About
Our School
Mission
At Saint Paul Catholic School, teachers, parents, and students work together to create a safe, caring environment, based on Catholic values and service to others, which enables students to learn and develop spiritually, academically, emotionally, and physically.
Philosophy Statement
Called by Christ to spread His Word, Saint Paul Catholic School is an educational community of families that endeavors to
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Integrate our Catholic faith with learning, to educate the whole child
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Pursue academic excellence in a trusting and caring environment that serves the unique needs of each student
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Instill a lifelong commitment to learning, Catholic values, and community service
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Emphasize the joy of stewardship—sharing time, talent, and treasure—within our community, our country, and our world
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Develop each child’s God-given talents to the fullest potential
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Encourage children to listen for and be open to a calling to a vocation to religious life
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Educate each child to contribute responsibly to justice and respect for others
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Emphasize participation in athletics and other extracurricular activities that promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and develop mind, body, and spirit.
Panther Pillars
Tradition
At Saint Paul Catholic School, we celebrate student activities year after year which have become an integral part of our culture. Starting in Kindergarten, students are welcomed with the Guardian Angel Mass. Many favorite activities during the year include: Catholic Schools Week events like the volleyball game, favorite grade level field trips and service projects, Relay Recess, Thanksgiving Food Chain, and more. As students continue their educational journey with us, they celebrate many milestones and complete their time with us at a wonderful 8th grade banquet.
Value
Our staff and faculty endeavor to instill a lifelong commitment to learning, Catholic Christian principals and community service for each of our students. The students are required to strive for academic excellence and our teachers implement rigorous instruction. At Saint Paul Catholic School, our students understand the expectation that we are called to have respect, acceptance, service, integrity and kindness for ourselves and all we encounter. We recite our Character Pledge every school morning.
Community
The Saint Paul Catholic School community works hard to build bridges between students, families, parishioners, other organizations on the Saint Paul Catholic Community campus and the community in Valparaiso. We support each other through various events and activities including the Saint Paul Lifeteen and Edge program, Men’s and Women’s ministry, the Saint Agnes Adult Day Care and more. During our Family Friday programs or events like Catholic Schools week, we often fundraise and donate to community organizations or offer volunteer service. We humbly support our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Faith
The celebration of liturgies plays a vital part in the life of the students of Saint Paul Catholic School. A fully Christian life cannot be conceived without the participation in the liturgical services in which we gather together to celebrate the paschal mystery.
Saint Paul Catholic School At a Glance
Enrollment
279 students (178 elementary students in K-5; 101 middle-school students in grades 6-8)
Mascot
Panther
School Colors
Blue & Gold
Founded
1867
Accreditation
State of Indiana, AdvancED
Campus Size
42 Acres
School Building
14 classrooms, computer lab, mobile lab with laptops, library, art room, science lab, gymnasium, cafeteria, and enrichment room.
Religious Identity
As a Catholic school in the Diocese of Gary, all students participate in religion classes and attend Mass twice each school week. Click for the Diocesan Strategic Plan.
Percentage of Non-Catholic Students
11%
Number of Athletic Teams
16 (basketball, volleyball, cross country, track, soccer)
% of 5th-8th Graders in Band or Orchestra
17% of 5th graders, 20% of middle school students
Saint Paul Catholic School Offers
Hot lunch, bus service, speech service, band, orchestra, and choir through cooperation with Valparaiso Community Schools.
Grades K-5
Have Teacher Aides in the clasroom.
Grades 6-8
Are organized as a middle school, where students have lockers and change classes. Some middle school classes are divided into smaller sections.
After-School
Spanish classes, CYO sports, scouting programs, and children’s church choir are available.
Licensed/certified teachers instruct students in core academic subjects and subjects such as music and physical education. An enrichment teacher works with individual or small groups of students.
Saint Paul graduates go on to Valparaiso High School, Andrean High School, Marquette High School, Boone Grove High School, Hobart High School, Chesterton High School, Wheeler High School, Hebron High School, Culver Academies, LaLumiere School and others!