As part of Lumen Accreditation, Catholic schools of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis participate in the Catholic School Study to ensure that students faithfully receive a high-quality Catholic education. The Study includes an onsite visit, which provides schools with an opportunity to highlight how they are excelling in the Archdiocesan Principles of Excellence.
Our Catholic schools are serving students and families in remarkable ways, and we are proud to share their good work more broadly. Here, we commend Hill-Murray School and Saint John’s Catholic School for their work in two Principles of Excellence: Academic Achievement and Integration, and Access.
An aspiration for every Catholic school is to be a school for all, including the most vulnerable. Especially now, to be “a Catholic school for all” often means creating an educational environment that serves students with a variety of learning and social needs. Hill-Murray School in Maplewood and Saint John’s Catholic School in Little Canada are examples of Catholic schools that take this calling seriously and are meeting the needs of the Church and families in beautiful ways.
Hill-Murray School
Maplewood
Hill-Murray School holds all students to high standards and challenges them to meet their goals. Students continually score well beyond state and national averages in educational achievement. The school’s commitment to excellence stems from its dedication to supporting all students in their academic, social, physical and spiritual growth.
To do this, Hill-Murray founded the Nicholas Center, named after Saint Nicholas, patron of children and students. With more than 30 staff members, the Nicholas Center supports students who learn differently, including dyslexia, dysgraphia and ADHD. Nearly 25% of Hill-Murray’s student population access resources through the Nicholas Center, including one-on-one tutoring, strategic study skills support, reading labs and counseling services, all supported by a counseling team that includes an in-house clinical psychologist.
“The Nicholas Center at Hill-Murray works with families to customize their child’s learning experience through assessment and intervention,” says President Melissa Dan. “Students who have worked in the Nicholas Center learn to advocate for themselves, develop their strengths and thrive.”
Saint John’s Catholic School
Little Canada
Saint John’s Catholic School accommodates students with an array of neurodiversity through its programming:
- Intensive tutoring for students diagnosed with dyslexia
- Learning strategies
- An in-house option for middle schoolers who need academic or executive functioning support
- Interventionists to target reading and math, and
- Various modifications to respond to student needs.
The school has become a magnet for families because faculty and staff are equipped to serve all students.
“We’re incredibly proud of the supportive learning environment we’ve cultivated at Saint John’s School of Little Canada,” says Principal Dan Hurley. “By working closely with students, families and our dedicated staff, we’re providing the necessary tools and resources to help all students achieve academic excellence and build a strong foundation for future success.”