One focus of the education at St. Raphael’s School is instruction in academic and religious subjects. In these areas we can measure progress, analyze student strengths and weaknesses and structure instruction to help each individual student. While this type of work is not as simple as it may look in my short description it is easy to “document” or “demonstrate results”.

A second and equally important part of what we do at St. Raphael is to develop the whole person. The impact we make on this type of eduction is not easy to measure. It would be great is there was a test on spirituality, character, dedication, commitment, empathy, and critical thinking skills. While we cannot supply hard data we can demonstrate our impact on the students. Here are a few examples:

This past summer the teens of the parish were given an opportunity to express their gratitude for their faith formation. These students did a fantastic job of communicating what a positive impact St. Raphael’s School had on them.

Each year we hear from various high schools how well prepared our graduates are for handling the work load of high school while standing out in the classroom as positive members of the learning community.

Our students show compassion to each other daily. We see the students supporting each other in difficult tasks, lifting the spirits of a classmate that is having a bad day, and praying for each other and their teachers so all may have a good day.

Today we received a call from a gentleman whose yard we raked last year at the first Rake-a-thon. This man was so excited to have us come back and feels that this is one of the best things our students do for the community. He was impressed by how excited the students were to help him, how positive and polite the students were, and how they represented Jesus’ lesson of giving of oneself to others with grace.

When we hear these comments we know that we are having a positive impact on the students and this makes us excited to come to work each day.

As a member of the National Middle School Association, St. Raphael receives the monthly professional journal, Middle Ground. In The Family Connection part of the the October issue one topic covered was what is the best grade configuration for young adolescent students. The article has been inserted below.

2007 • Volume 12 • Number 2

Parents Want to Know …

What is the best combination of grades for a middle level school?
For elementary age children and high school age adolescents, the options are fairly limited—to elementary and high schools. But, young adolescents, ages 10 to 15, are often found in a variety of schools with different grade configurations. While research indicates there is no one best configuration, every different combination has advantages and disadvantages for young adolescents’ learning. Here are several of the most common.

• K–8 schools, where students stay together for their elementary and middle school years. Advantages: The lack of transitions from school to school and the opportunity to have a school community for nine years. Disadvantages: K–8 schools often do not have the wide range of course offerings in areas such as art, drama, foreign language, and computers.
• Separate middle level schools (whether called middle school, intermediate, or junior high school) usually include grades 5–8, 6–8, or 7–8. Advantages: These schools should be designed around the unique learning needs of 10- to 15-year-olds—active and engaging learning opportunities for all students, at least one adult who knows every young adolescent well, opportunities to explore a wide variety of both core and elective subjects, and preparation for high school that build on successful middle level practices.
• K–12, 7–12, or others. Advantages: Potentially, continuity and consistency in program and relationships. Disadvantages: When middle level and high schools are together, often the middle level becomes the “country cousin,” receiving less priority than the high school. In some instances, the high school practices, often inappropriate for young adolescents, are adopted or pushed on the middle level.

While any school with any set of grades can provide the proper environment, young adolescents deserve the same attention paid to their schooling that younger and older students receive. Whatever the grade configuration, how students are treated, the chances they have for close relationships with peers and teachers, and the opportunities they have for being engaged in high-level work are three key components in any middle level school.

As I read the article I was so pleased to reflect on the education we provide for our young adolecent students. First we offer an enriching program that includes; art, music, choir, Spanish, physical education and the core subjects of religion, science, literature, English, social studies and math. All of these subjects have technology integrated into their instruction.

To further enhance our program we have the fall musical and a variety of athletic teams along with the church youth group activites. Our teachers know the students and take a personal interest in each child and help them grow and develop.

When I give tours to potential families they are amazed of all we have to offer. What stands out to them is that we have a full range of programs that meet the educational and development needs for each age group we have in our school.