St. Anselm School
Enthusiasm, school spirit, a wholesome attitude towards learning and high standards are evident as one walks the halls and is greeted and welcomed by the students and teachers of St. Anselm School.
“We endeavor to ensure that our students reach an awareness of self, developing the pride, discipline and confidence needed to be purposeful learners and good citizens, proudly reflec ting their Catholic tradition,” says Principal Teresa M. Lopes.
Having celebr ated the 105th anniversary of its opening in Sept. 2013, St. Anselm School provides its students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade with a quality, faith-based, Catholic education in a beautifully renovated, clean and safe building befit ting those children of God who live in the South Bronx.
Located on Tinton Ave., St. Anselm School ha s faithfully ser ved it s South Bronx community since it was founded in 19 0 8 . The physic al capacit y of the four-s tor y building a nd ba semen t is generous, providing for 23 classrooms, a full auditorium with a stage, a school gymnasium, librar y, a bright cheer ful cafeteria, administrative offices and an enclosed outdoor padded playground.
St. Anselm School of fers classroom instruction to 360 students enrolled in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. St. Anselm School incorporates several enrichment programs to complement a rigorous academic curriculum. These include art, music, technology integration and physic al educ ation, a s well as af ter-school activities in band, ar t, choir, guitar, theater, basketball, science and math.
The school is staffed by 16 dedicated lay teachers and 14 staff members under the leadership of Ms. Lopes, who has been principal since 1998, and Father Antonio Palacios, O.A.R., pa stor since 2004.
“Dedication, hard work and a spirit of teamwork is what makes our school successful. We believe in our Catholic school mission, and are proud of our tradition and our legacy,” says Principal Lopes.
With the implementation of the Common Core Learning St andards, new rigorous learning demands are being placed on all. This educational initiative continues to be part of an upward trend that is constantly monitored and is being embraced as a collaborative effort by students, teachers, administrators and parents striving to meet higher standards. After graduation, St. Anselm students have entered Catholic and public high schools with a solid foundation in all academic areas. High schools report many St. Anselm graduates attain honor status.
“Our families make a great i nvestment and sacrifice in choosing to send their children to St . Anselm School,” says Principal Lopes. “Today’s families realize that their hope for the f uture lies in the benefits of a value-centered education. The availability of scholarships has enabled many of our parents to choose a Catholic education here. In return, they are assured that their children will be well cared for and given the tools of a qualit y, faith-ba sed education, critical not only in the contex t of their current circumstance but towards securing their children’s success in the future.”
St. Anselm School maintains one of the lowest tuitions in the archdiocese, providing an affordable, quality Catholic education to all students. More than one-third of the student population receives scholarships, and all capital improvement s and renovations have been made possible through a network of support: monies raised from foundations, grants, benefactors and alumni who believe in the school’s mission. Education Through Music (ETM), The Creative Classrooms Visual Arts Program and Kids In The Game P.E., are a few of the enrichment programs made possible through the generosity of donors.
“We believe a school must likewise make similar investments in its programs and it s physical plant, demonstrating our commitment to our current student body, to ensure the safety and well-being of our student s and to attract new students. Just this year, with the opening of a state-funded Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program, we enrolled 72 four year olds in our school community,” Principal Lopes says.
In closing, Ms. Lopes says, “Concurrent with the Common Core Learning St a nda rds , school developmen t a nd fundraising ef for t s are the necessar y challenges of everyday planning. However, today’s challenges are tomorrow’s successes.”
Those who would like to learn more and join this network of support can visit our website at www.stanselmbx.org.
And so, the tradition of academic excellence and the spirit of a faith community lives on in a traditional, parish-based Catholic school.