The Curriculum
The Basic Curriculum of Each of the Three “Schools” of Pax Et Lumen
Pax Et Lumen International Academy follows the basic curriculum and the number of teaching hours required by the Philippine Department of Education or DepEd.
The school, however, doubles the number of learning hours required by DepEd starting in Grade 1 in the sciences and mathematics. Parents should not think that a student at Paxet Lumen will be overwhelmed by math and science courses.
The students learn, as years go by, to handle the computational and science subjects as well as they do the other regular subjects because of the school’s ‘double sessions’ in these courses.
The Lower School or Grades 1 to 4
Students in the Lower School are taught the following skills appropriate for their age levels:
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Reading Well
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Speaking Well
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Writing simple essays
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Numerical Skills
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Basic Scientific Knowledge and Principles
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Socialization Skills
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Arts and Crafts
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Physical Skills and Sportsmanship
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Learning group work
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Handling small responsibilities
The Middle School or Grades 5 to 8
The Middle School prepares pre-teens or the “tweens”, those in between childhood and young adulthood in the following areas:
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Independent Reading
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Advance grammar through writing essays and short narratives
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Reading children’s novels and short novels
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Advance lessons in civics for Grades 5 and 6
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Advance lessons in science and math for Grades 5 and 6
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Experiments on plants, fruits, and natural substances: practical application of scientific principles
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Introduction to the study of history and geography in Grade 7
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Integrated science and earth sciences in ‘Grade 7
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Introduction to biology, physics, and chemistry in Grade 8
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Philippine History and Literature in Grade 7
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Asian literature and Asian History in Grade 8
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Philippine folk dances; sports
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Food preparation
The Upper School or Grades 9 to 12
The Upper School (or the upper levels of high school that will include Grades 11 to 12 in the coming years) prepares students to handle college work or to take on an entry level basic employment through training in advance courses:
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Geometry, trigonometry, pre-calculus, statistics
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Advance biology, physics, and chemistry
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Science research
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American History and World History
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American Literature and World Literature
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Research and Term Paper Writing
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The arts, novels, plays, poetry
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Food preparation, nutrition, basic caregiving
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Sports and dances
What is the ultimate goal of learning?
Pax and Lumen International Academy believes that to learn well is not just to be ready for a job, to be ready to enter one’s choice of profession, to be a good member of one’s community, or to be a good citizen of one’s country. Skills and knowledge are undoubtedly needed to handle the challenges of living in the 21st century.
But learning can become a truly joyful and meaningful experience if the student becomes appreciative of the wonders of the world and of the universe. Through his curiosity and understanding, he will marvel at the beautiful universe, what one author has called, “the Elegant Universe.”
Perhaps a graduate of Paxet Lumen will not reach the level of appreciation required to see the “Elegant Universe” upon leaving the school, but the institutionnevertheless wants the learning experience within its walls to be a good introduction.
