• St. Anne provides a traditional education, combining time-proven concepts of instruction and discipline with modern technologies and a contemporary understanding of childhood learning processes - in a safe atmosphere of support, encouragement, and close personal attention.

• The School encourages a balance of the students' experience among academics, spirituality, physical well-being (including athletics), family involvement, and service to church and community. It instills in students an awareness of themselves and others as well as their civic responsibility to both community and country. Toward this end, St. Anne promotes economic and ethnic diversity in its student body.

• The School prepares the student to succeed with future responsibilities in education and society through the development of educational, academic, social, and religious discipline. St. Anne helps all students identify their unique God-given talents and broaden and strengthen those gifts and interests so they may pursue vocations. St. Anne believes education is a life-long process, of which formal schooling is an essential part.

• Spiritually, St. Anne is a Christian school teaching Judeo-Christian values in accordance with the Catholic tradition. All doctrines, worship and prayer practices are in accordance with the Catholic tradition. St. Anne believes in Christian unity, practicing ethnic and religious acceptance. Families of all faiths are welcome by St. Anne. The spiritual program is designed to preserve, enhance, and supplement the students' religious upbringing in their homes and churches. The School's goal for its students is that they become educated, thoughtful, wise, compassionate, and humble by living out the teachings of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. St. Anne teaches the dignity of each person and the sanctity of human life at all stages.

PHILOSOPHY

ACADEMICS

• St. Anne provides a traditional education, combining time-proven concepts of instruction and discipline with modern technologies and a contemporary understanding of childhood learning processes - in a safe atmosphere of support, encouragement, and close personal attention.

• St. Anne believes school children today need to be proficient in basic factual knowledge and develop the discipline necessary to learn. Modern educators stress “learning skills” and “self esteem.” St. Anne believes that students acquire these elements by addressing tangible facts, considering logical concepts, and using intelligent language. Through these methods, St. Anne teaches the skill of “thinking”.

• The curriculum developed at St. Anne offers a traditional, well-balanced core of subjects: art, computer training, English, foreign language, geography, grammar, history, literature, mathematics, music, natural sciences, phonics, physical education, reading, religion, social studies, spelling, and writing.

• Traditional literature appropriate to the age and ability of each child complements the use of textbooks. This provides children with reading materials of high quality, while stimulating their interest and introducing them to a rich literary heritage.

• The curriculum incorporates the best of the Western educational tradition with modern innovation in a creative, value-centered approach. Each student receives personalized instruction from teachers dedicated to the well-rounded development of the young mind.

• The School's goal is to impart the basic skills of reading, writing, speaking, listening, calculating, problem-solving, observing, measuring, estimating, critical reasoning, and discussion of great ideas and books, as well as appreciation of and participation in artistic activities such as music, drama, and the visual arts. All subjects are presented cumulatively, each level of difficulty building on previously acquired knowledge. Science is taught through field and laboratory studies, manipulation of objects, experiments and individual projects. Students progress logically through each aspect of mathematics, from counting and arithmetic to algebra and simple geometry. Computers, calculators and other learning devices enhance individual comprehension and provide enrichment. Computer instruction begins in kindergarten with students having access to the most recent technology. However, these computational aids are introduced only after basic understanding has been achieved.

• At St. Anne School, a uniform dress code in Grades K-8 enhances classroom decorum, reduces peer pressure and reinforces the precept of school as a place of structure and learning.

• As a liberal arts program, St. Anne is concerned about teaching the traditional values of reverence for God, while promoting the development of character. These teachings include the quest for truth, honesty, respect for others, humility, good citizenship, encouragement of positive relationships, service to one's community and nation, discipline, acquiring knowledge and wisdom, and the pursuit of excellence in all endeavors.

BALANCED EDUCATION

• The School encourages a balance of the students' experience among academics, spirituality, physical well-being (including athletics), family involvement, and service to church and community. It instills in students an awareness of self and others as well as their civic responsibility to both community and country. Toward this end, St. Anne promotes religious, economic and ethnic diversity in its student body.

• In the history of the United States, private Christian schools have been an extremely effective instrument of Christian education. These schools have been major contributors to the spreading of God's word and enabled the faithful to blend human affairs and activities with their religious values. In such private schools, the power of the Gospel has been brought to bear on thought patterns, standards of judgment, and norms of behavior. It is up to committed Christians to promote private Christian schools, doing everything possible to help establish and maintain them.

• St. Anne provides guidance to find answers to questions such as: “What does it mean to be an American?” and “What does it mean to be a Christian in America now?” Part of the meaning of being in the world is the realization that we are citizens of the world and in particular, American citizens. Every young person at St. Anne School who is growing toward maturity will become a full participant as a citizen in the civil body. Each student has a vital stake and interest in the society within which he lives. Each graduate of St. Anne is required to read, study and discuss the major ideas of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America. A study of these documents enables students to better understand society and to gain insights into the role that they might perform. This understanding, requiring a student to become knowledgeable of the past, comes at an exciting time for historical studies that offers new information and stimulating insights, particularly concerning the Revolutionary and early national periods. Knowledge and understanding of American history and citizenship will help this generation to build a better world for the future. The students' civic responsibility is concern for their community. Students at St. Anne School are encouraged to be involved with both school projects and community service. To that end, they are finding ways to serve Christ in their personal relationships and in their communities. Middle School students must meet a community service requirement.

• St. Anne appreciates the high cost of private education. St. Anne believes that charity starts at home. It strives to promote economic diversity through a scholarship program for those less financially fortunate individuals who qualify as students. St. Anne also promotes other charitable programs within its community.

STUDENT DEVELOPMENT

• The School prepares the student to succeed with future responsibilities in education and society through the development of educational, academic, social, and religious discipline. St. Anne helps all students identify their unique God-given talents and broaden and strengthen those gifts and interests so they may pursue vocations. St. Anne believes education is a life-long process, of which formal schooling is an essential part.

• The New Testament reveals that the church universal is a body, that each Christian is a member and that all have gifts and abilities that are indispensable. Everyone has a place and a function within the Body of Christ. No one person is superior or inferior to another and no one is able to judge another in these terms. “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit, and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of working, but it is the same God who inspires them all in every one. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” (I Cor. 12: 4-7)

• St. Anne believes that education is a broad experience through which a culture is transmitted from generation to generation. The school has a vital role in this process, together with family, church, government, and society.

• St. Anne believes a Christian education is an important means of preparation for participation in a community united in faith and values.

• St. Anne School exists to teach these basic ideals within the Judeo-Christian and liberal arts traditions. This allows all students to find their unique gifts and talents, to fulfill their purpose in life.

SPIRITUALITY

• Spiritually, St. Anne is an independent Christian school teaching Judeo-Christian values in accordance with the Catholic tradition. All doctrines and worship and prayer practices are in accordance with the Catholic tradition. St. Anne believes in Christian unity, practicing ethnic and religious acceptance. Families of all faiths are welcomed by St. Anne. The spiritual program is designed to preserve, enhance, and supplement the students' religious upbringing in their homes and churches. The School's goal for its students is that they become educated, thoughtful, wise, compassionate, and humble by living out the teachings of Jesus Christ, our God and Savior. St. Anne teaches the dignity of each person and the sanctity of human life at all stages.

• A daily routine of ceremonial observances are followed beginning in Pre-School. They include morning prayer at assembly, Grace before meals, and prayer at the end of the day. Additionally, prayer is said before all major meetings/events involving students, parents and staff. Prayer is said before each athletic competition and before drama productions. A school-wide Chapel or Roman Catholic Mass is celebrated every Wednesday. The liturgical calendar is followed for chapel including observance of Roman Catholic Holy Days. All of these observances encourage spiritual growth and an appreciation of our country’s patriotic and cultural legacy.

• St. Anne students represent a wide variety of denominational backgrounds but the religious curriculum is based on the teachings of the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. As a private school St. Anne exists independently of any external institution or agency. The school is community-based, having been founded by a group of concerned parents and clergy. It is governed by its Members as promulgated through the Articles and Bylaws of the non-profit religious corporation.

• St. Anne is a Christian school, which means above all that it is committed to Jesus Christ as the Messiah, the only Lord and Savior. Every Christian is called to love God and his Savior Jesus Christ with his whole heart and strength, and his neighbor as himself. The Christian education is sacramentally based, taught in accordance with the Catholic tradition as interpreted by the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC). Students are prepared for sacraments through their family’s parish, in accordance with the Catholic tradition. At times, St. Anne offers additional religious education outside regular school hours. Prayer, the study and reading of Scripture, and Chapel services incorporate our school community in ways that enable all individuals to realize their importance and responsibility to God, to each other, to the School and the world around them. The School accepts the Old and New Testament documents as the medium of God's revelation to us and as documents which individually and collectively testify to the centrality of Jesus Christ who announces, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” St. Anne accepts the Apostles' Creed as representative of its profession of faith:

I believe in God the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended to hell, on the third day rose again from the dead, ascended to heaven, sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty, whence He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

The prayer at St. Anne School is the Lord's Prayer derived from Matthew 6:9-13:

Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil. Amen.

• St. Anne believes the student is the heart of the educational enterprise. The School teaches the dignity of each person and the sanctity of human life at all stages.

• Human life must be respected and protected absolutely, from the moment of conception (CCC 2270). The inalienable right to life of every innocent human individual is a constitutive element of civil society in its legislation (CCC 2273). Those whose lives are diminished or weakened deserve special respect. Sick or handicapped persons should be helped to lead lives as normal as possible. Whatever its motives and means, direct euthanasia involving the putting an end to the lives of the handicapped, sick, or dying persons is morally unacceptable. Everyone is responsible for his life to God, who has given it to him. It is God who remains the sovereign Master of life. Everyone is obliged to accept life gratefully and preserve it for its honor and the salvation of each person's soul. Each individual is a steward, not an owner, of the life God has entrusted to them. It is not theirs to dispose of (CCC 2280). Life and physical health are precious gifts entrusted to each person by God. Each individual must take reasonable care of them, taking into account the needs of others and the common good (CCC 2288). St. Anne believes the primary purpose of marriage is the mutual support of husband and wife and, when it is God's will, the procreation and care of their children.

• St. Anne respects religious diversity. The School promotes faculty and administration who can teach and support the Christian spirituality espoused in the Mission Statement and Philosophy. St. Anne does not discriminate among its students based on religion.

• St. Anne respects the freedom of individuals to seek the truth and to embrace it according to the dictates of conscience; therefore, it firmly rejects proselytism. However, all students do participate in the worship and prayer services which are in accordance with the Catholic tradition. It is important from the above to further indicate our view on Christian unity, diversity and acceptance, not only because the St. Anne School community is comprised of diverse Christian denominations and other religious sects, but because there is greater exposure than ever to differing religions and their viewpoints. Christianity rests on the revelation of one truth and no other, which means that this truth is universal and absolute.

This position is further augmented by Paul's statements in Romans 12:3-8:

“For by the grace given to me I bid every one among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith which God has assigned him. For as in one body we have many members, and all the members do not have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; he who teaches, in his teaching; he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who contributes in liberality; he who gives aid, with zeal; he who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.”

These passages indisputably instruct us that there is unity and diversity within the Body of Christ. Thus St. Anne believes in acceptance among members within various Christian movements and denominations as well as respect for those who claim either a different religion altogether or no religion at all. However, the worship and prayer traditions at St. Anne are in accordance with the Roman Catholic tradition for all students, Faculty, Administrators and parents. Unity is based upon the person and work of Jesus Christ and is created by the Holy Spirit. “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all and in all.” (Eph. 4:4-6)

ESLRS (Expected School-wide Learning Results)

CHRISTIAN VALUES:  Students will develop personal characteristics that reflect the character of Christ in their lives.

Students will:

• Realize the value of prayer in their everyday lives.

• Have a foundation based on the teachings of Jesus Christ our God and our Savior guiding their life choices and values.

• Set high Christian standards for themselves in order to be prepared for social, emotional, physical, and academic challenges.

• Show respect, tolerance, and responsibility for self, family, and community.

• Be responsible contributors giving back to the school and the community, their time, energy, talents, and resources.

• Understand that ours is a spirit of gratitude and love as we prepare for the challenges of life.

• Understand that ours is a faith of believing but also of sharing, doing and living within our families, our churches, our school, our community, and our world.

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATOR:  Students will be able to communicate effectively.

Students will: 

• Express themselves well in speech, writing, foreign language, technology, and the arts.

• Be objective and critical listeners who will be able to develop and express opinions intelligently.

• Incorporate technology to enhance their personal and professional lives and to foster independence and high achievement.

ACADEMIC ACHIEVER:  Students will demonstrate academic achievement.

Students will:

• Be critical thinkers, problem solvers, and risk takers, approaching situations from several viewpoints: analyzing, interpreting and applying new information.

• Apply learning skills to life’s social, emotional, physical, and academic challenges.

• Develop effective study skills in note-taking, research, time management, and organization.

• Achieve expected academic skills, ensuring successful competition in high school and college programs.

LIFE-LONG LEARNER:  Students will become life-long learners and have a commitment to personal development.

Students will:

• Appreciate cultural differences in all people and respond with understanding, consideration, and acceptance.

• Enjoy the arts as audiences, participants, and students