St. Juliana Catholic School strives to educate students in mind, body and spirit. Faculty and staff aim to live this mission every day, which is reviewed regularly with among educators and with parents and students. At St. Juliana Catholic School, it is imperative that all stakeholders play a role in the students’ education. The faculty strive to be an example of what it means to live out the Catholic faith in efforts to be the bridge between church and school.
Notable Academics and Extracurriculars
Classrooms at St. Juliana Catholic School are equipped with SmartBoard and Smart TV technology. The 1:1 iPad program has been tremendously successful for the past six years because of the administration’s use of the program as an instructional tool to support educators and teaching techniques.
Students are encouraged to take part in a variety of reading programs at the school. Second through eighth grade students read more than 4,100 books annually in Accelerated Reader, and half of all students taking Accelerated Reader quizzes average a 90% or higher. This past year, four students received Double Digit Chapter Book Challenge medals, and 98 students received the Principal’s Challenge Award in reading, the most awarded ever.
Last year, the school implemented a new reading program using the Ortan-Gillingham method. Mrs. Amy McGuigan, a teacher with 20 years of experience in the classroom, spearheaded the program. Language arts educators foused on filling in the gaps that exist with students as they learn to read. The Ortan-Gillingham method made for an effective instructional tool in second grade students, specifically. After reviewing the data collected by the method’s tests, there was an extreme growth in reading for students who were struggling with the concepts. As a result, the Reading Resource Program was applied to grades K-4. By Christmas of last year, huge gains were made in reading among targeted students.
There is a wide variety of team sports for older grades and intermural sports for younger grades. Most notably, St. Juliana Catholic School won second place in the Varsity Diocesan Soccer Tournament, taking home the Bishop’s Cup. The Cheerleading Squad won second place at the Diocese Competition. Clubs, such as the National Junior Honor Society, Art Society and Mileage Club Exercise Program are strong extracurriculars at the school, and band, dance and karate are available to all age levels.
Individualized Attention Tailored to Each Student
Advanced classes are offered for gifted students, and resources are available to reach all levels of student learning. Some classes are offered to students through Florida Virtual School (FLVS) and provide a variety of custom solutions for schools and districts to meet student needs.
The focus of St. Juliana’s PK-3 program is to foster a love of learning through discovery and play. Children are engaged in stimulating, age-appropriate activities that help them make connections and develop an awareness of the world around them. Classroom environments, led by caring and energetic teachers, are warm and welcoming. Opportunities for choice and creative expression abound through flexible, relevant learning experiences.
St. Juliana’s PK-4 teachers use the Starfall program. Starfall is a Reading and Language Arts curriculum that is motivational and engaging for both children and teachers. This curriculum ensures children are actively involved and guided to direct their own learning through observing, questioning, imitating and discovery.
Fostering of Spiritual Growth in Faculty and Students
Students participate in all aspects of the Mass held every Friday. Prayer partners read and share with younger students each week. Every class attends a retreat and participates in a service project, which includes staff. Students attend religion class on all levels every day, pray before each class and before lunch. Everything done throughout the day relates back to the Gospel values instilled through school curriculum.
Initiatives in Support of a Wholistic Education
Students in third, fourth and fifth grade participated in a service retreat in April and made para-cord bracelets for service men and woman. The school’s Advent service project produced more than 150 Blessing Bags with personal hygiene products for the Deacon Miguel/SJC Social Outreach Ministry. A food drive was held at Thanksgiving and students participated in a clothing drive during Catholic Schools Week.
The Moms and Dads Club created a wonderful sense of community through several activities, and they provide the school with many invaluable services on a daily basis. These programs help to shape and enrich the St. Juliana School community while setting an example for children to lead a selfless service driven life. Parents and teachers form a partnership to develop a Catholic spirit in students by working to unlock their God given potential.
