About Us / Frequently Asked Questions
St. Denis School Philosophy
Introduction St. Denis School is committed to transmitting Jesus’ message of love and service. It is equally committed to providing a comprehensive and outstanding educational experience, one that enriches the whole student – mind, body and spirit. Our graduates enter high school intellectually, morally and spiritually prepared to meet with confidence the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. In this regard a St. Denis education is truly an investment in the future – the gift of a lifetime. St. Denis School is a Catholic, parochial school for boys and girls in Pre-School through Grade 8. It is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
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Philosophy
St. Denis School is its people and the Christian values by which it lives, educates and learns. We are guided by the belief that home, school and parish are inseparable. Teachers and administrators collaborate with parents and parishioners to provide our students an outstanding educational experience, one that forms and enriches the whole person in mind, body and spirit. As we pursue this mission every member of the school community is called upon to give witness to the core values that we cherish: Faith, Mercy, Integrity, Cooperation and Respect.
Our Core Values
FAITH
We are a community of believers grounded in our Catholic faith. We rust in the Word of God and in each other’s desire to become more like Jesus.
MERCY
We are inspired by the charism of Mercy. We share a compassionate love that is faithful, active, and concerned for the good of others.
INTEGRITY
We accept personal responsibility to be honest and to uphold the values of St. Denis School in word and action. We lead by example.
COOPERATION
We work together in a spirit of unity. We share our gifts and talents to strengthen our community.
RESPECT
We encourage one another to discover, develop, and exercise our unique, God given abilities. We treat each other the way we want to be treated.
Each child’s journey of self-discovery unfolds in the midst of caring adults and peers who model and celebrate the love of God. Recognizing the parents as first educator, there is frequent and consistent communication between home and school. Teachers and parents cooperate and support each other as they share in the total development of each student. St. Denis is committed to transmitting Jesus’ message of love and service. Classroom instruction, sacramental preparation, and communal worship contribute to an understanding and appreciation of the Catholic faith. Strengthened in spirit, the students explore the breadth and depth of their own abilities, their unique relationship with God, and the role they are called to assume as baptized members of the Catholic family.
St. Denis is equally committed to providing its students a comprehensive and outstanding academic education. The principal, in consultation with the faculty, administers the development and implementation of our educational policies and procedures. The curriculum is based on the Philadelphia Archdiocesan Guidelines but further enhanced by the faculty to insure that it meets the needs of our local student population. The faculty employs a variety of teaching methods and assessment strategies in an effort to maximize individual performance while instilling in every student a passion for lifelong learning.
Our teachers place special emphasis on developing skills that are essential to one’s long-term success; namely, the skills to solve problems, to think critically and to listen, read, write and communicate effectively. A wide variety of student activities, clubs and sports complement the classroom curriculum and contribute to the development of the whole person.
These programs enhance knowledge of self and respect for others by fostering the skills of leadership, cooperation, compassionate service and good sportsmanship. They provide students of all ages unique and invaluable opportunities to favorably impact the community in which they live, work and play. Our students, both in and out of the classroom, are encouraged to exercise initiative, good judgment and self-control. They learn to face challenges with courage, to accept success and failure with grace, and to find meaning in all they do.
Continual improvement is a priority for all members of the St. Denis School community. The Faculty and Administration participate in a variety of supplemental classes and workshops specific to grade level and subject matter. In addition, they regularly exchange information and ideas with fellow teaching professionals. These experiences inspire them to continually evaluate and enhance policies, procedures, teaching methods, curriculum and materials. In so doing, the Faculty and Administration insure that our school accommodates the needs of our students and the demands of a technologically complex and ever changing world. We also rely on a number of parish and school organizations to assist us in identifying and securing our needs for the future. They include, but are not limited to, the Parish Finance Council, St. Denis School Advisory Board, Development Office, Endowment Board, Grant Writing Committee and Technology Committee.
In summary, our students mature in mind, body and spirit through the guidance and support of the entire St. Denis Parish School community. They acquire the knowledge, skills, moral foundation and strength of faith that is required to succeed academically and to enter society as responsible members of the Catholic family. Ultimately, our students find the inspiration and courage to respond to their baptismal call in word and action, continually engaging their gifts and talents in furthering God’s Church on earth.
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Administration & Faculty
St. Denis teachers are professional, caring and committed men and women who make teaching a true vocation. All of our teachers hold one or more college degrees and currently average 15 years’ experience. The faculty and administration call forth the best in each student and provide a learning environment that fosters our school’s core values. Recognizing the parents as first educator, there is frequent and consistent communication between home and school. Teachers and parents cooperate and support each other as they share in the total development of each student. Continuing education in the form of workshops, seminars and supplemental courses is a priority for all members of our staff. As a result, our policies, procedures, curriculum, teaching methods and materials are continually enhanced to ensure that they accommodate the needs of our students and the demands of a technologically complex and ever changing world.
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Curriculum
The Integrated Language Arts (ILA) program allows our students to discover the interconnectedness between disciplines. Our teachers collaborate effectively in creating opportunities that motivate our students to develop skills that are essential to their long-term success, namely the skills to think critically and to listen, read, write and communicate, effectively. Library and computer skills are also integrated throughout the disciplines. This integration offers students the opportunity to further develop the skills they acquire during regularly scheduled library visits and computer classes. Several programs (Human Growth & Development, Peacemaker and Steps to Respect) supplement our Religion curriculum and help emphasize what it means to uphold our Catholic values and principles in word and action.
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PS, PK & Kindergarten Programs Schedule
3-Year-Old Program (Children must be 3 years old by September 1)
Five Mornings 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Three Mornings (M/W/F) 9:00 A.M. to 11:30 A.M.
Two Mornings (T/TH) 9:00 A.M. to 11:30 A.M.
4-Year Old Program (Children must be 4 years old by September 1)
Five Mornings 9:00 A.M. to 11:30 A.M.
Five Full Days 9:00 to 3:00.
Kindergarten Program (Children must be 5 years old by September 1)
Full-Day Kindergarten 8:10 A.M. to 3:05 P.M.
CURRICULUM
Readiness skills are developed in each discipline and through age-appropriate activities such as: Show n’ Tell, Free Play, Story Time Dramatization, Cooking, and holiday shows.
Religion: Daily lessons and prayers encourage the children to realize God’s loving presence in themselves, their families, friends and the world in which they live. Through liturgies, prayer services, and Bible stories, we help the children learn the traditional beliefs and practices of the Catholic Church.
Mathematics: The Mathematics program is designed to make the children aware of number meanings in their daily lives. They are given the opportunity to observe explore, experiment, discover and create through the use of manipulatives.
Language Arts: The Language Arts program stresses communication skills including listening, speaking, reading readiness and writing. We foster and encourage the spontaneous nature of language in children this age via classroom discussions, rhyming, children’s literature, films and field trips.
Social Studies: The Social Studies program encourages self-awareness and the development of social skills that contribute to each child’s recognition that they are members of a larger community. We foster respect and appreciation of self, family, friends, community and Church.
Science: Our science program helps to excite each child’s natural curiosity about the world around him/her. We accomplish this through hands on discovery that presents material within both a religious and scientific framework.
Computer and Library Skills: The children are introduced to the computer and its basic operation. They utilize it as a means to learn and to reinforce skills presented in class. Our school and classroom libraries contribute to the child’s appreciation for literature and desire to read.
The Arts: Music and Art spark the creativity of each child and are an integral part of the curriculum. The children develop an appreciation for music through listening, singing and performing. In art class self-expression is encouraged via a variety of media. The children are also exposed to famous artists and their works through our Art Appreciation Program.
Physical Education: The children participate in a weekly Physical Education Class that contributes to the development of their gross and fine motor skills.
Attendance
Regular attendance is most important and strongly recommended. The consistency will benefit your child by adding structure to his or her lifestyle. It ensures continued involvement in our daily planned activities.
Communication
Communication between parents and teachers is essential and encouraged at this age level. In each of our programs communication is facilitated by means of regular newsletters. Conferences are held at specific times or when requested. They offer formal opportunities for parents and teachers to discuss a child’s progress and to share concerns. In Kindergarten, a written progress report will be issued.
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Facilities
Our educational facility includes two school buildings, a gymnasium / auditorium, community center and parish church.
Together the Upper and Lower school buildings house 25 classrooms with computers and internet accessibility, a computer lab, library, music room and cafeteria. The computer lab is equipped with 31 Dell computers, laserjet printers, a LCD projector and SmartBoard. In addition, teachers and students have access to a portable lab containing 16 laptop computers. The computers are loaded with a bundle of Microsoft software and have full internet capabilities.
In addition, teachers and students have access to an extensive library of software designed to enhance specific content areas of the curriculum. The school’s technology committee is instrumental in identifying and securing our needs for the future.
St. Denis has a spacious and automated library that holds approximately 9500 books, 6 Dell computers and 1 server. Students have internet accessibility to multiple databases from all work stations. The recent addition of the Accelerated Reader (AR) program allows our library staff and faculty to collaborate in the assessment and development of the student’s reading skills. The gymnasium is home to multiple Bulldawg teams and along with the Grimes Center plays host to a variety of assemblies and shows.
St. Denis Church is a focal point of our campus and an integral part of school life. It is the site of school liturgies, the Christmas Pageant, Living Stations, May Procession, Graduation, the sacraments of Reconciliation, First Eucharist and Confirmation and many other spirit filled events.
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Extracurricular Activities
Committed to the development of the whole child, St. Denis encourages participation in a diverse offering of student activities, clubs and sports. Each is designed to further enhance knowledge and respect of self and others by fostering the skills of leadership, cooperation, compassionate service and good sportsmanship.
ATHLETICS:
Co-ed Developmental Intramural Programs:
Basketball (Little Hoopsters): Grades 2, 3, 4
Indoor Soccer: Grades 2, 3 and 4
Teams:
Cheerleading
Flag Football: Grade 4
Junior Varsity Football: Grades 5, 6
Varsity Football: Grades 7, 8
Junior Varsity Field Hockey: Grades 5, 6
Varsity Field Hockey: Grades 7, 8
Volleyball (Girls): Grades 7, 8
Junior Varsity Basketball (Girls): Grades 5, 6
Junior Varsity Basketball (Boys): Grades 5, 6
Varsity Basketball (Girls): Grades 7, 8
Varsity Basketball (Boys): Grades 7, 8
Junior Varsity Softball: Grades 5, 6
Varsity Softball: Grades 7, 8
Junior Varsity Baseball: Grades 5, 6
Varsity Baseball: Grades 7, 8
Track: Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Clubs and Organizations
Altar Servers
Children’s Choir
Instrumental Music and Band
Mercy Ministers (Service Club: Grades 7, 8)
Newspaper
Scouting
Student Council
Talent Show/Musicale
Yearbook
Literary Magazine
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MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS
St. Denis students consistently compete and earn merit scholarships to the neighboring parochial and private high schools including:
Archbishop Carroll High School
Cardinal O’Hara High School
Country Day School of the Sacred Heart
Devon Preparatory School
Malvern Preparatory School
Merion Mercy Academy
Notre Dame Academy
Villa Maria Academy
St. Joseph’s Preparatory School