CHATHAM - St. Patrick School in Chatham has earned the distinction of being one of only four Catholic elementary schools in the nation to achieve STEM Certification from preschool through Grade 8 from AdvancED, a national school accrediting agency.
The certification process involved the creation of a STEM team at the school, led by principal, Dr. Christine Ross. The team spent months preparing for the accreditation visit, providing evidence that the school met 11 rigorous AdvancED STEM indicators. This self-assessment included securing partnerships with community organizations and institutions, ensuring cross-curricular reinforcement of STEM practices, and demonstration of the integration of STEM skills throughout the Pre-K to Grade 8 curriculum.
Scott Reagan, the lead evaluator of the AdvancED STEM team had high praise for the school’s leadership, faculty and students, noting, "St. Patrick's school was a joy to visit. At every level school personnel demonstrated a commitment and mastery of the AdvancED stem indicators. This dedication was reflected in the outstanding work its students were doing, rom Pre-k to 8th grade students were active, engaged, and showed what an effective STEM school truly looked like."
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“I’m immensely proud of this accomplishment,” said Dr. Christine Ross, principal of St. Patrick. “ It is an affirmation of the strength as a STEM school, the dedication of our faculty to provide the children with an outstanding education, and the curiosity our students show in thinking and learning creatively and critically. I’m grateful for the hard work and support of our entire St. Patrick community!”
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) education at St. Patrick School focuses the construction of knowledge, innovation, communication, collaboration, and ethical behavior based on Gospel values and the development of divergent thinking and interdisciplinary connections. “As demands for skills change rapidly in the world, I am proud of the way our school administration and faculty have implemented STEM into each classroom to prepare students for the challenges that await them. STEM certification is a reflection of the vision that St. Patrick School strives to attain in the education of each student,” said Rev. Robert Mitchell, the pastor of St. Patrick parish.
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Saint Patrick School, accredited by AdvancED, is a co-educational, parochial elementary school for students in preschool through eighth grade. The school has been nationally recognized as a United States Department of Education Blue Ribbon School and as a Diocese of Paterson Star School. St. Patrick School is currently enrolling for the 2018-19 school year with limited space in some grade levels. To learn more, call 973-635-4623.
CONTACT: DR. CHRISTINE ROSS, PRINCIPAL
973-635-4623 principal@st-pats.org
