Knowledge, Love, and Service

The community of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School embodies the three pillars of Knowledge, Love, and Service. This is reinforced daily in the reciting of the Mission Statement together as a school community during morning prayer announcements. The school crest is a visual expression of this spirit and tradition.  In both word and action, the school sends a clear message that it is first and foremost a Catholic school that embraces community, engages in service, and is grounded in worship.

Prayer

The administration, faculty, and staff bring the Good News of Jesus into the school through their commitment to developing knowledge of the Catholic faith, love in word and action, and service to the local and global community. None of this can be accomplished without prayer, which plays a vital role in the school community’s faith development. Prayer is infused throughout the school day reminding all that Christ is the center of our lives. Students at all grade levels lead prayer, reflecting the value placed on the active participation of all members in the prayer life of the community. Teachers and staff gather each morning to pray together for the needs of the community.

Regular opportunities are provided for the school community to experience and participate in prayer and the Sacraments. Children attend Mass with the parish community weekly. Prayer services are held at various times throughout the year, such as September 11th Remembrance, the lighting of the Advent wreath, Living Rosary, Stations of the Cross, and May Crowning. Families are encouraged to attend weekly school Mass, as well as Mass on the weekend, and students regularly serve as hospitality ministers, lectors, gift bearers, and altar servers during school Masses.

Education

We recognize parents as the primary educators of their children and partner with them in providing a Catholic education to their children. Faith formation opportunities are provided to the parents through parish sponsored bible studies, Advent missions, Lent missions, and sacrament retreats.

The pastor and principal, as the spiritual leaders of the parish and school, are both a visible presence on campus modeling faith and Catholic values, greeting children and parents, and leading prayer at the start and end of day. Teachers are certified catechists and participate in an annual retreat as well as diocesan and school in-service days devoted to religious and academic enrichment. The school faculty is intentional about the expression of Catholic values and the impact that these values have on everything concerning the school

The curriculum at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School follows the curriculum standards set forth by the Diocese of Phoenix. Preschool through third grade attend weekly Catechesis of the Good Shepherd classes, provided by parish catechists, in preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation, and First Eucharist.

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Service

Service flows out of the strong sense of faith and community that is present  at our school.  Celtics in Mission is a multi-faceted approach to Christian service at OLPH.  Through this program, students are guided to make connections between the outreach service projects that they are doing and the teachings of the Catholic Church as revealed in Scripture, Church documents, papal teachings, and saintly role models [Knowledge].  Students grow in their empathy for others and in having a heart for serving others [Love].  Additionally, they experience direct hands-on service to others as an integrated part of their lives [Service].Opportunities for service learning are incorporated into the curriculum at each grade level.

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