Accelerated math, new computer lab and Montessori program give Central Catholic its identity

Kinder 4 students at Central Catholic Elementary School are hard at work in computer class. Pictured, from left, are Angelica Martinez, Richard Levi Valdez, Naomi Romanczyk, computer teacher Angela Mincey, Carlos Ruiz and Leon Saenz. Rebecca Esparza for South Texas Catholic

Faith-filled leaders of tomorrow are molded everyday at Central Catholic Elementary. And now, thanks to new additions to the curriculum, the school is poised for many more decades of growth and success.

Founded in 1911 as St. Mary’s School, its name was changed to Sacred Heart in 1984, merging with Corpus Christi Cathedral School and eventually becoming Central Catholic Elementary in 1990. The Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament have staffed the school since 1915.

Recent additions to the school include an expanded accelerated math program, a brand new computer lab and a thriving Montessori program for three and four-year-old children.

The school’s rich history, along with the sense of community in a neighborhood steeped in tradition, sets Central Catholic apart from other schools in town. Sister Camelia Herlihy, IWBS, the school’s principal, is quick to point out all Catholic schools are each unique in their own way. 

“But the really wonderful part of Central Catholic is our close proximity to downtown Corpus Christi. People working in the downtown area have the opportunity to be close to our school for conveniently dropping off their children on the way to work and picking up their children at the end of the day,” Sister Camelia said. “We’re also right across the street from City Hall and the Nueces County Courthouse, two major employers in our city.”

Kinder 5 Teacher, JoAna Valderrama instructs Nicole Sanchez on her handwriting. Sanchez was the winner of the nationwide Handwriting Contest. Rebecca Esparza for South Texas Catholic

Sister Camelia, who came out of retirement to accept a one-year assignment as principal of Central Catholic Elementary, has been in Catholic education for 55 years, including 20 years as principal at Incarnate Word Elementary and 15 years as Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Corpus Christi.

“I’ll be retiring for the second time at the end of this school year,” she chuckled.

When asked to come out of retirement, Sister Camelia, 76, did not hesitate to answer the call.

“Children are wonderful and what we are all about. They remind us daily that God is in charge of us all,” she said. “Our parents and community are extremely supportive of our school. We are blessed.”

Adding a computer lab for the students was important for Sister Camelia because she wanted the children to stay on top of the latest technological advances.

“Each classroom has four computers and our computer lab has 20 computers. We’re living in a rapidly changing age of technology, so we want our children to stay competitive. The earlier you start, the more adept they become with technology. Even our three-year-olds spend time once a week in our computer lab,” she said.

Angela Mincey began teaching computer classes at the school in January. She said having an established place at the school for computer classes is important for the children. 

“The upper grades learn typing skills, while the younger children enhance their math and reading skills using clever games to make learning fun,” Mincey said. “The computer lab is a significant addition to the school.”

Santiago Soliz-Guerrero works with cylinder blocks in Montessori K3. Rebecca Esparza for South Texas Catholic

Three and four-year-old children at the school benefit from the Montessori program, an individual approach to education. 

“The teacher gives the lesson to the child individually. Many children do extremely well in Montessori learning. Our teachers are trained to ascertain how a child learns best, whether they are a visual learner versus oratory,” Sister Camelia said.

Fifth-grade math teacher Eddie Ortiz said students are given an assessment test at the beginning of the year, which helps him decide at which academic learning level they will be placed. 

“In addition, we use accelerated math programs to reinforce math skills and concepts that spiral at their appropriate level. I’ve also researched and will be incorporating Khan Academy lessons to help present math concepts to the class using the projector and laptop in the class,” he said. 

Ortiz said his fifth grade students are tackling complex math problems such as probability and statistics, graphs, ratios, percent mean and range.

“Out of 10 students, I have five working on grade level and five working above grade level, ranging from 6th grade Math to Pre-Algebra,” Ortiz said. 

Math is often a dreaded subject in school, but Ortiz is determined to make learning fun for the students by covering certain skills, small groups and using the game “Jeopardy” to help solve math problems. 

“They get to work as a team, with cooperative learning. In addition, there are math games on the computers they are allowed to use,” he said. “Computers are a vital role in helping our students become successful and productive citizens.”

Ortiz added the school’s new computer lab has been an amazing addition and has helped the children flourish with their studies.

“Here at Central Catholic, we are very grateful for all those people who have given of their time and talent to have set up a computer lab. This allows teachers to take their whole class at one time to work on various projects and introduce lessons to our students,” he said.

Maria Ramos is a teacher’s aide at Central Catholic who had enrolled her two children in public school for a brief time last year. The difference in the caliber of their education was stark and she enrolled them at Central Catholic after just five months in public school.

“My girls actually requested to come back and now they are doing great. They are flourishing. I’m so glad we’re back at Central Catholic. It took them awhile to catch up, but they did it,” she said.

Ramos said she understands why some parents might hesitate choosing a Catholic school education, such as expenses.

“Visit the school, speak with the teachers and get an understanding of what goes on firsthand. Any Catholic school will let prospective visitors talk to instructors, observe classes take a tour of the school,” Ramos said.

Sister Camelia emphasized the importance of parent involvement. 

“Parents are a child’s primary educators and can best help their children by helping educators. Read to your child. Even in the womb, reading will help their educational process. Select a school that will be a partner with you in the educational process of your child. The first step is choosing a Catholic school that will help your child grow their Catholic faith,” Sister Camelia said.

Central Catholic Elementary is currently accepting applications for enrollment. For more information call (361) 883-3873 or visit www.CentralCatholic.us.