Atlantic Ave Magazine - April 2020 Issue

SAINT JOSEPH’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL
Embracing Learning,
Love and Your Child
By diane feen | photos by melissa korman
It’s natural for a child to enjoy play time and exciting new
ventures. Yet, some schools are the last place a young person
sees as an adventure to learn and explore.
But that’s not the case at Saint Joseph’s Episcopal School in
Boynton Beach.
The school has two campuses – one for young children (six
weeks to three-years-old) and the main campus for ages three to 8th
grade. The common ground is rooted in the fundamentals of learning
and nurturing children so they can reach their full potential.
This is accomplished through small classrooms (average 13 to 20
students) with a teacher ratio of about one teacher per eight students.
But it’s not just the small individualized education they get,
it’s the quality of education and experiential learning they receive
on a daily basis.
The mission at Saint Joseph’s Episcopal School is to fundamentally
nurture the whole child.
“We nurture and enlighten the whole child with a focus on spirituality,
science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics (S-
S.T.E.A.M.). We also foster collaboration, critical thinking, and 21st century
skills,” said Kyle Aubrey, Head of Saint Joseph’s Episcopal School.
Children begin their educational journey within this comprehensive
curriculum.
Classes are uniquely different than many schools. The reason is
simply that learning at St. Joe’s is fun and engaging with teachers
who are dedicated and embrace their mission.
Academics are at the heart of St. Joe’s
Each St. Joe’s student engages technology - the key to S-STEAM
The teachers at St. Joe’s exude a selfless adoration of children that
makes the children glow in their presence. Children are riveted by
their teaching methods and hands-on approach to learning.
All the teachers at St. Joe’s are kind and nurturing with a holistic
approach to learning based on what is best for each child.
For example, the music teacher has a colorful rack of ukuleles lined
up for children to play, as well as xylophones, drums, a piano and
recorders. Students are encouraged to grow and expand their love of
music through the Orff Schulwork Approach, which emphasizes play
based learning.
If love makes the world go around, then it’s computers that keeps
it on its axis. That is why St. Joe’s has a Smart Lab, with MAC computers
and a Computer Lab with PCs. Learning is self-directed and mixes
wonderment with wisdom. Using software as their guide they made
Robots using Legos and wrote code to create musical instruments
out of cardboard.
They have a great technology program where the teacher is teaching
the 5th grade about circuitry so they can create electricity via a computer
to make music. The group is called Blessed Beats and the music
was divinely ordained by young children having fun and learning.
The art teacher is equally as engaging with a love for art and a way
of bringing out the creative ability in each student. They’re making
62 | april 2020 | www.AtlanticAveMagazine.com