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Name: St. Nicholas School |
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St. Nicholas School provides a stimulating, relevant academic environment that fosters a lifelong love of learning. St. Nicholas students learn to explore and evaluate ideas, seek specific information, develop essential skills and use effective problem-solving strategies to succeed in society. St. Nicholas offers extensive courses in Art, Language Arts, History, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education, Religion, Science, Social Studies, Spanish (grades 6-8) and Technology. The curriculum St. Nicholas School offers is in compliance with California State Standards and is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the Western Catholic Education Association. Kindergarten through Fifth grade is primarily self-contained classes, while grades 6-8 are departmentalized. St. Nicholas School is able to manage student enrollment, resulting in, an excellent student to teacher ratio. Also, each class has a teacher assistant, allowing teachers to break away from the class and provide one on one instruction. St. Nicholas School facility is dedicated to the academic and personal growth of each student. Small classroom size is a contributing factor to the bond students have with their teachers throughout the years. St. Nicholas School employs 36 professional educators, instructional aides, a learning specialist, campus minister, school counselor and administrators. St. Nicholas School faculty and staff members encourage initiative, responsibility and enthusiasm for learning, both inside and outside the classroom. St. Nicholas School teachers acknowledge and affirm unique learning styles throughout the student body. St. Nicholas School is devoted to giving students a variety of tools and materials to help enhance their education and prepare them for high school, college and life. While the Gospel message of Christ has remained the uncompromised and unchanged core of the St. Nicholas School educational program, academic goals at St. Nicholas School have adapted to accommodate our ever-evolving world. |
Entering Kindergarten 1 st -8 th Grade |
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St. Nicholas School is steeped with the rich Spanish history and Catholic tradition of the Los Altos , Los Altos Hills area. The Franciscan Friars settled on the La Purissima Conception land grant in the 1800's. St. Nicholas Church on Lincoln Avenue was built and blessed in 1942. Sensing a need for Catholic education, St. Nicholas School was built and dedicated in 1953 at Rosita and Campbell Avenues. Due to a significant increase in the size of the local Catholic community, the parish boundaries were split and a new school was built at the current location, 12816 S. El Monte Avenue . The new school was completed in 1961 and was staffed by women religious from the Sisters of Mercy of Carrick-on-Suir , Ireland , who lived in a convent built on the school site. |
St. Nicholas School is located on 17 hilltop acres. The one story school with eight classrooms built around a quadrangle (“The Quad”) was considered one of the most modern architectural designs of the time. Also included on this spacious campus are a library, gymnasium/parish hall, technology center, science lab, extended day care facility, multi-use room and numerous playgrounds and fields. The Sisters moved out of the convent in 1998. It currently serves as the residence for Father Larry Percell (Pastor) and Father Noel Sanvicente, as well as providing a chapel for reconciliation and class retreats. In addition, the Los Altos Youth Ministry Program operates out of the clergy residence. St. Nicholas School has been educating children for over fifty years in grades Kindergarten through eight. A St. Nicholas School education is an honored tradition for many of our founding families, and a number of alumni s and their children. The success of St. Nicholas School centers around a collaborative process involving administration, teachers, students, parents and community members. Each constituency supports the others, and all are dedicated to instilling in each child a life-long love of learning, a solid faith foundation, and an appreciation for all as part of God's creation. Built upon the foundation of Catholic heritage and embracing excellent academics, art programs, technology and athletics, St. Nicholas School provides education and opportunities to children that is incomparable to other Bay Area schools. |
