Frequently Asked Questions
ARE THE CURRICULUM AND TEST SCORES OF HIGH QUALITY?
The curriculum at St. Louise consists of religion, language arts, reading, social studies, science, math, physical education, technology education, library skills, art, music, handwriting, Spanish, and personal safety, with a study skills program integrated throughout the curriculum. All curricular areas are updated and evaluated by the staff on a regular basis. High academic expectations from our teachers are one of the reasons why we have hard working students and well above average scores in our national assessment – the MAP Growth tests. These assessments in the areas of reading, language arts, and math are taken in grades 2-7, and St. Louise students perform well above the national norm. Furthermore, our 8th grade graduates who desire a Catholic or private high school are admitted at a near 100% admissions rate to all these high schools in King County, and later matriculate to impressive universities.
ARE THERE EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE FOR MY CHILD?
- All grade K-8 students have different opportunities to participate in extra-curricular offerings after school throughout the year. Some of the after school offerings include: Spanish language club; drama program; competitive speech team; competitive math team; chess club; choir; cooking club; art club; STEM club; debate club; mock trial club.
- K-8 students may participate in soccer and cross-country athletic programs, while grade 4-8 students are also able to play on our basketball, volleyball, baseball, and track teams. We compete in the CYO league (Catholic Youth Organization) against other Catholic schools in King County.
- Fifth graders comprise our safety patrol team, sixth graders participate in a weeklong, overnight, environmental education camp at the base of Mt. Rainier, and seventh and eighth graders attend weekly elective classes, which enrich their education by providing unique learning experiences not typically offered to middle school
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE UNIQUE FEATURES OF ST. LOUISE SCHOOL?
- Daily prayer and religion classes are the backbone of the religion curriculum with bi-monthly all-school Masses.
- Both school-wide and individual class service projects are conducted throughout the year.
- A pre-kindergarten class for four-year-olds meets daily. With a teacher and instructional assistant, the maximum student to teacher ratio in Pre-K is 9:1. There is an option for preschoolers to attend an extended day, dismissing at the regular 3:00 dismissal time for the older students.
- Kindergarten classes attend for the full-day, with a teacher and an instructional assistant, the student to teacher ratio in kindergarten is typically 9:1.
- All other grade levels consist of two classes per grade, with a maximum class size of 26, but the overall school average is 15 students per class.
- With over 300 students in grades Pre-K through 8th, the student to teacher ratio for the entire school on average is no more than 13:1.
- St. Louise is a parent participation school. Our families are strengthened by greater school involvement, while our children benefit in innumerable ways from their parents working as library workers, classroom helpers, office assistants, and playground supervisors, to name just a few.
- St. Louise is state approved and accredited by the Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA).
- Fundraising is an integral part of our revenue, allowing tuition to stay at an affordable rate. All families participate in four major fundraising events: the Auction, the Annual Fund, Charger Cards (scrip), and a Walk-a-Thon.
- Financial assistance based on need is available, and approximately 10% of our students qualify for these scholarships.
DO YOU OFFER BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CHILD CARE?
Affordable daycare is provided by the St. Louise Kids’ Club on-site between 7:00 and 8:20 a.m. and between 3:00 and 5:45 p.m. (2:00 and 5:45 p.m. on Mondays). Space is limited. Children accepted for admission to St. Louise School are not necessarily admitted to Kids’ Club. For more information on the program regarding application and fees, please go to our website - http://www.stlouiseschool.org/kidsclub.
TO WHICH HIGH SCHOOLS DO YOUR 8TH GRADE GRADUATES MATRICULATE?
Since St. Louise School is a “destination” elementary school, with many of our families driving past their neighborhood school and past another Catholic school or two on the Eastside in order to attend here, we draw from localities as far south as Kent, as far east as North Bend, and as far north as Lynnwood. Thus, in an average year, our graduates go on to 12 different high schools all over King County. Approximately half attend public high schools and half attend the region’s Catholic high schools. We encourage you to contact these high schools and ask about St. Louise graduates. The high schools will tell you how well prepared St. Louise graduates are and how the schools love receiving our students because they are known for being determined and skilled students, as well as kind and caring kids!
WHAT DOES IT COST TO GIVE MY CHILD A CATHOLIC SCHOOL EDUCATION?
St. Louise Parish School’s tuition is the most affordable of all the Catholic schools on the greater Eastside (the schools in Bellevue, Kirkland, Issaquah, Sammamish, and Mercer Island). Our tuition is based on the number of children in a family enrolled at St. Louise and the family’s parishioner status. A reduced “contributing parishioner” tuition rate is available for registered, and stewardship-contributing parishioners from St. Louise Parish or any of these Catholic parishes on the Eastside: Mary Queen of Peace Parish, Sammamish; Holy Innocents Parish, Duvall; Teresa Parish, Woodinville; St. Jude Parish, Redmond; St. Anthony Mission, Carnation. Please note that the standards to be considered a “contributing parishioner” are established by each parish’s administration. Tuition is typically paid on a monthly basis for 12 months - from the first payment at official admission acceptance, continuing from August through June. View Tuition Rates
WHAT IS THE SCHOOL’S HISTORY?
St. Louise is a grade pre-K through 8, co-ed, Roman Catholic school which was opened in 1961 by the Sisters of St. Joseph. We continue more than half-a-century later with a committed lay staff who carry on the Catholic school traditions of providing a values-based education with high academic standards taught in lovingly-disciplined classrooms. We are known for having strongly supportive parent volunteers and a well-rounded curriculum that is infused with Christian values.
CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT THE FACULTY, ADMINISTRATION, AND STAFF?
The St. Louise teaching faculty is comprised of 27 teachers, including specialists in math, art, music, technology education, physical education, library, Spanish, and student-support. The staff also includes seven instructional assistants, three before-and-after-school care supervisors, a technology support specialist, a school nurse, and various administrative support staff. Mike Fuerte, who was once a student himself at St. Louise, is our current principal.