More than five hundred people attended the State of the School information session for Saint Albert the Great Parish School on Tuesday, September 22, in the church proper. St. Albert the Great (SATG) School offers a faith based education for more than 800 students in grades pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. The school participates in the greater life of the parish by encouraging a sense of welcome and satisfaction within the Sunday worship, participation in service activities to bring the gospel to life through actions that enhance the lives of others, and to teach, build and foster family centered activities of faith and sharing.
Principal Ed Vittardi reviewed the accomplishments of 2014 – 2015 and looked forward to 2015 – 2016. Vittardi referred to a few verses from a Letter of St. Paul to the Phillippians: “Finally brothers, whatever is True, whatever is Honorable, whatever is Pure, whatever is Gracious, if there is any Excellence, and if there is anything Worthy of Praise, think about these things.” Vittardi centered on the link between learning, acting and thinking about what is True, Honorable, Pure, Lovely, Gracious, Excellent and Worthy of Praise. SATG School is certainly praise worthy; it was ranked as one of the 2015 top places to work by The Cleveland Plain Dealer. This year the staff includes 13 new teachers and intervention specialists. They are backed by a School Advisory Council, an enthusiastic Parent Teacher Organization, a skilled administrative staff, the parish congregation, and the wholehearted support of Pastor Edward Estok and assistant vicars. Fr. John Pfeifer and Fr. Joseph Kim.
This year’s enrollment increased to 846 students, the largest since 2007. The preschool class has grown to 90 students. In addition to the majority of the students that are from our North Royalton/Broadview Hts. school district over 250 come from 11 other districts including Parma, Strongsville, Berea, Hinckley, Medina, Brunswick, and Revere. This represents a wide reach of three counties; Cuyahoga, Medina, and Summit. SATG School is one of the largest parish schools in the Dioceses of Cleveland with one of the lowest tuitions.
SATG School provides a well-rounded academic program including art, music, Spanish language instruction, and physical education in a faith centered environment. In this academically rich and supportive environment most students achieve a grade point average of 3.00 (B) or better or show strengths in separate subject areas. Many students receive academic recognition from participation in programs such as: Power of the Pen, a writing competition; Science Fair competitions with recognitions for exhibits in engineering, health and medicine, zoology, and space science.
The Mustang Code encourages everyone to Do what is Right, Do the best you can, and Treat others as you wish to be treated in school and in the greater community. Students have donated toys to Cops for Kids’ Christmas Drive, fleece blankets to Fairview Hospital Pediatric Unit, Care boxes to our military, over 8,000 canned goods to Harvest for Hunger, and many man hours of elbow grease with 160 families involved in the Parish Day of Service.
This school year is already improved by the addition of the playground project which includes the play equipment, BUDDY BENCH, and increased wheelchair accessibility. The physical accessibility, safety, and attractiveness of the building have been enhanced by repurposing rooms, and continued maintenance, repair and replacement of equipment as needed. Within the classroom walls there will be IXL computer enhanced Math program, STEM pilot program for grade 3-5, Enrichment Reading for grades 2 – 6, IPAD 1 to 1 extended to encompass grades 6-8, and for grades 5 – 8 social activities that may include a dance.
Vittardi mentioned many more activities and improvements that weave seamlessly into the fabric of St. Albert, a great parish school. He concluded by thanking everyone for their support and stated, “I am incredibly excited about our future together.” Learn more about St. Albert the Great School at www.saint-albert.org.