Fully accredited by the Northwest Accreditation Commission, St. Paul Parish School offers a range of academic programs – from science to reading to religion to Spanish – and a host of enrichment activities, including music, drama, physical education, computer technology and sports. Catholic education profoundly shapes the lives of our students because faith enriches learning.
Our school provides a well-balanced spiritual and academic experience and serves the individual needs of all students. Reading specialists are available to every child, and instructional assistants help in every classroom. We offer the latest classroom technologies to foster learning, including SMART Boards, Classroom Performance Systems and sound amplification systems. Classroom sizes are capped at 30 students. Our total enrollment is around 300 students in preschool through 8th grade.
Located next to St. Paul Catholic Church, our school is deeply rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ expressed in the doctrine and tradition of the Roman Catholic Church. A Christian education is best realized by programs that seek to create the widest opportunities for students to receive systematic catechesis, to experience daily living in the Christian community, and to develop commitment and skill in service to others.
We are affiliated with state and national Catholic education organizations, including the Archdiocese of Portland and the National Catholic Education Association. The church is fully integrated into our school. Students participate in weekly buddy Masses and monthly school Masses. Additionally, the church serves as a venue for numerous school events, and our pastor plays an active role on campus. By the direction of the Archbishop of Portland and canon law, our pastor is responsible for all parish endeavors, including the school and the hiring of the school principal. The principal oversees the day-to-day operations of the school and maintains a close working relationship with the pastor.
Students are taught to live a life of faith, to give service to others and to give praise to God. The St. Paul curriculum promotes life-long learning and encourages our students to live the Gospel through their interactions with others.
St. Paul Parish School is welcoming and proud of its traditions. Our involved parents welcome new families and help instill the values that keep people in the St. Paul community. Parents, teachers and staff are part of a team that works together to assure the spiritual, intellectual, physical and social development of our children. Many of our parents and teachers are also graduates, which speaks volumes about our program.
All of our students embrace our Schoolwide Learning Expectations (SLEs), which serve as daily reminders of our approach to learning. Our emphasis on educating the whole child starts with these spiritual, intellectual, physical and social tenets. We expect our students to act upon these expectations and incorporate them into their daily lives.