St. Philomena Academy
Education for Time and Eternity
As an outgrowth of their commitment to life and to their Catholic faith, St. Joseph's House began St. Philomena Academy over seven years ago. The academy is an attempt to help homeschooling families to foster a more Catholic atmosphere in their homes by creating a community united by the bonds of the faith, academics, and social interaction. (click on the icon of St. Philomena to jump to the SPA website)
SPA starts 2011 year with over 115 students!
A truly "Christ-centered School"
St. Philomena Academy is a Christ-centered school where the daily life of the teachers and students revolves around and is permeated by, the teachings of Jesus Christ. Our primary goal is the mission of the Church: The salvation and sanctification of souls.
This mission is accomplished by offering a classical curriculum for grades K-12 where the rhythm of the daily schedule is seasoned with prayer, study, and fellowship.
The Mission of St. Philomena Academy is realized through the intimate and focused medium of a small school environment and highly dedicated staff to form classically educated young men and women with the purpose that:
Each student will achieve salvation;
Deepen in intellect and character;
Grow spiritually;
Develop the ability to more clearly articulate thoughts and ideas;
Exercise Christian virtues
of faith,hope and charity.
Mother of Divine Grace Curriculum
St. Philomena Academy follows the great intellectual tradition of the classical liberal arts. Students read the finest literature –be it imaginative, persuasive, logical, scientific, or doctrinal so the great scholars and authors of the last two-and-a-half millennia become their teachers. Additionally, youngsters in the fourth grade begin the study of Latin, which will continue through high school. Study of these ideas, works of art, and languages inspire the imagination and create a thirst for knowledge.
St. Philomena Academy uses the classical curriculum designed by Laura M. Berquist, founder and director of Mother of Divine Grace, Ojai, California, with some modifications.
If you would like to become a volunteer teacher or teacher's assistant please contact us.
St. Philomena Academy is solely supported by donations and charges no tuition!
Click on the picture of St. Philomena!
"A place where truth and goodness are the norm."
Saint Joseph’s House has empowered my family to become holier, well educated and formed in the truth. The Kurtz family works incessantly toward these goals for every family they serve through Saint Philomena Academy and all the outreaches of Saint Joseph’s House. We have been blessed to know the Kurtz family for over twenty years. For the past five years, the Kurtz Family through Saint Philomena Academy has assisted and supported our family in the daunting task of home schooling four (now five) children.
We choose to educate our children through Saint Philomena Academy for a variety of reasons.
· The holy and safe environment that prevails at the school
· The excellent standards of the classical curriculum that the school employs
· Dedicated teachers and staff that give our children educational opportunities they would not receive solely home schooling.
· Steadfast allegiance to the Holy Magesterium
· Strong moral and ethical standards that are upheld by everyone who attends Saint Philomena’s.
It is no accident that Saint Philomena Academy is such light in the darkness. I believe it is product of God’s blessing and guidance and the hard work of many dedicated, hard working, good people.
The school is run solely on the generosity of donors. We run a very modest operation but even that has many costs. The majority of families who attend the school are single income families who work very hard to make ends meet. The heavy load that we all carry of raising families in the Light of Christ and educating them ourselves does not leave much time for fundraising and other income generating activities. The mom is either giving of her time assisting at the school, or running her own household and teaching on “home days”. The Kurtz family has kept Saint Philomena Academy afloat for six years while running the school, teaching at school and on home days, running their own household of 24 people, and still serving the community in many different capacities.
Saint Joseph’s House has given us a place to come together with other Catholic families. It is a place where truth and goodness are the norm, a place where families can encourage each other on our paths to heaven. (Submitted by Jen and Frank Scheidel)
Finally, my junior year of high school came, which was my second year at St. Philomena’s Academy, I began to do well in my studies. It was at this point that I began to realize how much the teaching style and the curriculum were affecting me and how well I was learning. By the end of my senior year it had become apparent that, because of the education that I had received at St. Philomena’s, I felt ready for the challenges to come, and not only was going to college now possible, but it was a reality. I have no doubt in my mind that I owe the fact that I am at college to my high school education. The greatest factor in this, though there were many positive attributes, was class structure. We met two days a week, which helped to give motivation to the students, because we knew that we always had an extra day to do our work, as well as the teachers who were always there to teach, listen, and give instruction if you ever needed them. The point that I am trying to get across is that I didn’t believe that I would or could ever get to college. Now, thanks to St. Philomena’s Academy, I am currently a student at Franciscan University of Steubenville.
Kevin Gallagher
Graduate of St. Philomena's Academy
