Facts
St. Louise offers a rigorous academic education integrated by Gospel values for students in grades Pre-K through 8. Begun in 1961 by the Sisters of St. Joseph, St. Louise is now one of 72 schools in the Catholic Archdiocese of Western Washington which stretches from the Canadian to Oregon border. We draw students from the greater Eastside communities of Bellevue, Issaquah, Sammamish, Redmond, Woodinville, Renton, Newcastle, Seattle, Kirkland, Carnation, Fall City, and North Bend.
St. Louise Parish School is state-certified and accredited by the Western Catholic Educational Association. The collective efforts of our outstanding staff provide a foundation for students to achieve excellence, assume responsibility, and develop traditional Catholic values and sound moral judgment.
Our maximum class size is 26 students in grades kindergarten through eight, but most classes average 16 students each - with two homerooms for each PK-8 grade level. Our overall student-teacher ratio throughout the school is an outstanding 12:1, and that does not include the instructional assistants, who are assigned to the primary grade levels to support the teachers. We have about 330 students in a given year, with the approximate breakdown being:
- 90-95% Catholic
- 20-30% Asian
- 15-20% Hispanic
- 100% of our 8th graders graduate
When it comes to our 8th graders, most of our graduates are accepted to the highly selective Catholic high schools in the area, such as Eastside Catholic, Seattle Preparatory, Forest Ridge, Holy Names, O'Dea, Blanchet and Kennedy. Many also join the Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate programs at local public high schools.
Our modern facilities feature a fully equipped Science Lab, Art Room, and Computer Lab, as well as technology in each classroom including interactive flat panel displays. Our middle school students take a Spanish-language class, and most grade levels have classes in art, music, p.e., library, and technology-education during the school day. Extra-curricular programs that are available before and/or after school include band, robotics, coding, debate, mock trial, speech, drama, choir, chess, art, math, Spanish-language, and science/STEM.
- Uniforms are mandatory, with the "McDonald plaid" being our renowned, classic design for girls' skirts.
- Our principal, Mike Fuerte, along with many other faculty and staff members, are alumni and/or parents of alumni.
- St. Louise Parish's pastor, Father Gary Zender, is a strong supporter of our parish school, evidenced in part by being a recipient of "The Archbishop Alex J. Brunett Award" by the Seattle Archdiocesan School Board, in recognition of his distinguished service to and advocate for Catholic education.
- Twice a month, all-school Masses are celebrated with significant student participation.
- There are over a dozen community service/charity projects supported by our students, as we promote the importance of actively participating in the service for which God calls us.
- Sports are available, with many weekend games against other schools' teams in the CYO Sports League taking place in our impressive gymnasium.
Sports available for both boys and girls include cross country, volleyball, soccer, basketball, and track & field.
