St. James Academy
|
|
St. James Academy |
|
|
Student Life
|
| The Academy maintains small class
sizes and small groups for individualized instruction which have always
been its hallmark. The Academy is a coeducational setting which serves
children from about five to fourteen years of age. The student body is
composed of youngsters representing a cross section of economic, racial,
ethnic, and religious backgrounds within our community.
Our Student Activities St. James Academy is a vibrant community of students, parents, faculty, and staff members. When prospective families visit our school, we tell them that "an entire family comes to St. James." It is the commitment of every member of the school family that promotes and supports each student. Every parent is an integral part of the success of our students. Parents are encouraged to become involved in the activities of the school, both within the classroom and in support of the Patrons' Association which provides adult educational opportunities as well as fund raising to support student programs. Each school year begins with a family picnic. Parents, students and community members enjoy this informal Sunday afternoon event. Frequent celebrations, organized by parent volunteers, include school-wide assemblies, planting flowers at Easter tide, Grandparents' Day, field trips, Colonial Day, Thanksgiving Feast, and a State's Feast. The community enthusiasm expressed by parents is inspired by our students within the classroom. Each day, our students are living examples of the kind of support that members of our school family can provide for one another. For example, our Grade 5 students visit the Kindergarten to share projects and read with the younger children. Students in Grade 4 share time with their Pefirst "buddies," too. The value of these experiences to older and younger students is immeasurable. In middle school, student activities include Holiday Dances, Spring Dance, Science Fair, Travel Expo, rallies, Student Council elections and leadership roles. Instrumental Music students may share their talents with students at assemblies and during Chapel service. Participation in intramural and interscholastic athletics is open to all students. Interscholastic sports teams include soccer, field hockey, basketball, volleyball, lacrosse, golf, and tennis. Students eagerly anticipate middle school clubs, held once each week. Club offerings vary with each trimester but often include yearbook, film making, photography, ballroom dancing, chess, sports activities, and life skills. Moving Up Day is a special celebration of maturing and becoming a future Middle School Student that is shared with the intermediate grades. The most exciting middle school activity of each year are the Spring Trips. Grade 8 students travel to Boston, MA. for an urban cultural experience. Grades 6 and 7 spend four days experiencing an outdoor adventure which includes hiking, camping, exploring, environmental science, and, especially, team building .
|