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The mission at St. Michael's Parish Day
School in Tucson, Arizona is to foster the intellectual, physical,
ethical and spiritual development of its students. It seeks to do
this in a traditional Episcopalian setting, one that nourishes a
pluralistic community of students and faculty from all social, economic,
ethnic and religious backgrounds.
St. Michael's Parish Day School was established in Tucson, Ariziona
in 1958, five years after the formation of St. Michael's and All
Angels Parish. The School's philosophy remains based on the principle
outlined by its founder, the Parish's first rector, the Reverend
John Clinton Fowler: "We teach children to read, to write, to cipher,
to sing, and to pray." The curriculum for the kindergarten through
eighth grade focuses on rigorous academics, a deep commitment to
the fine arts, spiritual growth in a pluralistic atmosphere, and
athletics, thus, nourishing mind, spirit, and body. Our broad and
balanced curriculum – whether basic composition, grappling with
Biblical texts or group science projects in our wetlands or on the
internet – encourages both cooperation and healthy competition among
students, helping them to develop lifelong problem-solving and learning
skills. St. Michael's strives to prepare students to meet an ever-changing
world as caring, competent and confident young adults.
The School insists on a low student-to-faculty ratio, a variety
of teaching styles and materials, as well as attention to the development
of the student as an individual and as a member of a broader school
community. It is our belief that learning is best explored by children
who have a positive self-image, senses of joy and humor, and value
perseverance. Students who are encouraged to take risks, and who
are held accountable for their actions, develop a sense of ethical
responsibility, not only for learning, but for behaviors consistent
with the values of the School and the community at large. Therefore,
we strive to create a climate of high expectations in a supportive
environment that acknowledges the innate self-worth of all members
of our community.
The values that guide our community are grounded in our Christian
faith. As a member of the National Association of Episcopal Schools,
St. Michael's is proud of its connection with the Episcopal Church.
We welcome students of all faiths; we do not seek to convert them,
but rather to nurture them in a Christian community and educate
them about Judeo-Christian world views. Our goal as an Episcopal
School is to nurture the moral, religious, and spiritual development
of each child and to welcome everyone to our community.
St. Michael's seeks to function as a family, as a school in which
administrators, faculty, parents and students support one another.
Successful communication flowing from one group to another serves
the purpose of fostering understanding and trust and provides a
rewarding learning environment for everyone. St. Michael's is proud
of its tradition of creating a climate of mutual trust, respect,
and enthusiasm for the life and mission of the school.
- To provide a broad-based academic curriculum consisting of language,
literature, the arts, science, technology, mathematics, social
studies, and physical education.
- To assist students in developing reflective, creative and disciplined
approaches to knowledge.
- To develop students with the foundation and inclination to be
life-long learners.
- To develop students with the capacity for future academic success.
- To create a climate of high expectations coupled with a loving
and supportive environment that acknowledges innate self-worth
of all members of our community.
- To nurture within each student a sense of self-worth that prepares
one for moral and ethical decision making.
- To cultivate each student's understanding about the innate self-worth
of all members of God's Kingdom.
- To put that awareness into action through community service
projects and educational activities.
- To recruit, accept, and retain students and families from a
diverse social, economic, and ethnic background.
- To attract, retain, and fairly compensate quality faculty and
staff who can model our academic, character, and spiritual values.
- To create a climate of open dialogue with active lines of communication
among parents, students, parishioners, alumni, teachers, and administrators.
- To create a climate of mutual trust and respect for parents,
students, and colleagues – a climate which enlists all constituents
to achieve a unified goal.
- To enhance the relationship with the Parish, and to be ever
mindful of our status as a ministry of the Parish.
- To maintain a Board of Governors committed to the mission of
the school and to our relationship with the Parish, and to maintaining
a fiscally sound institution.
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