Our Holistic Approach
More Than a School … a Community Anchor
Our co-founder Dr. Audrey Evans’ vision of “total care” guides everything we do at St. James. It was this same philosophy that inspired her to found the first Ronald McDonald House. To provide an excellent education, we focus on all of our students’ gifts, not just intellectual, but also spiritual, moral, emotional, creative, and physical. See what “total care” looks like in our gallery below: from our Health Center, to dental care, therapeutic services and robust community support.
Embracing students and families
Healthy Lunches
Healthy, fresh food is offered for breakfast, lunch and afternoon snacks. Students, faculty and staff eat together at lunch, which is served family-style at round tables, encouraging conversation.
Learn more about our wellness policy here.
Learn more about our wellness assessment tool here.
Health Center
Students can receive primary care services right here on campus in a timely and convenient manner. Nurse Dale Ayton uses a relationship-focused approach to support students and families’ health and wellness goals.
Health Center Highlights:
• Health Management Support
• Health Education
• Physical and Sports Exams
• Vaccine Clinics
• Mindfulness Instruction
Visiting Dentist
Thanks to our partnership with St. Christopher’s Foundation for Children’s Ronald McDonald Care Mobile Dental, a dentist’s office on wheels parks outside our school twice a year. The dentist and assistant provide routine cleanings, examinations, and minor procedures such as filling cavities.
Counseling
Our on-site mental and behavioral health professionals provide timely and targeted support for students who are experiencing social-emotional difficulties or need help to work through trauma or adversity.
• Social Skills Classes (maximize coping skills, emotional self management, self empowerment
• Parent Cafe (parenting / peer support groups)
• Boys and Girls Student Peer Groups
• Bridges to Community Health Resources and Collaboration
Guardians of St. James
Members of the school’s Family Guardian Association meet and work with school leaders on multiple initiatives each year, increasing the positive impact of parents and guardians on the school community.
Black Doctors Consortium
The Ala Stanford Center for Health Equity (ASHE), also known as Black Doctors Consortium (BDC), has joined with St. James to support our school-based health center, strengthen community family primary care services and support health education programs.
What a gift it is to have these healthcare leaders join in our campus activities and support bringing healthcare services to our community members! Visit the wesbite here.
Embracing the community
Spirituality
The school chaplain, Father Andrew Kellner, invites neighbors to find a spiritual home at The Church of St. James the Less. All are welcome at Mass.
Community Events
St. James School and RAH work together to host community-building social events, including a summer BBQ and children’s street carnival, and an outdoor jazz concert.
Welcome Table
The Welcome Table is our community outreach center. Food, clothing and other goods are donated and appreciated. Visitors can obtain spiritual counseling, take part in monthly pro bono legal clincs, and request minor home repairs.
RAH Association
Our school offers on-campus space for community meetings and celebrations. RAH, the local civic association, meets monthly in the schoolhouse to plan social events and discuss issues and challenges.
Sunday Night Dinner
Every Sunday night, Mass is followed by a community dinner, which has become a weekly celebration of fellowship. After dinner, neighborhood residents are invited to take home boxes of fresh food.