Small School Advantages

Christ Centered = High Moral Values

Everything at St. Benedict revolves around Christ, which means that your child will be taught to live a life of Christ-like actions. Whether it be attending Mass, praying for a family in need, or attending religion class each day, Christ is always front and center in education, and we teach our students to practice these teachings every day. Catholic education not only focuses on engagement and responsibility in relation to the church, but also to the community as a whole. Even if you and your family are not Catholic, you can be proud of the service, values and high academic standards that your child will learn. About 30%-40% of our student body is non-Catholic, all backgrounds and religions are welcomed!

Service Learning

Service learning is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities. Our school family promotes the Benedictine tradition of “Ora et Labora” – prayer and work. Service learning is at the forefront of education at St. Benedict, as students learn the importance of volunteerism, selflessness and community service.

Affordability

While private schools are typically thought to be better than public schools, a lot of parents can’t afford the hefty price tag that is attached to the fancy education. Private Catholic schools offer the same great education as private schools, for a fraction of the cost. Private Catholic schools, like St. Benedict, are able to offer a private school education at an affordable rate because costs are offset by the church and the dioceses. There are also tuition assistance programs for parish families who need help, making it a viable opportunity for families everywhere.

Sense of Community

Our small school enables our teachers and staff to focus on students as individuals instead of lumping them into groups. The teaching and student support teams know every student, providing a safe, friendly, and comfortable atmosphere during a time of significant growth and development. We are proud to have a student to teacher ratio of 12:1, which means teachers aren’t overburdened and can provide your child with the individualized attention they deserve. The average student to teacher ratio in Alabama public schools is 18:1, which means your child would get far less attention in a public school.

There are many other benefits that come with attending a small school like St. Benedict:

- Community atmosphere
- Less bullying and cliques
- Provides extra opportunities for shy students
- Enhances student-teacher relationships
- Fosters student leadership through mentoring

Convenience for the Parent

At St. Benedict Catholic School we understand the stresses and burdens of everyday life, which is why we try to make your experience as a parent as easy as possible. We believe that uniforms promote equality and create a feeling of community, while also helping out at home. Uniforms make the morning routine easier, so parents can focus on feeding and connecting with their children before they head off to school. Uniforms can also be used as a great teaching tool for kids by involving them in preparing their outfits for the week.

We have also recently added our catering lunch program, which means no more waking up early to make your child’s lunch, or rushing it to school after they’ve left it on the counter. This new flexible program allows you to go online, prepay and select your child’s lunch making it easier for you and them. Your child will love the options, ranging from Chick-Fil-A to Panda Express.