Students arrive early to eat breakfast and attend the morning assembly before starting classes. Classes cover the full range of academic subjects—with significant emphasis on core math, science, reading comprehension, and writing skills. Students also have a short recess period as well as a lunch period midday.
Academic Program
The Extended Program
Our Extended Program is the cornerstone of students’ success at Nativity Prep. Providing students with more hours in school and more hours with staff per year than other schools, extended learning allows students to spend more time focusing on tasks and gives them more opportunities to explore their interests and increase their understanding of a broad range of topics.
A Typical Day
7:30 am – 2:30 pm
2:45 pm – 3:30 pm
Students get a snack before attending the homework lab, where they receive help with that day’s homework assignment or work one-on-one or in groups with volunteer tutors and mentors.
3:30 pm – 4:15 pm
Students participate in enrichment activities designed to expose them to a variety of cultural and recreational activities, helping to cultivate their unique skills and passions. Students may also work on service-learning projects in the community at this time.
4:30 pm
Following our afternoon assembly, students are transported home by buses provided by the Rochester City School District.
Summer Program
Each summer, Nativity holds a mandatory Summer Academic and Leadership Program to provide academic support. This program also helps to encourage cultural and intellectual enrichment, and provides opportunities to develop athletic, leadership, and team-building skills—as well as personal values.
Weeks 1 – 3
Week one is a remedial program for students who didn’t complete their academic requirements. The next week or two (program length varies by year) are for all new and returning students, and consist of a morning academic program of reading, writing, and mathematics, as well as an afternoon session of specialized enrichment courses in art, music, computer, and science—with at least one weekly service opportunity to engage students in the community. Breakfast and lunch are provided.
Week 3 or 4
The program ends with a sleep-away camp experience at Camp Asbury, focused on helping students gain a sense of self and develop leadership skills with an emphasis on team building and character development. This unique experience is the highlight of the year for our students.