Queen of Apostles Catholic School is a community rooted in the cherished values of Faith, Excellence, and Joy. Within the school's small, internationally diverse community, its classrooms reflect the beauty of the Universal Church. Sustained by a strong partnership with their parish, they strive to nurture the whole child so that each student may discover God’s unique plan for their life while striving to become saints.

Last year, Porto Charities received an email from a mother with the following message: "I'm a parent looking for an inclusive placement in Catholic elementary schools. My son's private Christian school is closing, and a majority of the children with special needs are hoping to go to Queen of Apostles. It would be such a blessing to finally be able to send our son to a Catholic Elementary school after all these years!"

Queen of Apostles made a bold commitment by opening its doors and hearts to these families, despite limited resources. Over the past several months, their leadership and faculty have dedicated themselves to professional development, ensuring they can expertly meet the needs of students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The staff and students have embraced this mission with an inspiring enthusiasm, proving that a willing heart is the most powerful tool for creating inclusive schools.

"Parents are our valued partners, and together we work collaboratively to guide each child toward reaching their fullest God-given potential. Through prayer, service, and daily encounters with faith in action, students are formed as compassionate leaders, thoughtful scholars, and joyful disciples, prepared to serve others and live lives of integrity, purpose, and hope." - Dr. Kristie Meyers, Principal, Queen of Apostles.

Raised in a faith-filled home in Canada, Wanda Anderson moved to Washington, D.C. after graduating with a BA in Elementary Education.

Over the past four decades, her commitment to education has been tireless. She earned an M.Ed. from Loyola University in Maryland, became a certified reading specialist, and is a Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner. She co-founded Cornerstone Schools of Washington, D.C., and currently serves on the faculty of Moreland University’s Teacher Certification Program.

Mrs. Anderson started working at St. Thomas More Cathedral School as a Catapult Learning Title I teacher and later transitioned to the school's Resource team, and is now in her 23rd year at the school. Due to her expertise, she has trained dozens of teachers in the Diocese. As one of six children, she finds that collaboration comes naturally—a gift she has used to support hundreds of students from D.C. to Arlington. Her philosophy remains that every child is created in the image of God, and they deserve to truly belong in our schools.

Mrs. Anderson was instrumental in pioneering a Peer Mentor program at St. Thomas More, where 33 middle school students currently support eight learners with intellectual and academic needs. While these programs are staples in high schools, building this model in a K-8 setting is a true innovation. Mrs. Anderson has proved that younger students are fully capable of mentorship, and with the right leadership and a culture of Christian charity, successful inclusion is possible at every level. To her, the joy on the faces of these mentors and mentees reflects the true gift of a diverse student body.

"Meeting the needs of learners with intellectual and learning needs is not always easy, but it is always a blessing, and I'm so grateful for the gift of each of these students in our community. I'm humbled by this honor and grateful for the opportunity to continue working in the Diocese of Arlington alongside great faculty and families."