The principles of DWP are:

1. The aims of education and classroom disciple are the same; to help children and youth become self-directing people.

2. Discipline and inseparable from teaching.

3. Discipline should change with a person's stage of development and help them move to the next stage.

4. Appropriate behavior is determined by the rational demands of specific situations.

5. Ways of dealing with misbehavior should agree with developmental goals.

6. A hierarchy of skills can be  identified and coordinated with a person's growth and development to provide and objective standard to define self-disciplined behavior. This sixth and major principle was the key to developing Discipline With Purpose.

The Fifteen Self-Discipline Skills identified in the Discipline With Purpose Program are these:

1. Listening
2. Following Instructions
3. Questioning
4. Sharing: Time, Space, People, Things
5. Interacting socially
6. Cooperating with others
7. Understanding rules
8. Figuring out how to accomplish tasks
9. Exhibiting Leadership
10. Communicating effectively
11. Organizing: Time, Space, People, Things
12. Resolving Mutual Problems
13. Taking the initiative in problem solving
14. Distinguishing face from feeling
15. Sacrificing for/Serving Others

The following curriculum subjects are taught in grades PK to 8 through use of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia curriculum guidelines which are derived from state and national standards: Mathematics, English Language Arts (Reading, Grammar, Phonics, Writing, Spelling, Listening, Speaking, Handwriting, Library Skills), Social Studies, Science, Music, Art, Physical Education, Health, and Technology.

Religion is taught in grades PK to 8 and follows the Religion Curriculum Guidelines of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.  Through the knowledge of God and the reception of the sacraments, each student learns that his/her faith is a way of life which nurtures the love he/she has for God, neighbor, and self.  Students are prepared for the reception of the sacraments of Penance and Holy Eucharist in second grade.  Reception of these sacraments takes place in second grade.  Students are prepared for the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation in fifth and sixth grades.  Reception of this sacrament takes place in sixth grade.  Since parents are the primary educators of their children, they are expected to take an active part in the instruction and preparation of their children for the reception of the sacraments, to be role models by their attendance at Mass and other liturgical celebrations, and to support the school community in its teachings.  Students in grades 3 to 8 are provided with ample opportunities for the reception of the sacraments of Penance and Holy Eucharist during the course of the academic year.  School liturgies are celebrated weekly.

Our Academics:
MATHEMATICS
SCIENCE
TECHNOLOGY
HEALTH
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
SOCIAL STUDIES
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
RELIGION
ART
MUSIC

St. Anselm School’s PreK and Kindergarten programs utilize the Children’s Literacy Initiative (CLI), a nationally acclaimed program that offers award-winning literature to teach phonics, vocabulary and reading skills. The CLI has been shown to positively impact student learning, the quality of teachers’ literacy instruction and the classroom environment.

All students in grades 3rd through 8th grade participate in the Annual Science Fair during Catholic School's Week. Using Next Generation Standards, students define criteria while taking into account scientific principles, creating projects, appropriate to their grade level. 

Pictured, students from Gr. 6 & K, also design Lunar Landers in Science class. +Read More.

Partnering with three area schools, St. Anselm School offers Math Matters, an accelerated program sponsored by the Connelly Foundation in which students learn advanced math skills from a remote instructor via video-conferencing technology.

St. Anselm School provides an extensive art program for all students. This past year, we offered our seventh-grade students weekly clay art instruction through the Connelly Foundation Access Program’s visiting Claymobile Art in Residency program. Also, the entire student body proudly displays their magnificent art collections in our Annual Art Show.

We offer weekly music classes to all of our students from PreK to 8th grade at St. Anselm School. Our 4th, 5th & 6th grade students learn the recorder. Each year at our Spring Concert the recorder students showcase their talents. Our fifth-grade students participate in Dancing Classrooms Philly. In the Finals, St. Anselm School was presented the 2016 Silver Award!  Read more./student-life