School Overview
John Paul II Academy is a thriving Catholic School. Our legacy of strong academic achievement began over 100 years ago when the Racine Dominican Sisters opened their first school in conjunction with Sacred Heart Parish. Today John Paul II Academy is recognized by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee as an Exemplary School in Educating the Whole Student based on the National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools. We grow the whole child spiritually, academically, emotionally, and socially in the likeness of Jesus. We believe in Catholic teachings and values. We achieve academic success by acknowledging each student’s unique, God-given gifts.
We use evidence-based best practices to ensure our students are achieving academic success. All students are assigned their own tech device and have a balance of digital and written learning. Students work together to problem solve. Project-based learning create engagement. STEAM based units integrate thought processes. Our staff continue to learn through Cesa 6 to continue to incorporate growth in the classroom. Students have opportunities for vertical learning, comfortable seating, or one on one time with a staff member. We have Title I and Sylvan Math Support. Eligible students are able to attend St. Catherine’s for Algebra or other High Schools for ELA credit.
Academics
The Catholic faith is woven into every element of our school day. We begin each day with prayer as a school community, classrooms pray together at lunch, end of day, and in various classes. We attend Mass every Wednesday and on Holy Days. We host weekly prayer services during Lent and Advent. We begin our week with an all school Rosary once a month. Students are offered confession at minimal twice a year. Classrooms attend annual retreats. We participate in the living Rosary and living stations. Sacramental prep classes are offered. Multiage faith-based activities are incorporated throughout the year. Father Richter visits classrooms weekly.
FAITH
We are thrilled to have a full time licensed counselor on staff. Our counselor spends time in the classroom on a bi-weekly basis teaching all students social and emotional skills through the Second Step® program.
This program teaches students to become better equipped to manage their own emotions, form healthy relationships, make good decisions, and cope with everyday social and academic challenges, which in turn makes them better equipped to learn.
Also taught is the Virtue of the Month where emphasis is placed on teaching a specific skill such as honesty, respect, gratitude, forgiveness or discipline. Learning virtuous behaviors helps our students to commit themselves to doing the right thing regardless of the consequences, their urges or desires. Thus, forming students who become agents of change for the good of society.
These programs have positively effected our student self-concept as well as our school culture.
Uniquely John Paul II Academy
“None can sense more deeply than you artists, ingenious creators of beauty that you are, something of the pathos with which God at the dawn of creation looked upon the work of his hands.”
Saint John Paul II