St. Peter’s School Advisory Board: “Catholic Education is for Everyone”

Andrew Mays grew up attending St. Peter’s Catholic School and then Quincy Notre Dame. So, when he and his wife moved back to the area, they knew that they would send their children to St. Peter’s

“The school is our parish’s largest mission and the largest activity the church is involved in,” says Andrew, Chair of St. Peter’s School Advisory Board. “Fr. Leo Enlow often says that this is not a private school, but a Catholic school. It is important to have a solid educational foundation, but it is the Catholic part that is the primary.”

St. Peter’s School Advisory Board exists to offer guidance and advice to Fr. Leo and the school administration.

“We help them make decisions from giving input from a parent’s perspective to offering advice to the extent that it is needed on policies, marketing, administration, or personnel issues,” Andrew says. “We’re there as a resource for Fr. Leo and the school to use in whatever way they need and whatever way we can.”

Recently the School Advisory Board had an indepth conversation with school leadership about junior high elective classes and engaging both students and educators from the community. This is one example of how the board supports the school and the parish.

“The electives include options like an art curriculum and various languages taught by people in the community,” Andrew says. “We’re talking about how to attract students to electives and how to make this a good experience for the teacher including an onboarding process for consistency across classrooms.”

Having attended Catholic school from kindergarten through Law School, Andrew knows firsthand the impact of a Catholic education.

“The Catholic school experience, in addition to offering a strong academic foundation, produces good people for future adult Catholic life,” Andrew says. “We’re in a community where the Catholic faith is not just talked about, but lived in day-to-day actions. This sets students up to be part of a Catholic community for the rest of their lives.”

In the past several years, Andrew and his family have felt particularly called to promote inclusive Catholic education. Their son, Logan, has Down syndrome and is going into the third grade at St. Peter School.

“The school has done a great job with Logan and with kids in general in providing an inclusive and solid education to a variety of kids as they possibly can,” Andrew says. “Catholic education is for everyone, and every kid needs to have that experience regardless of their situation.”

To become involved in St. Peter’s School Advisory Board, simply note your interest when completing the commitment cards during the Annual Stewardship Renewal, or speak with Andrew.

“The Advisory Board provides as much guidance and expertise to the school as we can,” Andrew says. “As we work together to better the school, the Catholic identity of everyone who attends will be strengthened.”

If you would like more information about St. Peter’s School Advisory Board, please contact Andrew Mays at amays@quincyestates.com.