ACADEMICS
A Catholic Education That Grows With Your Child - From the First Day of Kindergarten to High School Readiness
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At Saint Paschal Baylon School, learning is a journey, not a series of stops and starts. As a K–8 school, we walk alongside each child through every stage of growth: academically, spiritually, socially, and emotionally, all within one close-knit, faith-filled community. Whether your child starts with us in Kindergarten or joins our family along the way, every student is welcomed, known, supported, and challenged to become their best self.
The K–8 Advantage
There's something powerful about growing up in one school home. Many of our students stay together from Kindergarten through 8th grade, forming lasting bonds with teachers who truly know them, and avoiding the disruption of switching schools during the vulnerable middle school years. And for families who join us later, our welcoming community makes that transition seamless, with new Bears quickly finding their place and their people.
The research is telling: a Harvard Graduate School of Education study found that moving to a middle school in grade 6 or 7 causes a substantial drop in student test scores compared to students who remain in K–8 schools. By keeping children in one steady, nurturing environment through these formative years, we help them stay on a confident path of growth.
Leadership, Confidence & Belonging
In the K–8 model, our oldest Bears aren't lost in the shuffle; they're the role models, mentors, and Big Buddies. Research in the American Educational Research Journal found that the oldest students in a school enjoy a more favorable environment than the youngest students, including fewer instances of bullying, along with stronger academic achievement.
And when older students mentor younger ones, they build confidence, character, and real leadership skills. A peer-reviewed study in Pastoral Care in Education found that cross-age peer mentoring strengthens what researchers call the "Five Cs: competence, character, confidence, connection, and compassion." Younger students gain a guide; older students gain purpose. By graduation, our Bears have spent years growing as leaders, and it shows.
Explore Our Programs
Kindergarten & Elementary
A joyful, nurturing start where strong foundations in faith and learning take root.
Junior High
A rigorous program with honors pathways, rich electives, and real leadership—preparing confident scholars for high school and beyond.
Sources
Harvard Graduate School of Education - "The Middle School Plunge" (West & Schwerdt, 2012)
https://gse.harvard.edu/news/12/02/middle-school-plunge
American Educational Research Journal - "Do Top Dogs Rule in Middle School? Evidence on Bullying, Safety, and Belonging" (Schwartz, Stiefel & Rothbart, 2016)
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.3102/0002831216657177
Pastoral Care in Education - "Striving for Contribution: The Five Cs and Positive Effects of Cross-Age Peer Mentoring" (Sinclair & Larson, 2018)
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02643944.2017.1422008
STUDENT LEARNING EXPECTATIONS
Saint Paschal Baylon School graduates are active Catholic Christians who:
Participate fully in many facets of liturgy prayer services and classroom prayer
Demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental beliefs and teaching of the Catholic Church
Promote stewardship through voluntary outreach and genuine compassion for the needs of others and the environment
Have acquired basic computation skills
Write ideas clearly
Have gained an understanding of a variety of literary genres
Utilize technology to enhance learning and communication
Have learned the necessary study and organization skills to transition in to High School
Demonstrate knowledge and awareness of the fine arts
Respect the worth and dignity of each person
Strive for self-control and self-discipline
Demonstrate good sportsmanship and a harmonious environment in a variety of physical activities.