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New Catholic school opens; two others embrace changes
By Ambria Hammel, ahammel@catholicsun.org
August 21, 2008
The first day of school can be a little intimidating, even for the seasoned student. Adapting to new schedules, teachers and classmates takes time.
Nearly 200 students at three Montessori-based Catholic schools in the Diocese of Phoenix faced even bigger changes this year.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Academy in Queen Creek opened its doors for the first time this month.
Meanwhile, St. Anne’s Little Flower Montessori School in Gilbert, which once welcomed students through sixth grade, now focuses exclusively on early childhood education.
Like St. Anne’s, St. Joseph’s Catholic Montessori School in Cottonwood still follows the Montessori model of teaching, but only for its 3-to-5-year-olds. First- through seventh-graders now use diocesan curriculum and learn through a more traditional method.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Academy
As Queen Creek has grown, a strong Catholic identity has bloomed right along with it.
In just under two years, Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission transformed itself into a parish and, as of last week, one that supports a school. Our Lady of Guadalupe Academy opened Aug. 11.
It’s set up according to the Montessori model and features an atrium where students take a hands-on approach to learning about their faith. Each classroom is also hands-on with designated learning centers for blocks, dramatic play, reading, writing and math.
“It’s going to make a big impact,” said Legionary of Christ Father Michael Shannon, pastor, of the school. “I think it’s an answer to the prayers of all the people in the parish.”
He noted that a parishioner without school-aged children handed him a check for the academy last weekend.
Fr. Shannon started the project upon his arrival in the Valley two years to the day of the academy’s opening.
When the project got too big for him late last year, Fr. Shannon hired Andy Romley, the academy’s director, to take over. He called her a blessing for the parish because of her attitude and vision.
“This is the best place to be if you’re a little person,” said Romley, who has been in education more than 35 years. “There’s such a tremendous need in this part of the Valley for Catholic education.”
Many families agreed. Fifty-one young learners ages 3 through 6 are enrolled.
St. Anne Little Flower Montessori
When St. Anne’s Little Flower Montessori School opened 10 years ago, kindergarteners were its eldest students. Shortly after that, it began adding one grade per year. It stopped with sixth grade in 2005 when the school ran out of space.
Gradually, parents wanting to ease the transition to middle school began transferring their students to other campuses before sixth grade.
At the same time, Dee Tamminen, the school’s director, grew frustrated that she couldn’t apply for accreditation without offering the upper grades. That, in turn, prevented her from applying for several grants that would benefit the students.
“Through much discernment, we came to a difficult decision: do what the school does best and use its resources to expand its early childhood program,” Tamminen said.
This year, St. Anne’s eldest students are again kindergarteners. Classes resumed Aug. 6 with 87 students as young as 2, with room for more.
Melissa Cardine said her upbeat attitude about meeting new friends helped her son stay positive on the first day.
He said, “I think I’m going to like it here, Mom” upon their arrival. The only tears were hers — seeing her first child off to school.
St. Joseph Catholic Montessori
This 2-year-old school serving three parish communities still welcomes students in preschool through seventh grade, but not everyone learns by the same teaching method.
Administrators saw a need to ease the transition to a regular school, so they now have first- through seventh-graders learning according to the traditional method.
Greg Kirkham, the school’s new director, used his expertise to help St. Joseph make the transition. Kirkham spent 30 years in public education and six at a Montessori preschool. He worked with staff for weeks to add necessary curriculum that also challenges the students individually.
The school bought self-paced software for reading and math. Parent volunteers upgraded the school’s wiring this summer so it could be installed.
“There’s just been a passion here” to keep the school growing, Kirkham said.
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