Saint Andrew's School (Saratoga, California)
| Saint Andrew's Episcopal School | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Address | |
|
13601 Saratoga Avenue Saratoga, California, Santa Clara County, 95070  United States | |
| Coordinates | 37°16′18″N 122°00′57″W / 37.2718°N 122.0158°WCoordinates: 37°16′18″N 122°00′57″W / 37.2718°N 122.0158°W |
| Information | |
| School type | Private |
| Religious affiliation(s) | Christian |
| Denomination | Episcopal |
| Founded | 1961 |
| Head of school | Erik Carlson |
| Chaplain | Cameron Ayers |
| Grades | Pre-Kindergarten through Eighth Grade |
| Enrollment | 385 |
| Average class size | 16 |
| Language | English |
| Hours in school day | 8:15 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. |
| Slogan | With the Right Foundation, Everything is Possible! |
| Team name | Saints |
| Accreditation | California Association of Independent Schools |
| Newspaper | The Leaflet |
| Affiliation | National Association of Independent Schools |
| Alumni | 1500+ |
| Website | www.st-andrews.org |
Saint Andrew's Episcopal School is an American independent co-educational day school, which teaches pre-kindergarten to grade eight in Saratoga, Santa Clara County, California. The school offers an advanced, comprehensive academic program plus enrichment in the areas of the studio and performing arts, physical education, foreign languages, technology, character development, religion and community service. Although affiliated with the Episcopal Church, Saint Andrews’s welcomes students of all beliefs and includes teaching about all major faiths. It was founded in 1961, as a department of Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church, in the Episcopal Diocese of El Camino Real. The school is organized into two divisions: the Lower School (pre-kindergarten–5th grade) and the Middle School (grades 6–8). Its website is www.st-andrews.org.
The California Association of Independent Schools[1] accredits the school. Saint Andrew's Episcopal School is also a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).
As of 2014, 385 students are enrolled, and the average class size is approximately 16. Erik Carlson has been the Head of School since 2014.
Saint Andrew's offers children the opportunity to do a lot more than it is taught in the normal course, such as Math Kangaroo and The Tech Challenge.[2]
Courses
Students have the core classes of Math, English, Science, Social Studies, and Spanish, as well as several enrichment classes that include art, music, religion, and technology. A French class was also offered up until the 2012-2013 school year. Starting in middle school, the Math class is offered in varying levels: 3 levels (6A, 6B, or 6C, up to Pre-algebra) for sixth grade, 4 levels (up to Algebra 1) for 7th grade, and 5 levels for 8th grade (culminating in Geometry). For lower school, the classroom teacher teaches math, and since the 2011-2012 school year, some grades have had 2 different levels in mathematics.
Character
Saint Andrew’s believes character education is a fundamental piece of the Pre-Kindergarten through grade eight education experience. It is during these formative years that children embrace and develop the core values, or skills for life, they will need throughout their teen and adult years. Good character is modeled, discussed and taught during advisories, in the classroom, in chapel and all around campus. The [3] Six Pillars of Character (Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, Citizenship) serve as the school's character education curriculum.
Technology
Technology is integrated throughout the school curriculum; students grades 5-8 are issued Apple Macbook Air laptops to use as educational aids. The laptop program even allows these laptops to be taken home, and restrictions are not stringent, allowing a variety of other applications to be installed. Each student is assigned a unique Gmail address that is part of a closed network.
All the campus has fast wireless internet coverage which is one of the tools used in the Laptop Program. Students in grades 4-8 are each issued their own laptop. Students in grades Pre-K through third grade take part in a 1:1 iPad program.
Each classroom is also equipped with an ActivBoard, a digital interactive whiteboard which supports a connection to a computer, be it the teacher's or the students'. The ActivBoard software allows the user to draw on the computer's desktop and interact with it using a special pen. Additionally, classrooms have integrated Apple TV's that allow for wireless streaming from an iPad or a 2011-newer MacBook Pro or Air via AirPlay.
Athletics
The school supports Cross-Country and Track, boys and girls Basketball, boys and girls Volleyball, boys Flag Football and girls Softball. Additionally, the school's Physical Education program exposes children to multiple types of sports. In the PE course, each week students in 6–8 grades participate in the unique Race Across the Country Program. September 14, 2010 announcement about the Race Across the Country, MSN.
Music
The school has a relatively extensive Music program. Two concerts, one in the winter and one in the spring, are given every year, and it is mandatory for all students to play a role. The instruments generally center around the xylophone, but musicians who play other instruments are encouraged to join as well. In addition to the standard enrichment class, optional programs are available. These include the Concert Choir, Jazz Choir, Jazz Band, Concert Band, Beginners' Band, Rock Band, and more, depending on the incoming body of students.
Saint Andrew's attends the yearly Heritage Festivals held in Anaheim, CA. The groups that perform are Concert Choir and Jazz/Advanced Choir. Saint Andrew's is consistently ranked high in the competition, winning Gold awards every year.
Religion
Saint Andrew's is, as the full name states, an Episcopal school. Chapel is administered on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday: Tuesday chapel is exclusively for members of the Lower School, Wednesday's service is for Middle School, and Thursday is for the entire school. Eucharist is held at the first chapel of each month. A Religion class is also held; for 6th grade, it centers around the branches of Christianity, for 7th grade, it centers around teachings of different world religions, including lectures from guest speakers and field trips, and for 8th grade, it is an ethics class.
High School Selection and Matriculation
Students begin investigating and shadowing at high schools as early as seventh grade. During eighth grade, students participate in a variety of activities that prepare them for the rigorous high school application process including mock interviews, application essay writing and guides for effective shadow experiences. High schools regularly send representatives to talk to St. Andrew's students about various high schools. These lectures are an optional visit for 7th graders, but mandatory for 8th graders. A day in October is reserved as a "High School Retreat", where 8th graders spend the entire school day writing/editing résumés and application essays, and preparing for interviews.
For more than 30 years Saint Andrew’s Episcopal School has seen 90% or greater of the matriculating 8th grade students accepted to top Catholic and Independent Schools. While most students stay in the area, Saint Andrew's graduates have been accepted to top high schools across the country and internationally as well.
Students from the Class of 2014 are attending: Archbishop Mitty High School, The Harker School, The Nueva School, Bellarmine College Preparatory, The King's Academy, Presentation High School, Castilleja School, Kirby Prep School, Sacred Heart Prep, Cupertino High School, Los Gatos High School, Saratoga High School, Notre Dame High School, Valley Christian High School [4]
References
- ↑ http://www.caisca.org
- ↑ The Tech Challenge www.saintandrewsepiscopalschool.blogspot.com
- ↑ CHARACTER COUNTS!
- ↑