About Us
Vision
The vision of St. Paul’s Academy is to become a premier college preparatory school.
Mission
The Mission of St. Paul's Academy is to provide academically capable and willing students a rigorous course of instruction, emphasizing leadership, achievement and moral and spiritual development in the Christian tradition.
Association Philosophy
Small class sizes, superb teachers, and a rigorous but nurturing learning environment foster: students who interact with their classmates and teachers with kindness and generosity; individuals who make rational, ethical and intentional decisions; and citizens who lead joyful and productive lives.
Goals
The following goals are accomplished through our creative and innovative instructional methods and challenging curriculum, which encourage students to utilize their unique abilities and talents.
- To produce students who read, write and communicate effectively in English and who demonstrate proficiency in the sciences, math, civics, history and foreign language.
- To offer students opportunities for physical fitness.
- To produce students who appreciate and have knowledge of the fine arts: art, music, and drama.
- To produce students who think critically, analytically and creatively when solving problems and making decisions.
- To produce students who take pride in their work and successfully apply their academic and artistic talents to produce quality work.
- To raise social awareness and broaden students' outlooks through participation in a wide range of experiences so that they learn to cooperate with and learn from people of diverse backgrounds and life situations.
- To produce students who are lifelong learners who successfully apply their knowledge and skills to pursue further education or prepare themselves for the world and workplace.
- To produce students with strong spiritual and moral values who recognize that they are serving God by serving others.
History
The seeds for our school were sown in 1973, when a few visionary parishioners from St. Paul's Episcopal Church decided to create a new preschool on the chapel grounds. Their vision was for a school dedicated to giving children a stimulating educational start, in a nurturing environment, within the framework of the Episcopal tradition. The school was called Little Epistles' Preschool (LEPS).
In 1995, St. Paul's Episcopal Church built a new, modern parish hall. That new facility included a new educational wing of the basement for Little Epistles and three classrooms to form a new K-2 school, paid for by generous benefactors to the school. Building on the success of Little Epistles, St. Paul's Primary School was born!
Under the leadership of Susan Hess, the thriving school soon expanded its mission to a full elementary (K-5) program. It outgrew its space into other areas of the church building. By 2001, the school needed more space than the church could comfortably provide. At that time, the school embarked on its first capital campaign, and purchased and renovated a 17,000 sq. ft. building located eight blocks away on Northwest Avenue. The new facility, called the North Campus, allowed the school to expand its' program up to Grade 5, and later up to Grade 8. Having grown beyond its primary school mission, the school incorporated separately and was renamed St. Paul's Episcopal School. The LEPS program continued, as it does today, in its South Campus location at St. Paul's Episcopal Church where it leases space.
In 2004, a generous benefactor of the school acquired the abandoned nursing home on Victor Street near the North Campus. The school tore down the outbuildings and established a playfield for use by the Upper School. The property was acquired to give the school the space it would need to expand to a full K-12 program over time.
In 2006, planning toward the full K-12 program began in earnest. The Upper School program was launched in Fall 2007 with the addition of a 9th grade class -- the Class of 2011! The school began an Upper School capital campaign and, in June 2008, with the financial commitment of a core group of founding supporters, St. Paul's embarked on the construction of a new 50,000 sq. ft. upper school building
In 2008, the school was renamed St. Paul's Academy, a title that honors its history, but better reflects the school's independence and academic focus. The school is no longer affiliated, governed nor funded by any religious organization or denomination.
The Future
We look to the future full of optimism for our program and our students, and aspire to offer our students an education on par with the best schools in North America. Our hallmarks include a rigorous academic program delivered by outstanding teachers, in an environment that fosters deep inquiry, open discussion, spiritual growth, and the utmost respect for others and oneself. It has been a remarkable institutional journey, full of challenges and risks, but always with the unwavering goal of serving our students.
