St. James School

 "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

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.

How we measure up…

• The average percent of students in grades 3rd-5th proficient in reading is 92%**
• The average percent of students in grades 3rd-5th proficient in math is 90.9%**
• The average percent of students in grades 3rd- 5th proficient in science is 91.2%**
• The average percent of students in grades 3rd - 5th proficient in social studies is 87%**
• Students in grades 3rd - 5th make an average of 1.3 years annual growth in achievement*
• Students perform at an average of 1.6 years above the National Grade Equivalent on Iowa Assessments*
• We provide comprehensive language arts, reading, spelling, math & science programs that align with Iowa Core.
• Since 2004 twelve former St. James students have been named valedictorian or salutatorian at the public school.

• A long standing tradition of all-day every day kindergarten
• Age appropriate, licensed preschool programs
• The 4 year old preschool program is part of the Iowa State FREE Preschool Program
• A commitment to an average teacher to student ratio of no more than 1:15
• A rigorous, developmentally appropriate curriculum meeting the needs of the individual learner
• Daily religious instruction
• School-wide and classroom service learning
• Title I/ELL services provided on site
• Multi-aged school families
• Theme days and school pride days
• Special Education services, speech, hearing, and vision
• Multi-age grouping of intermediate grades combined with self-contained and departmentalization
• Involvement in public school instrumental music program
• Busing provided by public school
• Fully functional Mac lab in the library and iPads and laptops in every classroom
• SuccessMaker and Typing Pal computer program curricula