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Tiffany Drees, 7th and 8th grade ELA Teacher, working with a small group

At St. James School, learning happens beyond traditional school hours; students are in school from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm, and on Saturday mornings as well!

Our model includes an extended day, week and school year. This approach includes breakfast and recess before the school day begins, enrichments for two hours after classes end for the day, as well as varied summer camp experiences in July.

Bingo winner 4th grader Jayden!

Parents join in the games

The games-based activities are designed to be collaborative. From interactive math games to storytelling and writing challenges, students work with teachers, staff, volunteers, and even some parents and guardians.

"By inviting family members, we aim to have them feel confident working with their students at home. We have had a great turnout of parents coming and playing math and phonics games alongside their students, which they can then recreate at home for extra practice. This is a win-win for everyone!” says Steph. 

5th grader London says, “On Saturday mornings I feel excited and ready to come to school. My dad came with me a few times and that made me feel loved! We even played the games at home — he knows the bingo game and the spelling game! The teachers come in on a weekend too because they really care about us and want us to do better in our classes.” 

5th grader London with her dad working on reading skills

Expectations and motivation

You may remember Saturdays at St. James previously called Academic Clinics, so why the rebrand to Go for the Gold? First and foremost, we want Saturday support to feel less like fixing an academic deficit and more like becoming a stronger student. The name ties into being “in the gold” on quarterly Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) assessments, which means being at grade level.

When students walk in on Saturdays, projected on the board are the expectations for the day and a little motivation:



We are here because we want to help you reach the GOLD on your MAPs! We believe that YOU CAN DO IT! Try your best and HAVE FUN!

St. James School’s extended week embodies our commitment to every student’s success. We’re here to make a lasting impact, one meaningful interaction at a time.

To volunteer at Go for the Gold or learn more about it,

email Maggie Sanborn: msanborn@stjamesphila.org.

Volunteer Rick Assoian working on Sight Word Bingo with a small group

A signing ceremony makes the La Salle University partnership official

St. James Becomes First Middle School Partnership for La Salle University

St. James School is proud to announce a formal partnership with La Salle University, cemented by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two institutions. With this partnership, we’re establishing a framework for supporting St. James students as they navigate the path to higher education.

The partnership will focus on removing financial barriers, enabling St. James graduates admitted to La Salle to thrive academically, socially, and professionally.

Coordinated efforts between La Salle’s student success coaches and St. James’ Graduate Support team will ensure communication and continued mentorship, reinforcing a network of support that extends through college and into careers.

“There’s a lot of alignment,” noted St. James President & Head of School David Kasievich, a 2001 La Salle graduate. “There’s a lot that you probably experience here at La Salle that kind of reminds you of St. James.”

La Salle typically forms these partnerships with select high schools, but chose to partner with St. James School due to our ongoing deep relationships with graduates.

Graduate Support has formed several partnerships like this with regional universities, including Holy Family University and Harcum College. They help us deliver on our commitment to students and families by adding layers of resources, opportunities, and mentorship to support our students at different stages of their journey.

At its core, college partnerships are about ensuring that every student can thrive.

Thanksgiving Feast Brings Together Current and Former Staff, Students, and Families

Sisters Tori (5th grade) and Tayla (4th grade), with their two younger cousins

Cherrelle Charlton (Class of 2017) greeting Kevin Todd, Director of Operations, and Sarah Carroll, Assistant Principal

Megan Young, a beloved former staff member, hugging Principal Dave McDonough

Hugs and kisses for a matriarch of St. James, Jacqueline Peterson

Kyaire Peterson (Class of 2020) embracing his family

7th grader James leading poses in Yoga Enrichment

St. James Campus residents, along with their friends and families, greened the Church to herald in the Advent season

Basketball tryouts for this season’s Huskies team

The Welcome Table team had Santa’s Workshop ready for shopping by students and families

When our 4th grade teacher, Steph Padilla, needed her car fixed, she called up the best mechanic she knew, her old student, Tyjiere (Class of 2019)

Our 8th grade sermon series continues with our third student, Cruz, sharing wise words

Jaime posing by a statue in the Philadelphia Museum of Art's new special exhibition during her 4th grade field trip

Students lighting Advent candles during lunch

Over 300 bags of Thanksgiving food ready for distribution to families in the community

The knitting group at St. Peter’s in the Great Valley donated handmade hats and scarves to every new St. James student, including 4th grader Jasiah.

The Welcome Table Community Cookbook

Cover and Table of Contents of the spiral-bound cookbook

The latest food sharing community action from The Welcome Table team is a community cookbook. “From Market to Meal: Shared Stories and Recipes from Our Neighbors” will be available for sale in January. Proceeds help to support the work of The Welcome Table.

To reserve one or more copies of the community cookbook, click the button to send an email.

To Unlock $50,000 Donation Match,

We Need 500 Donors

Lori and Matt Espe have challenged the St. James community to make 500 year end gifts of any size.

Once we reach 500 gifts, the Espes will donate $50,000!

But there’s a catch! We need to reach that goal with donations made or postmarked by December 31st. That’s only 12 days away!

Already made your gift? Forward this email to a friend!

St. James School | 215-226-1276 | www.StJamesPhila.org