Testimonials
From a parent of one of our first graduates:
We chose St. Paul’s Academy for our daughter to support her need for a structured, academic yet caring atmosphere.
We think that the school provides a robust, academic curriculum while supporting the students with a strong moral code. It also provides opportunities to travel and experience a variety of opportunities. The school’s nurturing environment and sensitive staff encourages a strong sense of community service, personal responsibility and a stimulating set of experiences.
As a result, Rachel graduated from SPA in 2011 as a college-bound, independent, organized, self-confident and self-directed learner with a strong sense of accomplishment.
Robert Ball and Jane Gordon-Ball
Read at the September 8, 2011 new building dedication:
Good Evening everyone. I’m Lainey Lesh, a current 9th grader here at St. Paul’s Academy, and I would just like to start by thanking every one of you here tonight. Without your hard work and support, this building never would have been possible.
This is my third year here at St. Paul’s Academy. I had been home schooled my whole life up until 7th grade, when I finally decided I was ready for a change. As you can imagine, I was terrified on the first day of school, never having gone to a real school before. I knew I would do fine academically, but I was scared socially. We all hear those stories about the mean blond girl and her clan. But when I walked through the doors of St. Paul’s Academy, and took a seat in the back of the room, the people around me started shaking my hand, asking me what my name was, and where I lived. All through that day, and all through the years to come, every one was nice. Nice to me, nice to each other, and nice to the teachers. How St. Paul’s has managed to create this level of respect between the students, teachers, and parents I really don’t know, but thank you.
St. Paul’s has taught me to work efficiently and effectively, to be creative and open minded, and to always do my best. These are traits that you can either learn the hard way, later, or the easier way, sooner. But never the less, they are life long skills that you must have to be successful. And thank goodness I have been given the opportunity, the learning space, and the environment to learn these skills early on.
Through out my three years here at St. Paul’s I have not only grown and been encouraged academically, but also through extracurricular activities. The school has done charity drives, soup kitchens, field trips, overseas travels, sports, dances, music concerts, science fairs, and every thing in between. Fortunately, I have had the honor and opportunity to be a part of all of it.
Over the summer my parents and I had quite a few long discussions about what the best options for my high school education would be. Different choices kept popping up, Sehome, Squalicum, Nooksack Valley, Community Collage, boarding school in Boston, and a few others. But I could not forget the most important thing at St. Paul’s to me, and how much I love them for it: The teachers. It’s as simple as that. Every day I go to school and I know that every single teacher here cares. They want me to do my very best, and succeed to my fullest. And most of all they are willing to go that extra couple of miles, and I know that they’ll be running the whole way.
St. Paul’s has come so far and achieved so much over the years, this school has fantastic potential. I would just like to say one more thank you to St. Paul’s Academy, and every thing they have done to help the students and community of Bellingham. Thank you.
Read at the September 8, 2011 new building dedication:
Hello everyone, my name is Juliana Gholam. I have been a student at St. Paul’s academy since I was 2 years old In toddler care and I am now I am 13 years old in eighth grade. This year will be my twelfth year attending St. Paul’s!
The impact St. Paul’s has made on me is amazing. I have had opportunities most kids wouldn't get, and I have made so many memories to look back at and there will be many more that I'm looking forward to. But the real impact that St. Paul’s has made on me is the community. At St. Paul’s I haven't only made friends but I've made family . . . Besides the actual family I have had with me all these years.
SPA has always had a very good curriculum that will challenge you when you need, this has really been helpful in preparing for high school especially now in middle school. Here at SPA we are just about always taking higher classes than in public schools. This will be very helpful in high school because I will always be a step further than I need to be.
During my years at SPA I have done many extra curricular activities and sports. While in elementary school I did art classes, chess, creative writing, and many more. Now in middle school I am all for sports, especially volleyball and basketball. I have only been playing basketball and volleyball for two years and because of Mr. Sytsma (the PE teacher and Athletic Director) my dream is to pursue my basketball or volleyball career with a scholarship to Stanford. I know this will be hard but with knowledge from St. Paul’s and my athletic skills learned from Mr. Sytsma, I know I can do it.
Being able to watch the school grow and move from building to building has been an incredible experience. St. Paul’s is something that is just unforgettable; it’s where I've just about grown up. It has been an honor attending St. Paul’s Academy and I want to thank all of you who have helped make an amazing school where I have been growing up. And I would also like to thank my family because if it weren't for them I wouldn’t be here making this speech right now.
Videos
St. Paul's Academy and our school community!
St. Paul's 2011 Television Commercial
