As a Catholic school, education in the faith remains a primary goal. The emphasis on faith accounts for the success of most Catholic schools and St. Agatha Catholic School is no exception. We pride ourselves in providing a safe environment for our students while providing a quality education of the highest standards. An atmosphere of Catholic values and traditions permeates our school, as our academics and programs are centered around these principles. This is demonstrated in our mission statement, which is to help educate and mold, responsible, Catholic citizens for a diverse and dynamic society. The school assists, not only the parents, but also the Church, in providing their children with opportunities to deepen and strengthen academic achievement in accordance with the Christian principles of wisdom, justice, brotherhood, and morality.

The school curriculum aims to develop the total child through: moral and spiritual development, intellectual and cultural information, social responsibility, and physical fitness. Areas that are developed at St. Agatha include: Religion, Science, English, Literature (Reading), Mathematics, Computer Science, Social Studies and Spanish. In addition, students receive instruction in Art, Music, and Physical Education and they visit our school library on a regular basis.

Religion

Religious Education

As a Catholic school, education in the faith remains a primary goal. An atmosphere of Catholic values and traditions permeates our school, as our academics and programs are centered around these principles. This is demonstrated in our mission statement, which is to help educate and mold, responsible, Catholic citizens for a diverse and dynamic society. The school assists, not only the parents, but also the Church, in providing their children with opportunities to deepen and strengthen academic achievement in accordance with the Christian principles of wisdom, justice, brotherhood, and morality.

We hold that religious education has maximum priority in our basic education program. The cooperation of parents in this area is vital. Such cooperation involves participation in Sunday Mass, parental preparation of children for the sacraments, special parish liturgies, adult education class, and retreats.

Sacramental Preparation

The sacramental life of your child is very important to us as a Church community. We know that it is important to you too. There are certain requirements given to us by the Archbishop of Miami through the education office. There are other expectations that the local parish may require for its community for the betterment of its candidates. The parents are the first teachers of their children in the ways of our faith. They are also the best teachers in spiritual matters. It is vital that parents set an example of sincere Christian living by creating a religious atmosphere in the home, by family prayer, frequent reception of the Sacraments and regular participation at Sunday Mass. Students are taught the importance of the 3 T’s (Time, Talent, and Treasure) on a weekly basis. We ask that parents continue to stress the importance of sharing these gifts by bringing their children to Mass every week. Mass attendance is monitored. Each Monday through the collection of coupons or signed bulletins if your family worships in another Catholic parish. If a child has been baptized in a Christian church that is not Roman Catholic and they wish to join our Catholic faith, a Profession of Faith is required prior to receiving any other sacraments. Please notify the office if this pertains to your child.

Mass Attendance

St. Agatha Catholic School students celebrate Holy Mass together on first Fridays of the month or more often as special occasions permit. The Holy Mass is at 8:30 am starting with First Fridays, but because of the school calendar or due to a special Feast Day another day may be chosen. Each class takes a turn hosting and preparing the liturgy. Students may invite and encourage their parents to join us. Other prayer services and devotions should also be celebrated, such as the Stations of the Cross (e.g. during Lent), and the May and October Holy Rosary in Honor of Our Lady. These liturgies are not a replacement for participation at Sunday Holy Mass with the Parish Community but are added opportunities for our children to be trained and grow in their relationship to God and the Body of Christ, the Church.

Athletics

Sports and physical education is an important part of the curriculum and activities at St. Agatha Catholic School. The school also supports the school of thought that students who are physically active and fit are likely to have stronger academic performance overall.

Our faculty and staff are dedicated to the proper development of the entire individual. Our goal is to aid in the spiritual, intellectual, physical, social and emotional growth of all of our students. We take this responsibility very seriously. Each child has been blessed with many talents and gifts. We ask our children to share those talents with us and that they work to the best of their ability. We invite them to grow in their knowledge and love of God as well as their parents, teachers, and classmates.

Our school offers a strong physical education program, as well as a wide variety of extracurricular sporting activities and teams.

Physical Education

St. Agatha Catholic School strongly believes in educating the whole student. Physical Education (P.E.) contributes directly to the development of physical competence and fitness. The benefits of physical education can affect both academic learning and physical activity patterns of students. The healthy, physically active student is more likely to be academically motivated, alert, and successful.

In PK through eighth grades, students will be permitted to wear their complete P.E. uniforms to school (including sneakers – predominately white) and keep them on an entire day.

Sports Teams

In support of the philosophy to develop a child spiritually, emo

tionally, socially, cognitively, and physically, St. Agatha Catholic School offers a wide variety of athletic activities for children of all ages. Our numerous sports teams aim to develop a child’s talents while fostering a challenging and safe environment.

St. Agatha provides various types of extracurricular activities which are designed to meet the needs of and to develop the talents of our students. We do believe that the daily academic work of the student must always remain the first priority.

For a student to be academically eligible to participate in an after-school activity, the following criterion must be met:

The student must maintain an overall “C” average
The student may not receive an ”F” (or “U”) in any subject area on their progress report or report cards.
Student conduct will be closely monitored and will be a determining factor for that student’s continued stay on the team.
The final decision as to student participation will be left to the sponsor/coach and the principal.

Special Education

Exceptional programs for exceptional children

At St. Agatha, we believe that every child has different needs, and these differences should be embraced so that the child may be successful now and in their later life. By acknowledging these differences we are able to sculpt two unique programs, tailoring our instructional approach to maximize your child’s learning potential.

Padre Pio Program

The Padre Pio program strives to serve students who demonstrate average or above average intellectual ability, functioning below their intellectual capacity and exhibiting academic deficits in one or more subject areas. Consequently, the program does not serve students with severe physical, behavioral, and /or emotional needs.

Learn More Here.

Mother Teresa Program

The Mother Teresa program strives to educate children in a Catholic environment, who have varying exceptionalities and/or developmental delays, but do not have severe behavioral, emotional, and/or severe physical limitations.

Learn More Here.