Christian Education

AT A GLANCE: CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Our school currently serves over 200 students, grades PreK2-6th (ages 2 – 11) who benefit from St. Philip’s rigorous, nurturing, and dynamic Christian based education.

Chapel Live Streaming Now Available

The most important part of our day at St. Philip’s is chapel. It is the opportunity we have to gather as faculty, staff, students, and parents to praise, pray, share, and study God’s word. We pour into our students a love of God and love of learning that sustains them beyond their St. Philip’s experience. We are blessed to now have the capacity to share our daily chapel with the world through live streaming, thanks to the compassionate and generous support of Ellen and John McStay and the McStay family.

“We are drawn to support St. Philip’s because it has always been a bright light in the spiritual and intellectual development of its students,” explains Ellen McStay who believes their investment in the Morning Star chapel live streaming project will broaden St. Philip’s influence on the community. The gift was made in honor of Darvin and Mary Jane Shields who were the McStay’s parents, grandparents, and great grandparents. “It is our hope that everyone would be reminded of Ephesians 6:2, 3,” says Mrs. McStay. “Honor your father and mother…that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy a long life on the earth.”

Please join us anytime for our chapel service at 8:15 am by logging in to https://livestream.com/stphilips1600. You will be inspired!

Robotics at St. Philip’s

Robo Saints, Techno Saints, and Mini Bots may sound like the title of a popular cartoon; however these are the names of St. Philip’s three robotics teams. The School’s robotics program was established five years ago for our 4th – 6th grade students. Participants meet afterschool two days a week to learn how to build, program, and operate robots. “Our robotics students are not only learning key critical thinking and engineering skills but teamwork,” says Bruce Montgomery, St. Philip’s Technology teacher and lead robotics instructor.

This year, the program expanded to include 1st – 3rd graders – our Mini Bots! In March, the Mini Bots competed for the first time in the FIRST LEGO Jr. Expo with over 120 other teams. Our Mini Bots received one of only ten awards issued at the competition. “They are off to a great start,” says Montgomery.

Although pleased with our team’s performance, Montgomery was stunned to discover St. Philip’s was the only African-American team to compete. Recent statistics show that African-Americans and Latinos account for only 15% of positions in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) related fields, yet, St. Philip’s has a strong track record of laying a solid foundation for STEM pursuit. In fact, approximately 35% of our alumni are pursuing or serving in STEM related professions such as medicine, computer technology, engineering, and physics. We believe further expansion and development of our robotics and other STEM related programs will increase this already impressive number.

St. Philip’s Annual 5th Grade Civil Rights Trip Offers Unparalleled Experience

For nearly 20 years, St. Philip’s students have embarked upon an annual spring academic excursion lovingly referred to as the Civil Rights Trip, a week-long tour on a chartered bus to destinations that were part of the Freedom Trail of the southeastern United States. The itinerary has grown and developed over the years. “However, the premise remains the same,” explains Ramona Wilson, the school’s 5th and 6th grade Social Studies teacher. “Our students are gifted the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of the people who - to quote the St. Philip’s Creed - “have suffered and died for our chance to read and do math.”

In preparation for the journey, the students study U.S. History through the lens of the African American experience, a unique aspect of St. Philip’s curriculum. In August, our 5th graders’ exploration begins with an examination of the Triangular Trade Route and the Middle Passage. This study forms the foundation for learning about European colonization of the America, the Revolutionary War, the dispute over slavery leading to the Civil War and Reconstruction, both World Wars and the struggle for equal rights. Several weeks before the trip, the students engage in research and activities to learn about the key figures, events, and historical landmarks associated with the Civil Rights Movement. On this unique excursion that includes a visit to a former slave plantation in Louisiana, students visit several museums and see many of the landmarks they’ve studied as they travel to Atlanta, Birmingham, Selma, Tuskegee, and Memphis. “The excursion is an unparalleled experience,” says Wilson. “It brings history alive and makes it relevant for the students. It is impossible to return unchanged after the experience.”

A Night at 1600: Learning Out Loud - A Big Hit with Families

On January 19th, St. Philip’s held its first combined curriculum and Admissions open house entitled A Night at 1600: Learning Out Loud. It proved to be a dynamic evening of fun teaching and learning for the entire family. Both current and prospective parents and students engaged together in live classroom experiences in Math, ELAR, Science, and Social Studies. “My granddaughter didn’t want to leave even after her passport had all the stamps,” says Glorias Dixon, a grandparent, neighborhood resident, and board trustee. “It was a great way to show innovative learning strategies.”