Why St. Al’s

 Spiritual

Students at St. Al’s have the unique opportunity to be a part of both the diocesan and Jesuit Catholic communities. St. Aloysius Church, although a diocesan parish, is staffed by Jesuit priests. The school and parish work closely together to provide abundant opportunities for the spiritual development and faith formation of our students and their families. Students participate in all-school Masses, grade-level Masses and prayer services, as well as classroom prayer, lunch prayer, and all-school Monday Morning Prayer. They study and observe the liturgical year along with other Catholic prayer traditions such as lighting of Advent wreaths, Jesse Tree prayer, Stations of the Cross, and Living Rosary. We celebrate all holy days with Mass if we are in school. St. Al’s students know God as a loving father, and they grow in awareness of their own calling to be followers of Christ.

Intellectual

St. Aloysius Gonzaga Catholic School follows the diocesan cycle of curriculum revision and study. Each year, the diocesan school office organizes a committee of educators from around the diocese, including representation from the elementary schools and Gonzaga Prep, to review and revise one curricular area. The committee considers local and national standards related to the curricular area, as well as the mission of our schools. St. Aloysius faculty then studies its implementation of the curricular objectives, studying what is taught, how it is taught, and how assessment is used in relation to the curriculum.

Emotional

As a ministry of St. Aloysius Parish, the school welcomes a diverse group of students, each individually valued. We believe that parents, as primary educators of their children, work in partnership with our teachers and staff. The St. Al’s School community creates and upholds a safe and respectful learning environment. We foster a positive learning environment for each child which stresses academic excellence and inspires each child to reach their fullest potential through a child-centered curriculum that includes developmentally appropriate methodology, values human diversity, teaches responsibility and leadership, and educates for social justice and global awareness. The school community supports the children to develop spiritually, morally, intellectually, socially, and physically to their own greatest potential. Our school provides an understanding of Catholic beliefs and an opportunity for practicing the faith, as well as encourages, in Jesuit tradition, commitment to doing justice in generous service to the world.

Physical

The primary goal of the Physical Education and Athletics programs at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Catholic School is to give glory and praise to God by incorporating physical activity into the daily lives of our students. In class, on the field, and on the court, students are expected to treat one another with respect, kindness, compassion and care through collaboration and participation in physical activities, games, and sports. Our ultimate goal is for students to develop a lifetime passion for and habit of participation in physical activities that can sustain fitness while further developing their relationship with God as they learn to navigate the interwoven health of body, mind, and spirit.