Catholic schools spotlight: St. Jerome Catholic School
January 31, 2012
GENERAL INFORMATION
Co-ed, pre-kindergarten through eighth grade
8825 Kempwood
Houston, 77080
Phone: 713-468-7946
Principal: Patricia Jackson
www.stjeromehou.org/school.htm
ABOUT ST. JEROME CATHOLIC SCHOOL
St. Jerome School was established in 1962. With a low student/teacher ratio, St. Jerome serves the needs of students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. St. Jerome School is accredited by the Texas Catholic Conference Education Department, an accrediting agency approved by the Texas Education Association.
HOUSTON — Prayer. Laughter. Challenges. High-fives! At St. Jerome Catholic School, praying together, laughing together, facing challenges together and celebrating together is part of daily life. Faculty and parents challenge students to grow in a healthy environment.
As a ministry of St. Jerome Catholic Community, St. Jerome Catholic School partners with teachers and parents in the formation of each child in heart, mind and spirit. According to St. Jerome Principal Patricia Jackson, students develop Christian values which they can apply to all facets of their lives.
“Faith building at St. Jerome is not just a religion class,” Jackson said. “Throughout each day, praying and sharing values is infused into the teaching and learning process. We have conversations about choices, values, ethics and moral obligations. Children and faculty create an ongoing faith-filled learning dialogue. Children participate in daily prayer, weekly Mass or paraliturgies, feast days and Church celebrations all while learning the meaning and importance of each of these components to our faith.”
Jackson added that a rigorous academic curriculum challenges students to become critical thinkers and problem solvers. Teachers engage students in core content areas such as: religion, language arts, social studies, sciences (including integrated physics and chemistry) and math (including pre-algebra and algebra). Technology is taught as a class and integrated into the learning process. Students also learn health concepts, Spanish, participate in physical education and learn, perform music and band.
Students are taught some curriculum outside the classroom. A few examples are:
Fifth-graders spend a week at Camp Kappe for the Archdiocesan environmental science experience.
Seventh-graders visit the state capitol in Austin as a part of Texas history studies.
Eighth-graders take trips to Vicksburg, Miss. and Washington, D.C. to enhance their studies of American history.
“Creating connections and happy memories drives children to want to go to school everyday,” Jackson said. “Catholic Schools are set apart from other private and public schools because the thread of our faith is woven through all areas of development for children. Driving all activities on campus is our faith. Our Catholic faith.” †
— INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY PATRICIA JACKSON