On March 17th, people around the world observe St. Patrick’s Day by celebrating Irish culture, but the holiday has a deeper meaning. Saint Patrick is the primary patron saint of Ireland. He was a Fifth Century missionary, credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. Saint Patrick remains known for consistently displaying the virtues of faith, hope, and charity.
Since 1910, the spirit of Saint Patrick has lived on in Springfield, Illinois through St. Patrick Catholic School, located at 1800 South Grand Avenue East. Parents looking for a faith-based educational environment with rigorous academics and personalized attention for their elementary aged children need look no further than St. Patrick School. The school offers small class sizes, with no more than 15 students per class, and ranges from pre-school to fifth grade.
While it originally operated as a traditional parish school, in 2001 St. Patrick School was reestablished as a non-profit corporation operating under the jurisdiction of the Bishop. St. Patrick School seeks to educate the entire person and expects its students to become goal-oriented, responsible individuals who can lead their generation in making the world a better place. It seeks to foster positive self-image in students and active participation by families in the educational experience. No student is turned away based on inability to pay. Payment plans and financial aid options are available.
According to Advancement Director Kristin Cavanagh, volunteers and donors are key to the school’s success. St. Patrick School does not receive funding from a parish, rather it relies on donations, grants, and volunteers to carry out its mission. There are numerous volunteer opportunities, ranging from working with students in a classroom to helping outdoors during the school year and summer. For those wishing to learn more, the school offers “Tour Tuesdays,” which include student led tours that can be scheduled through the main office. On a simpler level, the school maintains a library book wish list on Amazon, and interested individuals can donate a book to the school library to honor someone or to mark a birthday or other special occasion.
For more information about St. Patrick School, please visit https://st-patrick.org or call the school at (217) 523-7670.