In the Diocese of Phoenix, Catholic schools are a place where students encounter Christ while being challenged academically, receiving human formation and experiencing the support of a faith-filled community.

At St. Matthews Catholic School in Phoenix — one of the oldest schools in the diocese and the only one with an English and Spanish bilingual and biliterate curriculum — this is taking place through a diverse community of students and families, integrated faith life and supportive wraparound services.

Founded in 1943 by the Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Matthew was formed to serve the Irish immigrant population, particularly the families brought to the area for railroad and manufacturing work in downtown Phoenix at the time.

Today, the school continues to serve predominantly immigrant families.

“We’re really a bicultural school,” said Fr. Kevin Grimditch, pastor of St. Matthew Catholic Church. “[St. Matthew] draws our students into our American and Catholic life and makes this beautiful fusion between the two.”

‘The only school in Arizona with this program’

St. Matthew’s curriculum is a dual literacy program through a partnership with Boston College, and since 2008, it has been the only school in Arizona that provides students with instruction in both languages through this program.

“We like to say being bilingual is a superpower because it just allows [our students] to communicate more broadly with more people,” said Fr. Grimditch. “And we hope, of course, to bring the light of Christ to more and more people and reach more and more hearts.”

But the multicultural spirit of the St. Matthew community goes far beyond the classroom.

“We have cultivated a multicultural aesthetic that we want to create and embolden on our campus,” said Jennifer Ellerbee, principal at St. Matthew Catholic School. “Specifically, we have a mural of St. Matthew [and] our Stations of the Cross … which blend the Catholic faith and the Hispanic culture.”

Integrated faith and wraparound services

In addition to fostering a unique school culture through language and design, St. Matthew also integrates faith and community into every part of the school day.

“The way Catholic schools have the unique ability to build community is so precious, and it’s so important,” continued Fr. Grimditch. “Especially as our cultures change and the world becomes more digital and just constantly, rapidly changing. [It’s important] that you have a community that can support and love each other.”

On the topic of faith, the principal and pastor said it is folded into every class of the curriculum.

“[Our students] talk about faith in science class along with the topic of creation. They talk about it with behavior, how we treat one another or how we talk to our peers and how we talk to adults with respect,” said Ellerbee. “We take those Catholic values and we integrate them fully within the instructional day.”

In addition to formation in the classroom, St. Matthew also tends to additional needs of students and their families, providing wraparound services through partners such as Phoenix Children’s Hospital and Catholic Charities.

“Phoenix Children’s Hospital [provides] a doctor bus so our students can be seen for basic medical care,” said Ellerbee. “Most recently, we’ve really shifted a lot into making sure a food pantry is full and prepared and trying to meet some of the food insecurity issues that these families are facing.”

The school also provides a mental health resource.

“We’re [also] partnering with Catholic Charities right now. We’re doing a mental health counseling pilot program with them to get services for our students because mental health is a very big concern,” she added.

These services, in addition to a strong community and a depth of education, point to the heart and the mission of the school.

“We’re here to educate children,” said Fr. Grimditch, “to make them part of the future, the leadership that the Church will see as it comes around.”

To learn more about St. Matthew Catholic School, visit stmatthewaz.org/school

The St. Matthew community is looking to reconnect with its alumni. If you are a former student or St. Matthew family, you are invited to reach out to Coordinator of Development Alison Wilkie at [email protected].

To listen to the full interview with Pastor Fr. Kevin Grimditch and Principal Jennifer Ellerbee, click here (interview begins at 13:30).