Mission and History

Now in its fifteenth year, Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy was established as a new pilot for transforming Catholic education in Boston under the direction of Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley, OFM Cap. A legacy school of St. Angela, St. Ann, St. Gregory, St. Mark, St. Kevin, St. Margaret, Blessed Mother Teresa, St. Peter, and St. William parishes, the Academy is a Roman Catholic preschool through grade 8 school located on three campuses in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston.

Mission

Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy encourages students to grow in faith and knowledge in a safe, nurturing, structured, and culturally diverse environment. Our challenging and rich academic and fine arts curriculum helps our students to develop the essential skills to become productive, responsible global citizens and positive young men and women who possess a love of God, of learning, and of service to others.

History

Now in its 15th year, Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy was founded by the Campaign for Catholic Schools in the new regional model of urban Catholic education, which calls for enhanced academic and faith formation curricula, extensive professional development for teachers, upgraded technology, improved school facilities, and governance by a predominantly lay board.

Through the initial planning stages of this regional design, input from teachers, parents, parishioners and students was considered. Along with the Board of Trustees and the new school management team, all agreed that the newly formed Academy would offer:

  • Enhanced faith formation curriculum in the Catholic tradition, while welcoming children of all faiths;
  • An improved standardized curriculum for all grade levels across all campuses;
  • Extra support for English Language Learners;
  • Improved standards for hiring, monitoring, and compensating teachers in order to retain and attract the most talented and dedicated educators;
  • Affordable tuition and significant financial assistance for families in need;
  • Before and after school programs;
  • A new model of governance, with religious and lay expertise in operation, curriculum development, fundraising, finance and marketing;
  • And newly renovated facilities to enhance the learning environment.
When the Academy opened in September 2008, well over 90% of students from the parish schools enrolled in the new regional school. Educating over 1,000 students, the Academy is the largest accredited Catholic elementary school in New England.

The academy has been accredited by NEASC since 2013.

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