In the fall of 2018, we will welcome 16 4th graders! Construction has begun! We hired Cicada Architecture Planning and MayDay Construction to creatively expand and reconfigure the current ground-floor art classroom as the new 4th grade classroom and art room.
The Board of St. James School approved an expansion to 4th grade for the 2018-2019 school year because one of the most important changes we can make to ensure future success for students is to engage them in the St. James School Community earlier in life. We know — and research clearly shows — that if we can intervene, and provide a high quality education earlier in a child’s formative years, his or her academic outcomes will improve dramatically.
Practically speaking, enrolling younger students gives them longer to catch up. Earlier intervention also captures students at a developmentally critical stage, and leads to marked improvement in reading, writing, and math skills, and a deeper understanding of scientific concepts.
The art room will be expanded and reconfigured to meet the needs of an elementary school classroom. In addition, the school’s staff bathrooms and laundry facilities – adjacent to the art room – are currently only accessible via the art room. Ms. Sarah Carroll, Admissions Coordinator, has already recruited half of the new 4th grade class. “Explore St. James” events for prospective students and families have been scheduled throughout the spring and summer. During these “explore” events, students and families are exploring cooking, faith life, instrumental music, art, science, STEM and the outdoors.
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