Philosophy & Mission Statement

Saint James School Mission Statment »

St. James School advances the educational mission of the Church by serving students of various cultures, who come from the local faith and military communities. St. James provides all students an opportunity for educational excellence and religious formation in the Catholic intellectual tradition, and challenges them with a curriculum of the highest caliber. Faith formation is an integral part of the entire educational experience, not a discrete course. We integrate Christian values into each child’s learning experience and social interactions, calling on them to learn how to respect each other and all life. We educate the whole child, body and mind, heart and soul, in order to prepare the children of our school to be contributing Christian citizens of tomorrow’s society.

Saint James School Philosophy »

Purpose of Education

We at St. James School believe that Catholic education develops in children an attitude of true Christianity. We believe that the purpose of education is the growth and development of the whole person, mind, body and spirit.

Religious Dimension

We believe:

  1. The Gospel message must be taught and sacramental preparation must be provided.
  2. The children must be taught Christian moral values in the home, in the classroom, through regular instruction, by the positive example of the family, faculty, and staff on a daily basis
  3. Students must be provided with opportunities for prayer, worship, and Christian service to the community.

The Way Children Learn

We believe:

  1. Children learn best when they are fully involved in learning activities.
  2. We also believe that the depth and style of involvement should correlate with their physical and intellectual level of development.
  3. All students have the ability to learn and are responsible for their own learning; therefore, they should have the opportunity to develop to their fullest potential as individuals committed to their vocation as students.

Role of Curriculum

We believe:

The students and faculty are partners in learning. Through our educational programs we foster parent awareness of student progress, strive to create and enhance in each individual a positive self concept, incorporate all aspects of quality and sound moral education, teach the basic skills and augment the skills of critical thinking and self-direction necessary to function in future society as a contributing person.
The parents are the primary educators of their children with their teachers as their partners. To achieve this, communication and cooperation between and among students, parents, and staff is vital to a healthy Catholic school environment.
The utilization by the teacher of a variety of learning methods benefits the individual needs of each student. We believe our purpose is to enhance and expand the students’ interests and skills. The students are expected to participate in the learning process appropriate to their developmental levels, and take responsibility for their actions.