When a Catholic School is also a Renaissance School

Paul Keggington

January 13, 2012

Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity serve at St. Theresa School, Kekaha, HI, the furthest west Catholic School in the U.S.. Sister Hannah Johnecheck writes about St. Theresa School’s selection as a Renaissance School.

Saint Theresa School in Kekaha, Hawaii is thrilled because it has recently been selected to be part of the Renaissance Learning Lighthouse Schools Program. Only a handful of schools are accepted each year.

The program is designed to help schools achieve significant academic growth in all subjects for all students, as well as, improve qualitative measures, such as school climate, teacher satisfaction, parent support, and community engagement. As a Lighthouse Candidate School, Saint Theresa School will participate in a three-year process that will involve the implementation of several technology initiatives.

Each student, first grade and older, has their own personal Neoboard (similar to a laptop); each classroom has a new interactive Promethean Board, and the school, a new computer lab. This new technology significantly, helps the school in setting individualized student goals in the critical skills of reading, math, and writing while providing professional development for teachers. 

Once Saint Theresa School completes the three-year program, it will become an official Lighthouse School.  There is no doubt that growth has begun and will continue at Saint Theresa School.

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