Dave Kasievich announces the dedication of Audrey's House. Seated third and fourth from left are St. James School co-founders the Rev. Sean Mullen and Dr. Audrey Evans.
Welcome to Audrey’s House!
From the beginning, the Community House has been a vital part of our school's history. It was one of the first meeting places for the founders of St. James School, housed some of our first teachers, and currently serves as living and working space for teachers and staff, including our Servant Year members. 

In June, we dedicated the Community House to St. James co-founder Dr. Audrey Evans and renamed it “Audrey's House.” Like the newly-named house, Dr. Evans has always been a vital part of the school. To many of us, she is the “Heart of St. James!”
Servant Year members unveil a photo tribute to Dr. Evans that will be displayed inside Audrey's House.
Before co-founding St. James School with Father Mullen in 2011, Dr. Evans was the first Chief of Oncology for The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). During her time at CHOP, many referred to her as the "Mother of Neuroblastoma" due to the research and progress she made in understanding and fighting this type of cancer. Ultimately, she reduced neuroblastoma's mortality rate by 50% and increased the survival rate to more than 85%.

Known for her great love of children and commitment to serving them, Dr. Evans in 1974 founded the first Ronald McDonald House in Philadelphia as a home away from home for young patients and their families.
John and Nydira are among the St. James alumni starting college this fall.
College-Bound Graduates Share Words of Wisdom
Let’s celebrate the St. James Class of 2017! In our third class of graduates, nine students are pursuing a career or post-secondary education; one is on an alternative path with YouthBuild and plans to attend trade school for HVAC.

We asked a few college-bound graduates to reflect on their four years in high school and share some words of wisdom.

What is one thing you learned at St. James that you will take with you
to college?
John: Always keep good relationships and make a great first impression with people because you never know who you are talking to.
Nydira: I learned not to be afraid to try new things.

What is one piece of advice you would give to current St. James students? 
John: C’s are just as bad as failing… lock in and get A’s and B’s.
Nydira: The DUE date is not the DO date.

What is something you worked hard for that paid off this year?
John: I worked my tail off in basketball and got a scholarship for it.
Nydira: Allowing help from others when needed.
Teddy gives 6th grader Charley a temperature check.
A Word with… Teddy Yun!
Edward (Teddy) Yun has joined the St. James School team as our Front Desk Representative and Administrative Assistant. Since starting in early May, he has been the face of the school to arriving students, parents, volunteers and visitors. He also helps ensure day-to-day operations run smoothly. 

What attracted you to St. James School?
The children and the staff! The culture of St. James School goes down to the roots of the community.

Did you know much about St. James School before accepting this position?
Yes! I volunteered at The Welcome Table’s Thanksgiving turkey distribution. I was really impressed by the kindness of both the people who helped give out the food and the people who came to pick up the turkeys and groceries. I also could not get over the two cars full of pies! 

What is your educational and professional background?
I am a graduate of Penn State with a degree in criminal justice. I am originally from Allentown, PA. Before joining St. James School, I was a team leader and operations manager at Moderna, Inc. 

What are your responsibilities at St. James School?
My day begins with greeting every student who arrives on campus, promptly screening them for COVID-19, then providing them with a clean mask for the day. I also screen volunteers and visitors as soon as they arrive. During the day, I handle supply orders, deliver the mail and manage incoming deliveries, and maintain organizational documents and spreadsheets. If teachers need assistance of any kind, such as monitoring students while teachers rotate to other classrooms, I’m there to assist. I also escort students from their classrooms when they need to see Nurse Ayton. I must walk three to four miles a day around campus!

What do you like to do in your free time?
I love to dance. I was a competitive ballroom dancer for many years. 

What has impressed you most in your first months here?
I have been amazed by how resilient St. James students are. A child may come into school suffering from a serious issue but by the end of the day, that child is smiling and cheerful. To a lot of people, school is just school, but to our students, it is their world.
 
You may know about our goal to build deeper roots in the Allegheny West community, which involves serving St. James families as well as all of our neighbors around Clearfield Street. St. James School created The Welcome Table to promote an active community of neighbors sharing what they have and receiving what they need. This summer, with your help, two critical programs are continuing: food sharing and home repairs.

Food Sharing: Food is among the most fundamental needs we humans have. One-third of families in North Philadelphia do not know where their next meal is coming from.
Home Repairs: Home is a shelter and the place from which we engage the world. The Welcome Table partners with families to provide everything from basic infrastructure needs to improvements that make family life easier and more enjoyable.

Help us reach our $30,000 goal by supporting one of these critical needs:

NorthBay is BACK!
Students take many field trips during their time at St. James, but if you ask students about their favorite place to visit, there is always a clear front-runner—NorthBay Adventure Center in North East, MD! This immersive summer experience is full of exciting activities: kayaking, swimming, zip lining, team building, hands-on environmental education in the Chesapeake Bay, and more. This annual trip had to be cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19, but this summer, NorthBay is back!
At the end of July, the rising 6th, 7th, and 8th grade classes, along with our recent Class of 2021 graduates, will excitedly pile onto St. James buses to visit NorthBay for two consecutive, jam-packed day trips. Luckily, the camp is only a 90-minute drive from campus. Stay tuned for photos and highlights from our 2021 trip, and in the meantime, enjoy a few of our favorite memories from previous trips. 
Congratulations, Class of 2021!
Graduation was a small affair this year, but we have plenty of photos and videos that reflect the excitement at the ceremony! We enjoyed musical performances, student and alumni speeches, and heartwarming tributes from teachers and staff. Photographer Ron Nichols captured many beautiful moments from graduation. View his gallery. We also live streamed the event on our Facebook page. View the recording.

We are so proud of our resilient 8th grade class for making it to the finish line and for selecting excellent high schools to attend next year. This summer, these rising 9th graders will be taking skills classes through our Graduate Support program and will be getting ready to go to NorthBay as a final send-off from St. James!
Raheem (left) congratulates Adonnis (right)
on receiving his St. James diploma and backpack.
St. James School is a faith-based Philadelphia middle school in the Episcopal tradition, committed to educating students from an under-resourced neighborhood within a nurturing environment. The school is a community that provides a challenging academic program and encourages the development of the moral, spiritual, intellectual, physical and creative gifts in its students.
St. James School | 215-226-1276 | www.StJamesPhila.org