PK - 12 Catholic Academy
Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.
Magnify your possibilities
The Media Center is housed within the Center For Innovation at St. Mary’s Academy. It is a gathering place on campus for reading classes, research, and collaboration. The Media Center houses more than 8,000 volumes, periodicals, reference sources, and two databases through Ebsco.
The mission of the Library Media Center Program is to support the school curriculum through a variety of resources, to educate students and staff on becoming effective users of ideas, information, and literature, and to nurture a love for lifelong reading.
If you have questions, would like to volunteer, or would like to learn more about the role that the Media Center plays in the development of our students, please contact Kathy Schenck at kschenck@smaschool.org or 770.461.2202 ext. 301.
Library Policies & Procedures
Library Activities & Incentives
Grading Policy
Battle of the Books (BOB) is an exciting school-wide and Archdiocesan competition. Participation is mandatory for all 3rd through 6th graders, who must read a minimum of four books from the list. While optional for 7th and 8th graders, reading more books increases a student’s chances of making the official team.
The top four students from each grade level will represent SMA at the Archdiocesan Semi-Finals in April, with the Finals held at the Chancery in May. Team selection is based on the highest number of Accelerated Reader (AR) quizzes passed with a score of 50% or higher on the designated BOB books.
To see the current book list, go to Current Families and click on Media Center Resources.
The Accelerated Reader (AR) program is a digital tool that checks reading comprehension. At the beginning of each quarter, students take the STAR Reading Assessment through Renaissance to determine their reading level. They then select books within that level, read them independently, and take short comprehension quizzes.
To meet their quarterly goal, students aim for an average score of 85% or higher on their AR quizzes, earning prizes based on how many quizzes they complete. This goal resets each quarter. Students who maintain this 85% average for three out of four quarters earn an invitation to the year-end Grand Prize Party.
Additional ways to win include:
100% on a quiz: Earn a bookmark.
Leveling up: Earn a prize for increasing your reading level.
Accumulating points: Earn dog tags (longer books are worth more points).
Million Word Club: Read one million words to receive a year-end trophy.
Rockstar Readers: Students reading at least one year above grade level will be featured on Mrs. Schenck’s poster.