St. Paul School opened its doors in 1902 as a K-8 parochial school, and now, 123 years later, the upcoming academic year marks a record-high enrollment in several decades.
St. Paul School Principal Laura Cody, who has been with the school for 30 years – 10 as principal – said that this year's enrollment of 186 students across grades kindergarten through sixth is the highest enrollment since she began teaching at the school.
'I think having the intervention specialists on staff, smaller classes and other offerings really speak to parents and make them feel comfortable sending their student to St. Paul,' Cody reflected.
The school is focused on faith-based learning, including a daily religion lesson, and this year's new religious series, 'The Spirit of Truth' from the Sophia Institute Press, will be integrated into each classroom, she noted. Other new initiatives this year includes partnering with the YMCA for after-school care at the school, as well as a new intervention specialist for grades two-four to provide extra assistance to both students and teachers. Last year, St. Paul added a math coach to give a little boost to those students who struggle with math. The school also employs a school counselor and a Title I reading teacher to have the support systems in place that students and teachers need to succeed. In addition to the intervention specialists, St. Paul has fulltime paraprofessionals in the preschool and first grade classrooms.
'It's too quiet here in the summer, so I'm really excited to have everyone back in the building and to see our students be excited about learning and loving each other. We are a big family here and that's what makes this so special,' she exclaimed. 'It's a privilege to raise saints at St. Paul School. The support we receive from our parish and our community is amazing, and being able to share our faith and Jesus' love is a blessing.'
