Saint Valentine School

At St. Valentine School, it is easy to see how values form our foundation. You can see even before you walk in the school doors. A bus load of happy kids, pouring off the bus and walking up the stairs into school would be easy to spot. A big kid holding open the door for some of the smaller ones is likely to happen. Student after student politely saying, "Hello", to the principal on the front steps is a daily event.

After walking through the doors, you will find out even more about what makes St. Valentine a special place. Here a safe, structured, yet comfortable environment of positive attitudes and good behaviors, instrumental to the learning process, is part of our daily routine.

Religious Teachings:
Faith in Our Future
At St. Valentine School, we take seriously our roles as teachers of the Catholic faith. We unabashedly promote values - aboveboard and out in the open. We consider every moment of every day as an opportunity to instill a love for Jesus, foster an appreciation of our role as part of God's family, and nurture moral and spiritual development.

Of course, our teachers set aside daily class time, as well, to teach our students the doctrine, attitudes, and values that are our Catholic faith. As part of our curriculum, students also attend weekly liturgies, receive the sacraments, participate in various prayer services, and celebrate holidays in a religious manner.

A Well Rounded Curriculum
Built on the Fundamentals
Our students are strong in the fundamentals: reading, writing, and mathematics, along with social studies and science. At the same time, they have benefited from a well rounded curriculum that also includes foreign language, computer skills, history, music, art, geopgraphy, spelling, handwriting, literature, physical education, library skills, english and, of course, religious education. For interested students, the curriculum can also include band instructions or Suzuki violin lessons.

Academic Quality:
Always a Step Ahead
We are proud of our academic success at St. Valentine School. Year after year, our students score well above national averages on standardized tests. Similarly, our students consistently perform superbly in academically based extracurricular activities, such as Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS), Math Counts, and Forensics.

Our strong academic program prepares our students for success in high school and beyond. Names of our graduates consistently appear on honor rolls at local high schools. At graduation time, a high percentage of our students receive additional honors and accolades. Many times scholarships, along with their diplomas, are earned by our graduates.

Discipline for Safety and Success
Discipline is essential to academic success and personal safety. We stress self-discipline, otherwise known as good habits. In a disciplined environment, expectations are higher, and students rise to meet the challenge. Each and every student has the right to learn and, along with that right, the responsibility to behave in a manner consistent with learning. As part of our values-based education, our students understand their rights and responsibilities and, accordingly, respect their fellow students' right to learn in a safe environment.

A Close-Knit Environment
Filled with Personal Attention
Students at St. Valentine enjoy the highest level of personal attention. Due to our close-knit environment and comfortable size, we are able to come to know our students as unique individuals with special talents and distinct needs. We recognize each student's capabilities and foster an environment in which every student builds self-esteem and gains the confidence needed to realize their maximum potential.

Faculty Commitment:
Above and Beyond
Our teachers' commitment to the development of our students' heart, mind, and soul is unequalled. You may see it in every facet of the student-teacher relationship, and it extends to the parent-teacher relationship, as well. You may see it in the extra time spent helping students before school, during lunch, after school, or even on weekends or vacations. You may hear it in the phone call home to reassure a concerned parent. You may sense it in the compassionate pat on the back when a student experiences a difficulty or sadness.

Our teachers also care about their own academic and spiritual growth. All of them are certified by both the State of Pennsylvania and the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Many of our teachers have master's degrees, and all of our teachers broaden their minds through post-graduate studies, frequent seminars and workshops, and continuing education classes. In addition, all the members of our faculty gather on a weekly basis to pray together as a group.

Parental Involvement
For Maximum Success
The possibilities are endless when parents support the educational process by giving of their time and talents. At St. Valentine's, parents play an integral role in the education of their children through the Parent-Teacher Guild (P.T.G.), the Long Range Planning Committee, Athletic Association, and various fundraising activities. In addition, parents may enjoy a variety of opportunities to volunteer on site - homeroom parent, playground monitor, cafeteria volunteer, office helper, computer lab assistant, art workshop leader, or field trip chaperone.

Extracurricular Activities
Extend The Learning Experience
Outside the classroom, our students continue their learning and grow through a variety of extracurricular activities. Opportunities for participation, teamwork, and leadership include the children's choir, boys' and girls' basketball, cheerleading, forensics, school newspaper, Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science, Math Counts, and the entire spectrum of Boy Scout and Girl Scout programs. In addition, the students enjoy regular field trips and additional educational assemblies.

Outcomes that Only a Catholic Education Can Promise
At St. Valentine, we accept responsibility for teaching our students more than academics. The St. Valentine graduates of today will be the solid citizens of our community tomorrow. They will be devoted mothers and fathers. They will be responsible and honest employees and employers. They will be successful doctors, priests, nuns, lawyers, or teachers. Most of all, they will be caring members of our society and the future of our Catholic Church.

If you would like to know more about St. Valentine School, please call us at (412) 835-3780. We would be more than happy to tell you about how values form our foundation.

Web Page Comments: svoffice@adelphia.net
Page groundbreaking on Jan 25 1998
Page last updated on April 13 2003
St Valentines - 2709 Mesta St - Bethel Park, PA 15102
"So Very Special"