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 gives schools 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 Nativity of Our Lord Catholic School for its excellent work in: Effective Governance, Leadership and Teaching and Professionalism of Leadership, Faculty and Staff
Nativity of Our Lord Catholic School
St. Paul
The Church asks Catholic schools to make use of the best pedagogical practices for teaching and learning to help students be well prepared for life. Nativity of Our Lord Catholic School is commended for its faculty’s culture of growth and professionalism that leads to high quality academic instruction. Because faculty members consistently speak to the seriousness of their work, it is no surprise that Nativity’s academic program is strong. Teachers understand the gravity of their work and they show up to do it.
Nativity’s pastor and principal model a professional relationship that sets the expectations for other faculty members. The pastor and principal meet weekly to discuss current successes and challenges. They also attended an Archdiocesan parish leadership retreat with the parish business administrator and reported learning how to better understand their individual leadership styles and how each approach conflict. The leadership team’s spirit of openness amid similarities and differences exemplifies the importance of this approach to collaboration for the greater school community.
Assisting this culture of professionalism is the importance school leadership places on hiring and ongoing professional support for each teacher in the school. The principal intentionally considers each teacher’s particular gifts and how best to put those gifts at the service of the students at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic School. Recognizing and applying these skills begins in the interviewing process and continues over a teacher’s tenure.
“School leadership regularly aims to position us teachers where we would be most successful. This intentionality helps all of us to be our best so that we can give our best to every student,” one teacher notes.
“The mission of Nativity of Our Lord Catholic School is to help each child grow into the person God has called them to be through Faith, Academics and Character,” says Principal Kate Wollan. “We believe each student is a child of God whose gifts and talents are discovered, nurtured and celebrated. It is a joy to accompany our students and their parents through this educational journey.”