Angela Issacs (l) and Marianne Layne.

Angela Issacs was the guest speaker at the August 6 membership meeting.  Now in her ninth year at St. John’s Catholic School in Hot Springs, Angela is in her second year as principal.  She is the daughter of Knight Ron Boudreaux and the spouse of Knight Scott Issacs. 

After thanking the Knights for their on-going support, she mentioned that she feels strongly about the benefits of a Catholic education, and that it is hard to duplicate at home what children can get at a Catholic school.  Her two daughters attend Catholic schools through 12 grades.  

She emphasized the importance of being able to talk about Jesus throughout the day, and to tie religion into the courses as appropriate.   She proudly stated, “We blend classic educational methods, Catholic faith formation, and technology to provide the best education.”  Religion classes are part of the curriculum, starting in the 2-1/2 year-old class.

There are three Sisters of Mercy nuns on staff, with one being the assistant principal.

A meta-analysis of 90 studies on the effects of schools found that compared to traditional public and charter schools, faith-based schools have a significant academic advantage, narrower achievement gaps by race and income, and better student behavioral outcomes.  St. John’s sets high academic expectations for all grade levels.  Art, music, physical education, Spanish, Latin, library studies, and technology are included in the PreK3-8 curriculum.  One Sister teaches fly-tying to the middle school students.
The following message greets visitors to St John’s:
      Be it known to all who enter here that CHRIST is the Reason for this school.
      He is the unseen but ever present Teacher in its classes.
      He is the Model of its faculty and the Inspiration of its students.

The motto is “Non pro schola sed pro vita.  Not for school, but for life.”

Students participate in Mass twice a week.  On First Friday, they gather for benediction and adoration after an all-school Mass.  Students begin altar server ministry after their First Communion and begin lector ministry in 1st grade.  Middle school students lead an all-school rosary once a month.  The students, faculty, staff, and families participate in service projects during Advent and Lent.

Enrollment is increasing.  St John’s began last year at 100 students, ended at 106, and started at 119 this fall, a 20% increase.  There are 85 students in grades 1-8.   About 40% of the enrollment is not Catholic.  While the average expenditure per student in Arkansas is $9,315, the average St. John’s is $9,000 which includes capital improvements and major maintenance projects.  The actual tuition charge per student is $4000 with the remainder of the cost to educate the children comes from fundraising efforts.   Approximately 35% of the students are awarded financial aid.  Some of the students need help buying uniforms, and some families cannot afford the gas to transport their children to and from school.

The average teacher salary in Arkansas is $46,663, but it is $30,000 for the dedicated staff at St. John’s.

The academic quality of the education students receive at St John’s is substantiated by the following:
            In the last several years, 5 recipients of the prestigious Bodenhamer Fellowship at the University of Arkansas - Fayetteville have been St. John’s graduates.
            In the 2013 high school graduating classes in Hot Springs, the valedictorian from Hot Springs High and the one from Lake Hamilton were both graduates of St. John's.
           The national standardized test scores at St. John’s average 10-15 points higher than the
highest scores in tests at the local school districts.

After once again thanking the Knights for their support in money and prayers, Angela concluded her presentation by introducing Marianne Layne who is involved with fundraising at the school.   This year’s School Bazaar is scheduled for Friday, October 25.  Last year it raised $90,000.   The Kroger Card generated $3,000 last year as well.