Student Programs

Innovation Lab/MakerSpace
Our Innovation lab/MakerSpace exposes students to a multitude of technologies. It is a space for inventing, tinkering, and dismantling. Students in grades PreK through 8th are encouraged to follow their own creative interests. The iLab is equipped with 3D printers, zSpace technology, VR equipment, wireless probeware, power tools, an array of building/construction items, gadgets, solar energy and other construction kits. 

Coding and Robotics
Coding languages and robotics have become fundamental in education and in the work force.  For that reason, we are providing students age appropriate tools to succeed and to develop fluency in our tech-centered world. St. Philip’s has hosted the FIRST LEGO League qualifier competition for over 30 schools, and our students in grades 2-8 participate each year in the Robot Game, Project Presentation and Core Values segments of the competition. The challenges are based on real-world scientific topics. We strategically help to dispel age and gender-biased ideas by introducing all students to a wide array of STEAM opportunities. Robotics takes place in our tech lab and in the iLab

Science Lab
Children have natural curiosity about their environment and the world. For that reason, science at St. Philip’s is not limited to the classroom. Through standards-based instruction and hands-on activities in our three state-of-the-arts Science labs and through outdoor/field experiences, the students are provided opportunities to do in-depth life, health, earth, and physical sciences, and engineering explorations. They learn to use the tools and equipment to develop mastery of process skills needed to be successful in science and other subject areas.

Saturday Science Camp
To heighten student’s interest in science, they are exposed to a day of high-level, inquiry-based challenges. The camps offer rigorous and fun investigations in forensics, comparative anatomy, oceanography, health and nutrition, earth science, and other STEM topics. 

Gwen's Garden
The four-fold objective of our Community Garden is to:
•    Allow students opportunities to experience food production from seed-to-harvest. Each class plants, maintains and harvests vegetables and herbs of their choice
•    Provide service-learning options through their donations and support of our school food pantry
•    Provide engaging challenges in our hands-on Investigation Stations 
•    Teach the importance of alternative energy production and use through our aquaponics system, solar energy and water conservation systems

PK – Kindergarten 
There are no overnight academic excursions until students reach second grade. Early Childhood takes multiple field trips that are curriculum-based, to apply and relate lessons studied. Some places visited: Perot Museum, Crayola Experience, Ft. Worth/Dallas Zoo, Lego Land, Dallas Aquarium, Dallas Library, Dallas Children’s Theater

1st Grade
First grade students learn about special people and places of interest in the city of Dallas. At year’s end, the first graders take a DART bus ride around the city to explore the people and places they have learned about throughout the year. The year culminates with a daylong excursion to Dinosaur Valley State Park where students discover the history of dinosaurs and explore dinosaur tracks and fossils.

3rd Grade
The outdoor education program curriculum at Sky Ranch provides multiple learning tracks, including Science, History, and Team Building. The curriculum is designed to address the current standards. Content is delivered in specifically designed outdoor classrooms by entertaining and highly trained instructors. This trip extends the classroom lessons and explorations the students have engaged in all year.

4th Grade Trip 
Students and teachers attend a two-day excursion to Austin and San Antonio to enrich their Texas History lessons. They visit the state capital, President Lyndon Baines Johnson’s boyhood home, the Alamo, and several other missions.

4th Grade Retreat
In September, 4th grade teachers and students travel to Wolf Run near McKinney Texas for a 2 night, 3-day retreat. As their first middle school experience, the purpose of the retreat is to promote team building and collaboration through engaging activities and outdoor excursions.

5th Grade Civil Rights Trip 
After a year-long study of African American civil rights, the 5th grade class travels to Selma, Montgomery, Tuskegee, Birmingham and Atlanta, in an effort to allow them a deepened and more meaningful understanding of how this movement impacted the lives of all Americans.

6th Grade Grand Canyon Trip 
The week-long Sixth Grade Grand Canyon Trip takes place in early May of each year. Led by the Headmaster, students experience the magnitude of one of God's greatest creations. Before traveling to the Grand Canyon, students research landmarks, important people, and the cultural history of both Arizona and the Grand Canyon. The culmination of this excursion is a hike into the Canyon.

7th Grade Civics Trip
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8th Grade Leadership Trip

 

Student Council
Many opportunities for student involvement and leadership exist in the Middle School. We believe that integrity, ethics and respect for the customs of the school and the law of the land are reasonable minimum expectations for all students. Members of the Student Council are elected by their peers and, by accepting leadership roles, agree to represent the school both on and off campus.

Saints of the Week
St. Philip's believes in rewarding students for daily accomplishments. We believe children learn best in an environment that is challenging and filled with opportunities to express their feelings about their newfound knowledge. Students are rewarded each Friday during Chapel for their classroom participation and overall academic and behavioral success during the week.

TITANS Award
The Titan Award is one that strives to recognize students in grades 3 - 6 who embody characteristics of citizenship, trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness and caring.  It is one of the highest honors that a St. Philip's student may achieve. 

Grandparents Day
St. Philip's acknowledges the impact that many of our students' grandparents play in their lives.  We celebrate their contributions each year during a special Chapel service, a reception, and visits to the classrooms.

School-wide Service-Learning Projects
Students at each grade level are required to participate in community/service learning projects throughout the year. We believe the projects reinforce the philosophy that "to whom much is given, much is required", and students leave St. Philip's knowing the importance of gratitude and service.

Project-Based Learning
PBL supports St. Philip’s efforts to empower students for servant leadership and community/global awareness. Students in all grade levels learn by collaboratively addressing complex, real- world issues through research, investigations, and relative product design. Students engage in scaffolded learning and reflection throughout long-term projects and meaningful contributions, and they respond to complex driving questions.

Early Childhood Students Learn through Fun
"I-AM" Day features students who dress as favorite story book/nursery rhyme characters. - Valentine's Day Sock-Hop is another day for expressing love and gratitude. Each student is required to bring donations of canned goods for our Community Center food Pantry.

African American Heritage Program
Each year in February, the students participate in an assembly where they showcase famous African-Americans through oral presentations. Students from neighboring schools are invited to witness the enlightening presentations.

Other Opportunities
The annual Oratorical Contest, Kidpreneur, Science Fair, Spelling Bee, Heritage Celebration, and various programs throughout the school year provide students with an opportunity to showcase their knowledge and talents.