By Guest Blogger Melissa Kinsley, Director, Marketing, Communications & Admissions
What makes a school unique is its sense of community. What makes it truly outstanding is a feeling of “being at home” with family. This is not something you see by touring the school or visiting it virtually online. Rather it is something you feel when you walk through the door.
St. Leo Catholic School is a place where your child and your family will feel at home. The principal and teachers are welcoming. The students are friendly. The staff is warm and inviting.
You will certainly check the key boxes of the criteria for which you are seeking for your child. It offers rigorous academics and instills teamwork and sportsmanship through its athletic program. It offers three languages (Spanish, French and Chinese) for students in grades K-8 with middle school students focusing on one language throughout middle school. It offers a robust arts program including Junior Honor Art Society as well as music and play programs. The school also focuses on teaching the students that a sense of community and giving back is an important aspect of being a contributing member of society.
Students are encouraged to think about their impact on their community and to seek to influence it positively. This is evident through the many charitable outreach programs seen throughout the school. An annual example is the Fourth Grade who adopts a family each Christmas. They raise money through their annual bake sale to buy gifts and shop online for the family. A recent example from this year, the school adopted a sister school in Houston, TX impacted by Hurricane Harvey. Students raised over $500 through a walk-a-thon, “Striving for Service,” to help families impacted by the hurricane at St. Lawrence School. The fundraising idea came from the Student Council. Students are definitely encouraged to bring ideas to help others to the principal and their teachers for consideration and implementation.
The sense of community at St. Leo Catholic School extends to alumni. The school recently held its first annual homecoming. The Principal, as well as current and past teachers, welcomed students from the class of 1956 through the class of 2017 home. The event was a resounding success with alumni reconnecting with old friends as well as connecting with the current students. Alumni left notes on the classroom white boards for students to see when they returned from Thanksgiving break.
For the past 23 years, St. Leo Catholic also extends an annual invitation to the Winston Salem community to join them at their annual Run Leo Road Race. The run has grown over the years from a few hundred runners to over a thousand runners participating. There is a run for everyone—a fun run, 5K, 10K and the “Beast” for those who want a challenge and run the 5K and 10K back-to-back. The race attracts everyone from serious runners to parents with strollers to dog walkers. So while you may be pushing for your PBR, it is as much about community and comradery as it is about race times. Everyone comes together to cheer each other on along the route and at the finish line. A prize is given for “best costume.” There’s always a pasta dinner the night before to kick-off this community event. This year, the race will be held on March 17th, St. Patrick’s Day so there’s sure to be a sea of green traversing through Buena Vista. Be part of the fun and sign-up by March 12th.
If you are looking for a place where your child is not only challenged academically but also finds a community that feels like family, St. Leo Catholic School is the place you can call home. Schedule a tour today or join us at them at their Open House, March 14th from 11 am to 2 pm.
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