Curriculum

OUR VISION

St. Martin’s Catholic School is a student-centered learning community committed to academic excellence and the development of strong characters embedded in the Gospel values and Catholic tradition. A pillar in the Gaithersburg community, St. Martin’s is committed to educating the whole child and to providing a place where students not only thrive academically but also are challenged to be leaders in their school and society. By diversifying the curriculum to encompass authentic learning experiences, it continues to strive to meet the needs and learning styles of children from varied backgrounds and cultural experiences. Technology literacy, 21st-century teaching/learning skills, and core academic content at advanced levels empower the students to become responsible persons in their own educational experiences now and in the future.
SCHOOL HISTORY

St. Martin of Tours School is a Catholic elementary school serving students from Pre-K through 8th grade, proudly affiliated with the Archdiocese of Washington and St. Martin of Tours Parish. We hold the distinction of being the first Catholic school established in Montgomery County, opening our doors on September 14, 1925, under the guidance of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. For 45 years, the Sisters helped lay the foundation of academic excellence and faith formation. When they concluded their ministry in 1970, Monsignor Paul Meyer and the Parish Council carried their mission forward by establishing a School Board and a Home and School Association (HSA). The school transitioned to an all-lay faculty and, in 1988, celebrated the opening of a new school and parish center under the leadership of Rev. Americo DiNorcia. During this time, the school also expanded to include a licensed After-Care Program. Today, under the direction of Principal Anthony Sahadi, a dedicated faculty and staff, and the spiritual leadership of Monsignor Mark E. Brennan and his pastoral team, St. Martin’s continues to offer an academically rigorous, faith-centered education. We are committed to nurturing each child’s unique gifts and full potential in a community grounded in Gospel values, Catholic tradition, and mutual respect. In September 2025, St. Martin’s joyfully celebrates 100 years of Catholic education. As we mark this historic milestone, we look forward to many more years of faith, service, and scholarship.

Elementary (K-8) Curriculum and Standards

We adhere to the Archdiocese of Washington Catholic Schools Office curriculum and standards. This curriculum meets and exceeds the curriculum requirements for the Maryland State Department of Education. The curriculum contains educational framework designed to develop 21st century skills. All curriculum standards reflect a continuum of learning from pre-kindergarten to eighth grade. The ADW continuously update curriculum documents to ensure they are academically challenging and developmentally appropriate to encourage and nurture life-long learners.

Our Catholic faith is central to our curriculum and permeates the life of the school. The students are given daily religious instruction to support their spiritual growth. This instruction utilizes daily prayer, devotion, and opportunities to serve others. Preparation for the Sacraments of First Holy Communion and Reconciliation is the central focus in second grade. Confirmation preparation spans the seventh and eighth grade years, with students being confirmed in the spring of their eighth grade year.

For grade and subject specific standards, please refer to:

ADW Catholic School Curriculum Standards

Assessment

St. Martin’s School use standardized tests to measure how well students master the concepts and skills being taught. These assessment tools also compare our students’ scores to others across the country. We use a computerized assessment tool that offers distinct advantages for teachers, parents, administrators, and students—including students with special needs.

For details, please refer to: Assessment - Archdiocese of Washington Catholic Schools (adwcatholicschools.org)

Accreditation

All archdiocesan elementary and secondary schools within the Archdiocese of Washington are accredited by Cognia.

The Cognia accreditation process is recognized for its ability to effectively drive student performance, ensure mission effectiveness, and promote continuous improvement. Annually, our Archdiocesan schools collect and analyze data, set goals, plan, implement, and evaluate their school improvement efforts. This ongoing continuous review and evaluation of activities leads to authentic school improvement.

The Cognia accreditation process surpasses state standards in that a group of school administrators and superintendents from around the nation spend three days evaluating the Archdiocese of Washington Catholic schools and our school improvement efforts. The review includes interviews with stakeholders, classroom observations and surveys of faculty, parents, and students. As part of the accreditation process, the Archdiocese must report to Cognia its progress in addressing our team’s Improvement Priorities within two years as well as provide evidence of compliance with yearly assurances completed by schools. The comprehensive review visit takes place every five years.

The Archdiocese of Washington Catholic schools Cognia accreditation is valid through June 30, 2026.