St. Paul's Episcopal School ViewBook

ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

Welcome to St. Paul’s Episcopal School!

St. Paul’s is the only Episcopal independent day school in the Lakeview area. We are a family-centered community dedicated to the educational, spiritual, cultural, and physical growth of students in Pre-K through 8th grade. The school is grounded in the Episcopal tradition but respects, honors, and accepts students of all faiths.

At St. Paul’s we educate children in an atmosphere that is close-knit and nurturing, without undue pressure or competitiveness, and you can be certain your child will be known and loved. With a hands-on, project-based, integrated approach, students experience the school day in a unique way. Our curriculum gives our students the knowledge and skills to perform at a high academic level and to thrive in a technological and rapidly changing world. Just as importantly, we believe we must instill in our children at an early age a sense of the joy of education. We wish to give our students the tools necessary to foster life-long learning by sparking creativity, embracing spirituality, encouraging leadership, and exploring possibilities.

Intellectual development is vital, as is the development of moral character, integrity, respect, kindness, and service. We support a structure in which learning can take place, but we allow for the freedom in which discovery can happen. And, probably most important of all, we have a lot of fun!

Each year our graduates are accepted by the top high schools in New Orleans and go on to become leaders in their chosen schools. Consider learning more about St. Paul’s by exploring our website, visiting our Facebook and Instagram pages, or touring our Lakeview campus.

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St. Paul’s facts 1961 13 Year founded

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Memberships

8:1

Student teacher ratio

>20 Zip codes

Average class size

Advantages

27% 15 Diversity rate

Sports teams

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Student overnight experiences

High schools attending

Colors Mascot Blue & Green

Panther

St. Paul’s offers your child the advantages of a Pre-K through 8th grade co-educational environment providing students real-world learning, leadership opportunities, age-appropriate activities, and so much more.

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“A St. Paul’s education teaches children how to learn and how to get along with others. These are skills for life. These skills are priceless.”

- Charleen Schwank, Head of School MISSION STATEMENT St. Paul’s Episcopal School is dedicated to instilling in our children strength and intellect and strength of character in a Christian environment that is positive, respectful, and familial. We encourage our students to strive to do their best, to be compassionate, and to appreciate the beauty of life.

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The Pre-K and kindergarten classrooms are wellequipped for the young learners. Core subjects (language arts, math, science and social studies) are taught using hands-on activities in centers providing ample time for teachers to work with students one-on-one and in small groups. The curriculum contains established guidelines for meeting the cognitive, social, and physical needs of young children. Children learn about their world through concrete, sensory experiences that are stimulating and challenging. Days are scheduled to include small and large group instruction, individual choice, and time for outdoor play. In addition to core subjects, art, music, technology, educating for sustainability, Spanish, PE, and religious studies are included each week.

In grades one through four building a solid foundation is the main focus.

Incorporating hands-on activities and reallife applications while paying particular attention to differences in learning styles are key. Teachers work diligently to find resources and support materials. Textbooks are used but do not drive the curriculum.

Technology, religious studies, educating for sustainability, Spanish, PE, music, art, and ample time for play are all important pieces of the lower school experience.

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Realizing the unique needs of the fourth grade student, the year is viewed as one of transition. Receiving letter grades, sharing an over-night experience with classmates, and participating in student-led parent/ teacher conferences are all part of the fourth grade year. Fourth grade gives students a time to grow but also time to remain in the nurturing and encouraging environment they have known since Pre-K. Many extracurricular activities, including after-school sports beginning in third grade, are available to the students in lower school.

Students are blended into a departmentalized setting in middle school. Core subjects as well as Spanish, the arts, religious studies, technology, educating for sustainability, and PE are part of the day. In addition, Latin is added to the program. A wide range of extracurricular options are offered to the middle school student. The middle school curriculum is rigorous, but the approach is one that respects, guides, and nurtures the students at this impressionable time in their lives. Leadership skills that encourage continuous learning, personal responsibility, accountability, and purposeful collaboration are emphasized.

For all grades learning is not confined to the classroom. Outdoor education, gardening, cooking in the outdoor culinary center, and field trips are all vitally important parts of the learning process.

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ENCOURAGING LEADERSHIP St. Paul’s students are provided a variety of avenues and experiences to develop their personal leadership skills and abilities. Students are encouraged to leave their comfort zone and to take a chance.

Honor and character are hallmarks of a leader. Leadership is encouraged through the school’s many service learning, community service opportunities, clubs, sports teams, and activities.

EXPLORING POSSIBILITIES Learning happens everywhere every day. Innovative programs and teachers allow students to explore creative avenues of learning. In this rapidly changing world, keeping in touch with what is new takes time and dedication. We strive to provide the children of today the tools they will need to meet the challenges of the future.

MIDDLE SCHOOL MANTRA I will take care of myself.

I will take care of my things.

I will take care of my responsibility to others.

Mantra said after lunch each day by middle school students.

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OVERNIGHT EXPERIENCES 4th – 8th GRADES ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

4th – Science and social studies trip to Fontainebleau State Park, LA 5th – Team-building and bonding adventure, Camp Abbey, LA 6th - Coastal Roots: LSU AG Center Coastal restoration program, Grand Isle, LA 7th – Team-building adventure, Bogue Chitto State Park, LA 8th – Outdoor adventure in North Carolina and Civil Rights trip to Memphis, TN

“St. Paul’s students have many leadership opportunities. Personal responsibility is not merely offered and accepted; it is something we know we can depend on.”

- Andrew O’Brien, Middle School Principal and Latin teacher 7

SPARKING CREATIVITY Each student has talents that define individuality. Our goal is to help our children discover those talents and gifts through a number of artistic endeavors.

Education in the arts helps foster critical analysis skills, the ability to collaborate and problem-solve creatively, and to be original and flexible thinkers.

CLUBS/ACTIVITIES ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Book Club Chess Team Choir Lego League Robotics Math Olympiads Minecraft Music and voice lessons Science Olympiad Studio Band Tech Team

“It continues to amaze teachers and parents how each student’s interpretation of instructions demonstrates the absolute uniqueness and creativity of each child. One need only take a trip down any of the halls of St. Paul’s to see the results.”

- Lauren Durand, Lower School Principal and 3rd grade teacher 8

SUSTAINABILITY STATEMENT

Coastal Roots, LSU Coastal Restoration Project

St. Paul’s Episcopal School commits to embrace a global understanding of the social, economic, and environmental impact of the use of our resources as they relate to the sustainability of water, food, environment, energy, and the reduction of waste.

Garden-to-Garden Joe W. and Dorothy Dorsett Brown Foundation Grant

PAWS to Work Service to School Program

Senior Citizen Computer Class

“My experiences at St. Paul’s provided the foundation for who I am today. They encouraged critical thinking, passion for lifelong learning, and compassion for those around us. We wanted those same values for our daughter and have found them again at St. Paul’s. We are proud to be a part of the St. Paul’s family.”

- Kimberly Buras class of 2005

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EMBRACING SPIRITUALITY

PRINCIPLES AND IDEALS OF EPISCOPAL SCHOOLS ■ School worship that is creative and inclusive ■ Community life in which matters of the spirit are honored and cultivated and the physical, mental, and emotional health of all are supported and nurtured ■ Religious formation and study that is meaningful, substantive, age-appropriate, and fosters dialogue with other faith traditions ■ Social justice and the ideals and concepts of equity, justice, and a just society throughout the life of the school; embracing and honoring diversity; and the inclusion of service learning and community service as an integral part of the life of the school.

Faith is not confined to chapel or religious studies classes. Faith is lived each day as we provide for the spiritual, academic, emotional, and physical development of each child in an inclusive and ecumenical environment.

Character development programs in Pre-K through 8th grade help children to grow in a positive and respectful manner. Through chapel services and religious studies classes, students are made aware of the importance of respecting the dignity of others and also why it is important to maintain their own dignity at all times. Service learning, community service, and environmental education teach children to respect and care for their neighbors and the earth.

“Spirituality is truly woven into every aspect of daily life at St. Paul’s.

From chapel services to the classroom, the children are taught and embrace the Episcopal ideals of service, inclusiveness, respect, and community.”

- Laura Akers, St. Paul’s Parent and Church Parishioner 10

The St. Paul’s Honor Code is signed by 4th-8th grade students, faculty, and staff.

HONOR CODE Students at St. Paul’s believe that personal honor is one of their most cherished possessions; therefore, students at St. Paul’s strive to tell the truth, act honestly in all situations, respect other people and their property, and expect the same behavior from others.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT St. Paul’s Episcopal School, in support of its mission, is committed to the cultivation of a diverse community, honoring the unique differences of all. We embrace and celebrate diversity as essential to learning and to making positive contributions to the world.

FINGER PRAYER Glory to God as the angels sing Thanks be to God for everything God forgive me as I forgive others Bless everyone my sisters and brothers Last of all Dear God bless me And so I make my prayer to thee Amen Chapel services are concluded with the Finger Prayer 11

ACCREDITATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS ■ Independent Schools Association of the Southwest ■ Southwest Association of Episcopal Schools ■ Approved by the State of Louisiana ■ National Association of Independent Schools ■ National Association of Episcopal Schools ■ Association of School Curriculum Development

Our students apply to and are accepted to the top high schools in the city ■ Academy of the Sacred Heart ■ Benjamin Franklin High School ■ Brother Martin High School ■ Cabrini High School ■ De La Salle ■ Dominican High School ■ Holy Cross High School 12

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Isidore Newman Jesuit High School Louise S. McGehee School Metairie Park Country Day Mount Carmel Academy NOCCA St. Martin’s Episcopal School Ursuline Academy

HONORS ■ Recipient of numerous grants from local and national organizations ■ Multiple years as regional champion of Science Olympiad competition ■ Numerous Math Olympiads awards ■ Numerous National Latin exam awards ■ Multiple years as platinum and gold winner of the Louisiana Green School Challenge ■ State champion robotics competition ■ Numerous boys and girls sports championships ■ Commendation from accreditation bodies for service learning and community service programs ■ Seventh grade students are annually recognized by the Duke University Talent Identification program

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TRADITIONS ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

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8th Grade vs. Teachers Volleyball Alumni Chapel Christmas Tree Assembly City Park Night Fall Fest Family Science Night Feast of Lights Fine Arts Week Graduation Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day Halloween Costume Parade Little Saints Parade Panther Pals Panther Pride Day Pumpkin Patch Thanksgiving Feast

SOMETHING SPECIAL ■ 8th grade leadership program ■ Chapel services ■ Character development programs for lower and middle school ■ Coding program ■ Educating for environmental, cultural, and economic sustainability ■ International visitors ■ Laptops, iPads, and tablets for all grades ■ Learning Specialist ■ One-to-one device program for 6th– 8th grades ■ Outdoor kitchen and class gardens ■ Panther Pal Buddy Program ■ PAWS to Work ■ Professional media lab ■ Robotics ■ Spanish and Latin ■ STEM program

SPORTS TEAMS 3rd – 8th GRADE ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Basketball Cross country Flag football Soccer Swimming Tennis Volleyball

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ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL: AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY SCHOOL St. Paul’s Episcopal School admits students of any race, religion, national and ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities, generally made available to students at our school.

St. Paul’s does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national and ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability in violation of state or federal law or regulations in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic, and other school-administered programs.

St. Paul’s does not discriminate against any person in employment, or otherwise because of race, religion, national and ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability in violation of existing state or federal law or regulations.

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For more information or to arrange a private tour contact: Sylvia Parks, Director of Admissions sparks@stpauls-lakeview.org St. Paul’s Episcopal School 6249 Canal Boulevard New Orleans, LA 70124 504.488.1319 ■ Fax 504.304.8315 www.StPauls-Lakeview.org 1