Scholarly Enrichment
St. Bonaventure School offers a number of scholarly opportunities to supplement curricular learning to stimulate creative, innovative, and critical thinking. While all students engage in creative expression through “Meet the Masters” and all Junior High students participate in our Walk Through History program, other opportunities are available on an opt-in basis through our after-school programs.
Meet the Masters
The Meet the Masters program provides an interactive, multimedia fine art education for our students. Students first attend an “Introducing the Masters” assembly where they learn about the lives and famous works of a series of historically significant artists. Next, students receive “Learn from the Masters” technique packets where they are introduced to the various art techniques used by the Masters. Finally, students “Work with the Masters” through their projects. Understanding the artists’ inspiration and techniques, the students are led step-by-step through various art projects.
Geography Bee
Each year, St. Bonaventure Catholic School participates in the National Geographic Bee, from the National Geographic Society. Fourth through eighth grade students may sign up to compete in the school-level Bee held after school in early December. Thirty students in total may compete and the winner will prepare to take a written exam in January. That written exam is entered into the next level of the competition, with high scorers traveling to Sacramento to compete in a State-level Geography Bee. Study aides are available here.
Mythology
St. Bonaventure Catholic School has offered students in grades 3 thru 8 the opportunity to take the National Mythology Exam since 1990. Students study Greek and Roman Mythology, as well as Native American, African, and Norse myths. The National Mythology Exam in an international test from the American Classical League at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Studying begins in December and concludes with the exam’s administration in early March.
Academic Chess
Academic Chess is an after-school enrichment program open to students in grades K-8. Exciting stories are used to teach chess concepts in a manner that is both easy to remember and fun to learn. Students learn to gain confidence, solve problems, think deeply, develop patience, evaluate positions, visualize results, strategize, plan, and compete with others. 8 week lessons are tailored to the skill level of each student. Participating students must pay an additional fee.
Walk Through History
Fourth grade students participate in the Walk Through California exploration of the state’s geography, history, and people. Role play, a student-assembled large-scale model of California, vocabulary development, listening skills, competitive games, and music add to the learning experience. Students participate as teams and individually as they travel together on an imaginary trip through the history and geography of California.
Fifth grade students participate in the Walk Through the American Revolution, taking on the roles of famous women and men. Students are encouraged to create costumes that bring life to their historical character. In teams, students recreate famous battles from Lexington to Yorktown. The centerpiece of the program involves the Declaration of Independence, where students recreate its signing.
Sixth grade students participate in the Walk Through Ancient Times, journeying through the ancient worlds of Greece, Rome, and Egypt. A variety of props are displayed and used by students to understand the chronology of events. Some students play the part of historical characters and are encouraged to create costumes to bring their character to life. The centerpiece of the program involves a competition between student teams representing the three early cultures explored in the program.