Principal Welcome Letter
Dear Friends,
As the principal of St. Barnabas School, it is my pleasure to welcome you to our school, our community and our faith family. We hope you take time to explore the many wonderful opportunities St. Barnabas can provide your family, for it is truly a special place where children are treated as individuals but also as members of God’s family.
Integrated into each school day is an adherence to the Christian values of reverence, respect and responsibility, the cornerstone of our commitment to develop the whole child and prepare him or her for a happy and meaningful future. Our faith-based education extends beyond the classroom to guide our students in the many athletic and extra-curricular endeavors that are available at St. Barnabas School.
Many people talk about the “St. Barnabas difference” where children at every level are inspired to learn and achieve academic success. Project MATCH (Matching Achievement to Curriculum Heights) benefits students by grouping them according to ability in the areas of math and reading. We continue to offer resource support through our two learning specialists and a math resource teacher. We provide enrichment opportunities for children desiring additional challenges. Our computer lab offers state-of-the-art technology and instruction in research and communication.
Our long tradition of academic excellence is evidenced through our Terra Nova standardized testing scores, which consistently rank well above the national average. Ninety-nine percent of our graduates are accepted into the high schools of their choice, which includes top-tier Catholic and college prep institutions, and many are rewarded with scholarships for their academic achievements.
Integrated into each school day is an adherence to the Christian values of reverence, respect and responsibility, the cornerstone of our commitment to develop the whole child and prepare him or her for a happy and meaningful future. Our faith-based education extends beyond the classroom to guide our students in the many athletic and extra-curricular endeavors that are available at St. Barnabas School.
Our long tradition of academic excellence is evidenced through our Terra Nova standardized test scores in which 62% of our students score in the 75% or above. Ninety-nine percent of our graduates are accepted into the high schools of their choice, which includes top-tier Catholic and college prep institutions. Many are rewarded with scholarships for their academic achievements.
Although we share a common bond through our faith, we respect our students as individuals and celebrate our diversity, which includes a variety of facial and ethnic backgrounds. Although they enter kindergarten from different walks of life, the majority completes their entire elementary education at St. Barnabas and rejoices in the unity that they developed as a class and as a part of the school.
We are especially pleased with the completion of our strategic 5-year plan. This plan is a living, working document that outlines our hopes and dreams for the future. From this plan, we have added 2 part-time counselors to our staff; one math resource teacher; a character education program; and have a strong focus on technology integration in the classroom. The Spanish and music curricula have been revised to meet our needs and continue to be based on Illinois Learning Standards.
Our curricula in reading and math meet the Common Core standards as well as the Illinois and Archdiocese of Chicago standards.
We invite you to be a part of our journey.
With this website we have done our best to give visitors a glimpse of St. Barnabas School. Please check our school newsletter for up-to-date information and a “Note from Mrs. Barnes.” I invite you to personally visit our school to sense and experience first hand all that is St. Barnabas.
Sincerely,
Lenore Barnes
Principal