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We’re happy you’d like to learn more about a Catholic education. For more than 175 years, our schools have a rich heritage of providing a faith-based education to students in West Tennessee. There are 9 parish elementary schools and 1 diocesan High School and one parish unit (k-12) school. Here, you’ll learn more about the type of education our schools provide:
Experience Our Schools
A Catholic education helps parents develop young people who lead by example, serve others and excel academically. Affordable tuition and financial assistance make it possible for any student to experience this development at our schools.
It’s easy to visit one of our campuses or learn more about a school. We welcome you to learn more about the schools your family is interested by contacting each schools directly.
Academics
Students experience strong academic growth through rigorous curriculum, including instruction in core academic subjects and daily religion classes. The programs also integrate arts, health and technology, with honors, dual enrollment and AP opportunities available. Programs for those with special learning needs are offered at many of our schools. Students at all grade levels enrich their experiences by taking part in the camaraderie of sports, clubs and community service projects
In 2018, our graduates outperformed students nationally on every ACT test, and they were awarded more than $22.4 million in merit-based scholarships. Our small class size -which averages from 15 to 25 students – allows each teacher, faculty member and principal to provide a supportive atmosphere where the student feels valued as a part of the school family.
Spiritual Development
Each student’s spiritual development is nurtured through a values-based education that follows the teachings of Christ. Students of all denominations and faiths are welcome, and each student has the opportunity to practice faith virtues through workship and service. In addition to daily religion classes, students may further their spiritual development through adoration, daily prayer and community service involvement.
As a part of the mission of the Roman Catholic Church, the Diocese of Memphis in Tennessee Catholic School system is committed to preparing students to be courageous and faithful Disciples of Christ by providing a solid spiritual, intellectual, emotional and physical formation under the guidance of the Blessed Virgin Mary in union with the Roman Catholic Church.
System Belief Statement
Our Catholic Schools System mission is rooted in the Magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church, Sacred Scripture, and Canonical Procedures and these drive all decisions.
Regardless of where you stand on the debate currently raging over school discipline, one thing seems certain: Self-discipline is far better than the externally imposed kind.
Over the years, Catholic schools have been particularly committed to the formation of sound character, including the acquisition of self-discipline. But how well has that worked? We wanted to know whether students in Catholic school actually exhibit more self-discipline than their peers—and if so, what those schools can teach other public and private schools about how it can be fostered.
To lead the study, we recruited Michael Gottfried, Associate Professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). Jacob Kirksey, a doctoral student at UCSB, helped to analyze the data and co-wrote the report. To our knowledge, theirs is the first study to explore the potential effects of Catholic schooling on elementary students’ self-discipline.
Gottfried and Kirksey analyzed two waves of nationally representative data on elementary school students that were collected as part of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten (ECLS-K).
Their analysis revealed three key findings.
It is important to recognize that these findings are not causal. Despite the authors’ efforts to construct a plausible control group, there may be unobservable differences between Catholic and other private school students. Still, the findings suggest three key takeaways.
To the extent that school choice programs can widen access to great schools that provide an academic boost and promote self-discipline—Catholic or otherwise—they deserve our eternal support.
St. Ann Bartlett
LIFE Program Learning Individualized for Excellence (LIFE) Grades 1-8.
The LIFE program at St. Ann School is offered in the areas of math and reading in conjunction with the regular classroom program. Instruction is given at a pace commensurate with the student’s ability. The program uses the same texts as the regular classroom. Multi-sensory approaches are used in small group settings.
SPARKS– SPARKS is a program designed for gifted students in grades 3-8. Entrance into the program is to meet two of these four criteria:
o Total English Language Arts (ELA) score of 90% or above on the ITBS Test
o Total Math 90% or above on the ITBS Test
o Total Science score of 90% or above on the ITBS Test
o Total Social Studies score of 90% or above on the ITBS Test
· Only the IOWA Test of Basic Skills given at St. Ann School will be used to determine
giftedness.
· New students to St. Ann must wait until testing at St. Ann to gain acceptance into the
program, unless they have already been in a gifted program in another school and they
receive a recommendation from their teacher to remain in a gifted program.
· All students must re-qualify each year into the program in grades 3-7 (7th
grade students are exempt if the student was in our program in the 7th grade). Contact St. Ann School Principal, Mr Didier Aur 901-373-1226 for more information.
St. Benedict at Auberndale
PLUS Program The PLUS Program is a part of the St. Benedict college prep curriculum. The program serves students with a diagnosed learning disability and an average to above average intelligence in preparation for college.
Acceptance to the PLUS Program is based on a psychological evaluation that is no more than three years old, previous school records, the high school placement test, interviews with the student and parents and in-house testing, if needed. The evaluation team reviews these documents, and recommendations are presented to the applicant’s parent. Placement in other special programs does not guarantee acceptance in St. Benedict’s PLUS Program.
Students in SBA’s PLUS Program must follow and pass the curriculum mandated by the state of Tennessee in order to receive a high school diploma from St. Benedict. No IEP is written; however, a Profile is developed from the psychological testing that consists of the student’s strengths, weaknesses, accommodations and learning difficulty.
The small teacher/pupil ratio, individual and classroom accommodations, parental support and positive teaching result in a strong work ethic and academic growth which instills confidence and builds selfesteem in our students. Accommodations recommended in the diagnostic testing which hinder the preparation for higher education may not be offered.
Students enrolled in the PLUS Program may take some traditional or honors classes and schedules are reviewed yearly in order to meet individual needs.
The PLUS Program has helped many students graduate from high school by giving them the ability and skills to continue their education. However, it is a rigorous college prep program. Parents and the students must be committed to the high standards of the college prep curriculum.
For the forms required to complete and submit an application, please refer to the Admissions Process section. Please note the two additional items required for application to the PLUS Program. Contact Terry Dickens, 901-260-2840 for more information.
Holy Rosary
Learning Lab. The Learning Lab program is offered to students experiencing significant academic difficulty. Learning Lab for grades K-6 is a supplemental class to enhance the regular classroom curriculum. The student meets with a certified Special Education teacher at least three times each week for Math and/or Language Arts.
Our goal for each student is to build on his strengths, help him to be successful and transition back to the regular classroom. Learning Lab is divided into three groups: K-3, grades 4-6 and Junior High. Contact Holy Rosary School Assistant Principal
Mrs. Anne Gardino 901-685-1231 for more information.
STEM is a curriculum based on the idea of educating students in four specific disciplines — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — in an interdisciplinary and applied approach. During STEM lab, students are given challenges they have to solve. They are encouraged to be creative and to learn from things that go wrong as well as successes. Students also learn to work in cooperative groups.
Currently students from PreK3 through 8th grade attend STEM lab once a month.
The QUEST PROGRAM is designed to provide learning opportunities for the academically talented/gifted student. This program is a supplement to the general classroom curriculum within the regular school day. The objectives of the program are as follows:
Develop the students’ intellectual and creative abilities through challenging learning situations using a variety of processes and applications.
Provide learning activities to promote the development of critical thinking and problem solving skills, independent research methods and investigations, and advanced communication skills.
Assist the students to become more independent and effective learners.
Nurture personal growth and skills of interaction and leadership.
Promote a lifelong love of learning.
Currently qualified students in grades 3 through 6 attend Quest for 1 ½ hours per week.
ANGEL Program– (Autism iNtervention and Guidance for Early Learner).This is a year round classroom program based on the principals of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). The classroom focuses on functional language skills based upon each student’s skill levels. Every student’s program in unique. There are no more than 4 students per teacher. For admission, they require copies of previous tests and evaluations. Admission is based on availability and student need.
If you would like information about the Angel Program at Holy Rosary School please contact Anne Gardino at 901-259-3270 or anne.gardino@holyrosarymemphis.org
Holy Rosary The Learning Center. The TLC Program is a program for children with language-based learning differences. Teacher-student ratios are 1:4 which allows for individualized instruction. Basic skill are taught through visual, auditory, tactile and kinesthetic methods based on the Orton-Gillingham approach. These students will still be integrated with all students in “specials” classes, lunch, recess, performances, school events, and athletics.
QUEST– Quest is a supplement to the general classroom curriculum for academically talented/gifted students
4841 Park Avenue
Memphis, TN 38117
(901)685-1231
Fax (901)-818-0335
http://www.holyrosarymemphis.org
St. Louis – Learning Lab. The Learning Lab program offers additional help to students in k-8 who need extra support in the areas of math and language arts. Using a multi-sensory approach within a small group setting, Learning Lab provides individualized instruction focusing mainly on in-class support.
The Enrichment Program (SOARing) SOARing is for students in grades 4-6 who have high standardized test scores and cognitive ability and are high achievers in the classroom. It challenges students to use critical thinking skills and incorporate presentation, research, technology, and writing into the assignments.5192 Shady Grove
Memphis, TN 38117
(901) 225-1900
http://www.stlouismemphis.org
St. Francis of Assisi – Student Support Services
Student Support Services Team:
● Program Coordinator, Amy McDaniel amy.mcdaniel@sfawolves.org
● School Guidance Counselor, Maggie Tobias maggie.tobias@sfawolves.org
● Multiple Certified Special Education Teachers in our traditional classrooms
● Title I Reading Specialist
● Gifted Learning Instructor
Supporting Students with Diagnosed Learning Differences (K-8th)
Goals:
● Create a safe environment for learning
● Bridge the gap between academic performance and student potential
● Provide students with strategies and social emotional supports
● Empower students to become independent, self-advocators, and life-long learners
Teacher Training and Support:
● Certified Special Education Teachers assigned to a pod of grades (K-3, 4-6, 7-8)
to advise/assist with Learning Plans and modified instruction and assessments
● Ongoing professional development/training on teaching to various learning differences
Supporting Students at Traditional & Advanced Levels (2 y/o -8th grade)
Goals:
● Challenge and expand students’ learning
● Cultivate self-driven learners
● Promote creativity, critical thinking and reasoning skills
● Empower students to become independent, self-advocators, and life-long learners
Supporting Advanced Learners with Additional Enhanced Learning Experiences:
● Cultural discoveries and investigations
● Logic, puzzles, and authentic math / language arts activities
● Science lab/inventions/engineering projects
● *7th and 8th grade students can qualify for Advanced Math and Physical Science
With our Student Support Services Team available to all students, we are confident in our ability to continue our academic rigor. Meeting the needs of ALL of our students remains a hallmark of the educational experience we offer here at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School.
Please reach out to the Student Support Service Coordinator, Amy McDaniel, should you have further questions.
