Welcome to St. Patrick Fine Arts Elementary School
Mission Statement: St. Patrick Fine Arts Elementary School is a Christ-centered community actively engaging each child spiritually, academically, physically and creatively within a strong academic fine arts program serving the world in meaningful ways.
Motto: "Uniting the Arts and Gospel Values"
Twitter: @spfaschool #hs4
Facebook: @spfaschool
Instagram: @spfaschool
Our nearly 300 student Kindergarten to Grade 6 school is nestled in the RiverStone subdivision on Lethbridge's growing west side, and is the only dedicated fine arts school in Lethbridge. Through the arts, we live our Catholic faith and bring our students' talents to light as we teach and learn daily through the arts including music, visual art, dance and drama. It is with this approach that we study curricula as required by the Alberta Program of Studies.
Our 'regular' boundary neighbourhoods include all residents south of Macleod Drive W: RiverStone, Canyons, SunRidge, Paradise Canyon, and Mountain Heights. Families outside of this boundary can apply to attend St. Patrick Fine Arts, and enrollment is based on available space in the requested grade(s) year to year. Transportation fees apply and transportation is only available in areas where routes exist. For more information about transportation, please click here.
Our largest class size is around 25 students, and there are 2 homeroom teachers for each grade (1-6) with the exception of grades 2 and 3 that have 1 of each and a combined class. This sets everyone up for the best in creative collaboration. We utilize iPads, Chromebooks, numerous classroom computers (including in the art studio and drama workshop) as well as an increasing number of BYOD learning experiences. Integrating technology to enhance individual and group learning and is a key part of our age-appropriate program design; students grow in their digital technology skills at every stage, as well.
To complement daily instruction, we offer lunchtime club opportunities in each of the arts throughout the year. Students are able to pursue their arts interests in choral singing, art, drama and dance by participating in any or all of these lunchtime clubs. Choir and dance clubs often perform at our school celebrations and assemblies. Other club opportunities include STEAM, comic creations, book clubs, and student leadership.
Our fine arts program is enriched by our students taking their talents to the greater community. St. Patrick choirs have participated in many city events, including Christmas carols at City Hall, singing with the Lethbridge Symphony Kids Night, as well as many others. Each class is entered in the Lethbridge Music and Speech Arts Festival, and have found those experiences to be very rewarding. Our Christmas Concert is a wonderfully traditional 2-evening event at Southminster United Church, and, after a very full year of fine arts activities, a year-end Learning Through the Arts Festival rounds out the students' performance opportunities.
To honour a desire for well-roundedness in our students, we also offer athletic-minded clubs, hands-on exploration clubs, and option 'workshop' classes (for grade 4-6). St. Patrick has the seasonal opportunities to join grade 6 volleyball and basketball leagues, as well. All of our students' gifts are worthy of celebration, and students who excel in a wide range of areas have a place at our school. Their exposure to the arts will only strengthen their other areas of interest and talent!
Along with daily religious instruction rooted in gospel values, our mission as a Catholic school calls for us to reach out to the wider community through classroom social justice projects. We actively support Mission Mexico, local food banks, Chalice, as well as other worthy projects with local community partners. The liturgical year guides our school celebrations, and we gather often as a school to sing and pray together. All students participate in a lively retreat each year, and many will partake in First Holy Communion and Confirmation sacraments while attending St. Patrick.
St. Patrick Fine Arts Elementary School is a growing, vibrant and energetic school with a bright future and proud history of providing a fulfilling and rich arts experience for every student. Our parents agree: "...it is a Christ-centered school that encourages our children to grow spiritually and to learn in a creative and active environment. We love the teachers and staff who share their talents and wonderful skills and experiences with our children."
