Our Philosophy

At St. Paul of the Cross School, we believe that education stimulates the natural inquisitiveness of children and focuses their desire to learn. We believe that each student is a unique individual who must be encouraged to act positively as part of the Christian community and society in general. We believe that through an enriched prayer life, an awareness of the needs of others, and study of our faith, the student will grow in his/her Catholic life. Our ultimate goal is to involve the students in the mission of Jesus, love of God, and love of their neighbor, and to promote in each of our students a healthy self-concept and respect for society at large. To reach this goal, we set the following objectives:

  • To assist parents, who are the primary educators of their child’s growth. 
  • To develop spirituality through daily prayer, the study of the Lord’s work in scripture, and liturgical celebration.
  • To assist and guide parents in the preparation of their children for the reception of the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation.
  • To recognize all aspects of student growth: spiritual, moral, emotional, physical, and intellectual.
  • To design a curriculum which meets the diverse needs of children with provisions for different styles and modes of learning.
  • To create an atmosphere where learning is fostered by creative methods encouraging the child to be a self-initiated learner.

Go make a difference, we can make a difference.” Whenever school mass at SPC ended with that song, it stayed in my head the rest of the day.
Through scholarship and service, and always guided by faith, I will continue on the journey that began at SPC and find my own way to “ go make a difference in the world.”

Cian Haugh, SPC Class of 2020

Mission

St. Paul of the Cross School is a vibrant Catholic community that instills a strong faith foundation in students from preschool through eighth grade. Our rigorous curriculum is inclusive, collaborative and differentiated. St. Paul of the Cross School engages students and families in a comprehensive approach to the social, emotional, physical, and spiritual growth through a variety of co-curricular service, learning, and athletic programs. Our graduates are faith-filled leaders equipped with 21st century skills and prepared to succeed in an evolving global society as committed Christians and loyal citizens.

National Blue Ribbon School

On Thursday, September 24, 2020, Saint Paul of the Cross School was named by the U.S. Department of Education as a National Blue Ribbon School for 2020. Saint Paul of the Cross School is 1 of 7 non-public elementary schools in Illinois (all 7 are part of the Chicago Archdiocese) to receive this honor. This award was given to Saint Paul of the Cross School for being an exemplary high performing school.

The coveted National Blue Ribbon Schools award affirms the hard work of educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content.