Day at SMA
Each morning, students from Kindergarten to 8th grade enter a calm, welcoming environment, accompanied by soothing music. While the school day officially begins at 8:00 AM, students are invited to arrive as early as 7:45 AM. Once settled, students engage in a variety of tasks, from fine motor activities like rolling playdough sticks in Kindergarten to journaling in 8th grade. During this time, teachers and aides offer individualized academic or social-emotional check-ins to provide personalized support. Mornings are primarily focused on English Language Arts (ELA) and core subjects, ensuring a strong foundation for the day’s learning. Additionally, students attend Mass weekly on their class's designated day.
All students enjoy a 40-minute break for lunch and recess. The school is divided so that half of the students play first while the other half eats. We offer a hot lunch program, and this time also provides an opportunity for parents to earn volunteer hours while engaging with the students. During lunch, students learn which items can be recycled or composted. As part of our Green Ribbon program, junior high students help by bringing compost to the garden compost bin.
Instruction continues until 2:30 PM. SMA offers a variety of special classes, including two 45-minute sessions of PE per week, one 45-minute music class, one 45-minute technology class for grades 2-8, and one 45-minute art class for grades 5-8. Junior high students rotate through their specialized classes and also participate in Spanish. Additionally, students in grades 3-8 can join choir once a week for a 45-minute session.
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SpartanCare is available from 7 am to 6 pm Monday - Friday.