Why St. Patrick?

St Patrick’s is in a league of it’s own! If you are looking for a place that feels more like a home than a school, this is that place. The entire staff is inviting and you will be hard pressed to find a group of teachers who work harder. Tuition assistance makes it affordable for every family and the uniform exchange has saved us hundreds in uniform costs. Attending public school as a child, I was apprehensive when first touring the school. The lighthouse program and the extra curricular activities available cemented my decision. You will immediately see the value of this investment in your children’s future. I can’t imagine our family attending any other school! We love the St Pats Family!

—Nathan P. Allison, parent
 

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Why Choose St. Patrick Catholic School?

As parents we need to make many choices for our children. St. Patrick School provides students of all faiths with personalized learning, a challenging curriculum, and a caring Christian environment that emphasizes values, morals, and service to others. 

Choosing a Catholic education at St. Patrick is one decision that will affect your child for years to come. We develop students who not only succeed academically but put their faith into action in their daily lives. We respect students of other faiths and welcome the diversity families of other religious backgrounds bring to our school.

St. Patrick Catholic School is accredited through the Iowa Department of Education. This means the school meets (or exceeds) all of the stated Department of Education requirements for nonpublic schools including alignment with curriculum standards and reporting student assessment data. All administrators and teachers are licensed through the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners. We welcome families of all faiths with open arms, and our student population is actually more diverse than our hometown of Cedar Falls.

Dedicated teachers will work with you and get to know your child to create the optimal learning experience. Teaching teams will challenge your child with hands-on, project-based learning. Students explore their interests, work collaboratively, and enjoy the benefits of early foreign language instruction and fine arts. Students who excel are provided with opportunities to accelerate their learning even further. Students who need extra help get it.

We've been here for a long time—since 1891 to be exact. We are Established in Faith and Distinguished in Education. Our rich tradition of excellence continues with innovative teaching strategies, the Leader in Me,  and state-of-the-art resources in newly renovated buildings. 

I am looking for a strong academic program. Tell me more!

• St. Patrick students consistently excel in academics. Student scores on standardized tests exceed local, state, and national averages.
• Your child will benefit from early foreign language instruction with our K-8 Spanish curriculum.
• Student teacher ratios are 15:1, and your child will enjoy small group learning (differentiated instuction) for math and language arts in all grade levels.
• A hands-on science curriculum will allow your child to solve problems through investigation, experiementation, and analysis.
• Your student will have the highest quality resources
  • Chromebooks for grade 3-8 and carts of iPads for use by all
  • Interactive white board projectors for an immersive learning experience
  • Science lab, Spanish room, art studio, music and band rooms, full size gym, and the Collaboration and Communion Center which houses our library and provides a welcoming setting for small and large groups.

• First and foremost we are a Catholic school. Students grow in faith and put their faith to work as respectful citizens who seek to make a difference in the world around them. Service learning is part of our curriculum!
• We provide ample time for all subjects including social studies, science, Spanish, PE, music, art, and guidance in addition to math and language arts. 
• The Leader in Me program recognizes that all students can be leaders. We cultivate the soft skills students need for success in high school and beyond including goal setting, presentation-making, and the ability to work in groups.
• We know that fine arts are important! St. Patrick has excellent music, band and art programs as well as after-school enrichment options. From musicals, to our annual art showcase, jazz band competition, and LEGO League exhibitions—there is truly something, or many things, for everyone!

I hear so much about the sense of community. What's that all about?

• No other school will give you and your child as many opportunities to be with other students, parents, and teachers in a caring environment.  We will know your child and your child's strengths, interests, and areas for improvement.
• Shared values bind us as a family. Parents are welcome at Monday Morning Prayer, student-led bimonthly Masses, and activities.
• Attend Mass at our parish and you will see many of your child’s teachers and classmates.
• Our sports program starts in grade five and brings families together in support of our student athletes.
• Our active Catholic Parent Teacher Organization (CPTO) supports our school and sponsors events for students and families.

Do you offer options such as day care and bus service? 

• Yes, onsite before and after school care makes life simple for busy families.
• Optional bus transportation is available with two St. Patrick buses serving Cedar Falls.

Is St. Patrick affordable?

Our goal is to help make a Catholic education possible for your family. St. Patrick Catholic School welcomes students of all faiths. We offer a special rate for St. Patrick Parishioners and discounts for Catholic and non-Catholic families with multiple students. We strive to keep our tuition affordable, yet we are committed to an optimal student to teacher ratio, which is currently 15:1. We are grateful for the financial support provided by St. Patrick Parish and generous sponsors.

• State of Iowa tax credit: Taxpayers who have one or more dependents attending grades KINDERGARTEN THROUGH TWELVE in an Iowa school may take a credit for each dependent for amounts paid for tuition. The credit is 25% of the first $2,000 paid for each dependent for tuition and textbooks. Depending on your situation, that might mean $500 per child.
• SCRIP rebates: Buy gift cards at face value through our SCRIP program and use them for your family's regular purchases of food, household items, clothing, gasoline, auto repairs, and more. One-half of the listed rebate goes toward your child's tuition. Family and friends can designate their rebates to your child too!
• Tuition payment with 529 Plan: You may be eligible for a state tax credit for Iowa 529 plan deposits and your money grows tax free for eligible tuition and education expenses. Please consult the Iowa 529 Plan website and your financial advisor for details. 
• Apply for an Education Savings Account (ESA), if you beleive you are eligible. Visit our ESA page for more information.

Contact us to put your name on the mailing list for registration materials and information.

I am so glad that we decided to send our children to St. Patrick School! My third-grader decided he needed to go to St. Pat's during the Catholic Schools Week weekend mass when he was in preschool. The faculty, staff, and students are extremely welcoming--an older student approached my nervous first-grader to calm him down on the first day of school.  Where else would you see that?  By third grade, my son is reading at a 7th-grade level. Test scores are amazing, the teachers are fabulous, and having Circle of Care before and after school really helps out working parents!

—Lisa, parent

St. Patrick School was the best decision my parents ever made for me.

—Cassidy, alumna