Saint James School is Service*Academics*Faith*Excellence

Saint James School is a small Catholic school where every child thrives! Saint James School (SJS) just celebrated our 30th anniversary!  It was founded in 1992, by combining three local Catholic schools into one: Saint Joseph's, Saint Andre's and Saint Mary's. The first letter of each school was used to create the name James and Saint James School after Saint James the Greater.  In 2010, Notre Dame de Lourdes School also joined Saint James to create the only local Catholic school in the area.  We recognize the alumni of all these schools, as well as the closed Catholic schools, are part of Saint James School!  Saint James builds its branches on the roots of these schools and the religious brothers and sisters that started Catholic education in the area.  Thank you!

 

SJS provides a quality educational experience that teaches the whole child.  It integrates faith, service and learning in a values-based education that ensures every child that graduates from Saint James School will have the fundamentals needed to succeed in any path that they choose.  When you read the names on the honor roll at the area high schools and the top ten students, you will recognize many former Saint James students.  

 

Saint James School is fully licensed from the State of Maine and is fully accredited through New England Association of Schools and Colleges.  Check out this article about our accreditation.   

 

Check out this link to an article on our Students to Sisters program that appeared in Harvest magazine.  Or this link that highlights our STREAM (Science Technology Engineering Art Math) program.  These articles and the mission statement truly reflects who we are as a school.  We teach the whole child, we do not just teach academics but we teach our students to be caring and respectful and that is woven into all aspects of the school.  Our mission is who we are-

 

Saint James is a Catholic school within Good Shepherd Parish committed to fostering spiritual, intellectual, social, emotional, and physical growth in a S.A.F.E.* and collaborative family environment while empowering students of all faiths to be creative, to think critically, to act responsibly, and to serve with integrity.                       *Service - Academics - Faith - Excellence

 

Saint James School is S.A.F.E.

Service

  • Each month, students participate in "Casual for a Cause" where they decide upon a worthy charity in which to donate. This is decided upon by Student Council and it could be canned goods for the food pantry, scarves and mittens for the needy or money for charitable organizations. in the 2022-23 school year, Saint James donated over $8.724 to various charities by way of goods or a monetary donation.
  • 7th and 8th graders complete at least twenty hours of community service before going on their 8th grade class trip.
  • Respect, consideration and empathy are woven in all parts of the school day and is evident when you walk the halls.
  • Students learn about courage, gratitude, forgiveness and compassion in action at all grade levels.

Academics

  • An average class size is18 students and there is a waiting list in some grades.
  • STREAM (Science*Technology*Religion*Engineering*Art*Math) activities in grades K through 8
  • On average, 90% of students make the honor roll in their first semester of high school.
  • On average, 50% of students graduate high school in the top 10% of their class because of the foundation they received while at Saint James School. 
  • For the last several years, nationally normed tests shows on average that three quarters of students score within the distinguished or proficient category in reading and math.
  • Students in prekindergarten through fifth grade learn about French language and in middle school, students choose Spanish or French to study during their middle school years.  
  • Enrichment period offers the opportunity to work with teachers, start homework, finish projects or activities.  Students can also participate in extra activities.  This period at the end of the day has been most valuable for students.
  • Students in K-8 have a STREAM (Science-Technology-Religion-Engineering-Art-Math) class in addition to art, music, and PE.  Students in K-5 have a library class and students in 6-8 can visit the library during enrichment time.

Faith

  • Students start each day leading with a prayer and the pledge in front of the entire school.
  • Faith is embedded in the school day.
  • Mass is celebrated at Saint James School and students attend Mass at Saint Joseph Church once a month.  Younger students will take a bus and older students will walk to mass on Tuesdays.  
  • Religion classes are taught in the classroom and in practice.

Excellence

  • Voted Best Preschool for three years in a row and Best Private School for two years in a row
  • Full Day Kindergarten program.
  • Early Childhood program for three and four year olds with a flexible schedule to meet your needs.
  • Certified, qualified and knowledgeable staff.
  • Fully accredited through NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges)
  • Curriculum is aligned to the Archdiocese of Hartford Standards.
  • Competitive middle school sports teams and after school clubs.
  • Students can participate in a First LEGO League Robotics Club.  The team placed first in the state in 2019 in robotics and third overall!
  • Accessible tuition with scholarships and financial aid available.
  • Before care and after care are available from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
  • Fully licensed child care facility for three and four year olds with after care available.
  • Assignments and grades can be seen online so you always know how your child is doing and what work is missing.
  • Saint James School has a homemade hot lunch choice each day or students can create a sandwich at the sandwich bar.  Fruit and vegetable choices accompany the hot lunch or sandwich choice each day.  Saint James School has been a Gold School of Distinction for the lunch program and for promoting physical activity each day in many ways for many years.
  • Saint James School was one of 7% of the schools in the United States to receive the Silver Award through HUSSC: Healthier US School Challenge: Smarter Lunchrooms.
  • The actual cost of educating a child at Saint James School is over $8,000 a year.   Saint James reduces the cost of attending to $6,760 for students with an additional discount of $1560 for parishioners.  What a bargain and is an investment in your child!

Most importantly, SJS has a warm, friendly environment where all students succeed and grow into respectful, faith-filled young men and women. Saint James isn't just a school, we're a family, where we put "kid's first"!