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What are they saying about SJS...
"Our school is awesome!"
2nd grader
"I liked the small classes, because I got more personal attention." - SJS Graduate
"Everybody knows everybody - it's like a big family. Communication is good."
SJS Graduate
"I felt I learned to respect myself and others there." SJS Graduate
"I felt my confidence was built up by my teachers". SJS Graduate
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Select a page from the list on the side or
read on to learn more about our school.History & Tradition
St. James School has a long-standing tradition of providing a well-rounded education in a Catholic setting for 150+ years. The first St. James School building was erected in 1866 just west of the present structure. (The original structure remains at that location today as a private residence.) A convent/school housing grades 1-12 was built in 1901 on the site, which currently serves as the south parking lot. The present school was dedicated in 1957 with four religious sisters teaching grades 1-8. The current staff continues to maintain the tradition of providing high quality academic programming while guiding students in grades preschool through fifth as they develop into life-long learners of their Christian Faith.
St. James provides high quality and effective instruction aligned with the Common Core Standards, while guiding students in grades preschool through fifth as they develop into life-long learners of their Christian Faith.
Building Culture
- Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
- VIRTUS training - Protecting God’s Children
- Faith Formation two days a week
- Weekly Mass
- Diverse families and classrooms
- Multi-aged school families
- School Pride days
On-Site
- Commitment to average teacher ratio of 1:15
- English Language Learner (ELL) Services
- Title I Reading
- Title I Math
- Speech therapy
- DHS licensed 3 year old preschool
- Statewide voluntary free preschool for 4 year olds
- GO Math! Curriculum
- Journeys reading curriculum
- VAST science curriculum
Collaboration
- Special Education Services with Washington Community School District (WCSD)
- Transportation with WCSD
- Professional Development with WCSD
Measuring Up
- 3rd-5th grade students perform at an average of 1 academic year above the National Grade Equivalent on Iowa Assessments in Reading, Math, Science, and Social Studies.
- 4th grade students scored 100% proficient in reading on the 2019 Iowa Assessments
- 5th grade students scored 83% proficient in reading on the 2019 Iowa Assessments
- Both 4th and 5th grade students scored 100% proficient in math on the 2019 Iowa Assessments
- 4th grade students scored 100% proficient in science on the 2019 Iowa Assessments
- 5th grade students scored 83% proficient in science on the 2019 Iowa Assessments
- 4th grade students scored 100% proficient in social studies on the 2019 Iowa Assessments
- 5th grade students scored 83% proficient in social studies on the 2019 Iowa Assessments
- Since 2010, seven former St. James students have been named valedictorian or salutatorian at graduation from high school.
- Four of the ten 2019 Homecoming candidates are former St. James students.
- For the 2019 National Honor Society inductees at WCSD, 41% were St. James students.
Professional Development (Present and Past)
- Teach Like a Pirate by Dave Burgess
- Power of Moments by Chip Heath and Dan Heath
- Switch by Chip Heath and Dan Heath
- Visible Learning by John Hattie
- Making Reading Heavenly by Cathy Angel
- The Daily 5 by Gail Boushey and Joan Moser
- Love and Logic by Jim Fay and David Funk
- Growth Mindset by Carol Dweck