About St. Leonard School

Exemplary Recognition

St. Leonard Catholic School is proud to announce that as of June 21, 2023, we have received Exemplary Status in Mission and Catholic Identity from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. This designation is given for St. Leonard School’s efforts in faith development, integration of Catholic Social Teachings, unified mission, positive impact of the parish and school’s relationship, formation of the spiritual lives of its students, parents, faculty and staff, academic excellence and service. To achieve Exemplary Status, a school must be identified as Highly Effective in at least 75% of the determined categories, and no ratings below the expected level. Exemplary Statuses are determined by an application and an on-site team visit from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee’s Office of Catholic Schools. 

 

During the Exemplary Award presentation on September 15, 2023, Edward Foy- the Superintendent for Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee- gave some remarks on how we earned this recognition:

  • St. Leonard has embraced a unified mission statement [for] the parish and school and has created a positive parish-school relationship.
  • St. Leonard has demonstrated the impact that faith development has on its students and their parents.
  • St. Leonard has effectively integrated our Church’s Catholic Social Teachings into its academic program.
  • St. Leonard’s pastor has an impactful presence in school that supports its Catholic identity.
  • St. Leonard’s leadership has prioritized the faith development of its faculty. 

Goals

St. Leonard’s goals are to educate the whole child- mind, body, and spirit- while fostering a deep love for God, a commitment to service, and an understanding of the Catholic faith that guides students throughout their lives. We achieve this by:


1. Forming Christian Disciples and Promoting Catholic Identity

  • Fostering our Faith: Central to a St. Leonard education is the formation of students in the Catholic faith. This includes teaching them about the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, the sacraments, prayer, and the importance of living out their faith in everyday life.
  • Developing Moral and Ethical Decision Making: We emphasize the development of strong moral character, encouraging students to act with integrity, compassion, and a sense of justice, following the example of Christ.


2. Providing Academic Excellence

  • Rigorous Curriculum: We aim to provide a high-quality, 21st century education that prepares students for future academic success. The curriculum includes core subjects such as math, reading, science, social studies, and language arts, as well as art, music, and physical education.
  • Critical Thinking: We encourage students to develop critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and a lifelong love for learning.


3. Creating a Safe and Nurturing Environment

  • Respect for All: We strive to create a learning environment where students feel safe, respected, and valued. This includes promoting kindness, empathy, and respect for the dignity of every person.
  • Emotional and Social Development: Teachers and staff support students' emotional growth, helping them develop self-esteem, interpersonal skills, and a sense of community.


4. Promoting Service and Social Responsibility

  • Charity and Service: Teachers emphasize the importance of serving others. Students are encouraged to participate in service projects, help those in need, and make a positive difference in their communities.
  • Social Justice: Students are taught to advocate for justice, care for the poor and marginalized, and make decisions that reflect their faith in action.


5. Instilling a Love of God and Neighbor

  • Building Community: Through various activities, we aim to create a strong sense of community among students, faculty, families, and the broader parish. This fosters a sense of belonging and helps students understand the importance of relationships and collaboration.
  • Encourage Prayer and Worship: Daily prayer, attendance at Mass, and other religious activities help students to grow in their spiritual lives and develop a personal relationship with God.

Philosophy

  • St. Leonard School, as an educational facility of the parish, shares with the parish the same general mission of accepting the responsibility of proclaiming Jesus. This is accomplished by teaching the message revealed by God through His Son, Jesus, by experiencing Catholic Christian Community, and by spreading and sharing this truth and love in service to others.
  • The school believes that the light of faith received at Baptism must be integrated into all of life in the spirit of the Church in accordance with the Second Vatican Council.
  • All those involved in the school- faculty, service personnel, students, parents- strive to build a loving, caring community of faith. Together all grow in service to God, one another, and the broader community, so as to experience the fullness of life.
  • The school strives to integrate Gospel values in curriculum teaching so that the whole child is educated in the spiritual, intellectual, social and personal modes and encouraged to develop to his/her greatest potential.