The Catholic Diocese of Wichita believes a Catholic education is the best gift a parent can give a child. For that reason, our Catholic Diocese of Wichita does not charge tuition to Catholic families who are active stewards in their parish. St. James Catholic School is a mission of the whole parish, and it is only through Stewardship of all the parishioners that we are able to continue giving this incredible opportunity to everyone, and to maintain a standard of excellence. Non-Catholic students are also welcomed at St. James though there is a tuition of $3,000 per year. Contact the school office for questions about fees.
St. James Catholic School is a part of the Catholic School system in the Diocese of Wichita and is accredited though the Kansas State Department of Education.
St. James offers one class per grade level in Preschool through Eighth grade. Class sizes vary with the average being 10 students per class. Teachers are able to differentiate lessons to accommodate or challenge students in the classroom with these idyllic small class sizes. For the 2024-2025 school year, only grades Preschool through 5th Grade will be offered.
Kindgergarten through Fifth Grade students recieve instruction in Reading, Writing, Handwriting (inlcuding cursive), Grammar, Spelling, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Religion from their classroom teachers. Specials classes (Music, Band, Library, PE, Art, and Technology) are offered through our partnership with Augusta Public Schools. They are provided throughout the week in our building.
Middle School (6th-8th grade) students switch between two classrooms throughout the day. They receive instruction in the same subjects as the elementary students. Additionally, they have exploratory sessions on life skills, careers, and foreign language.
St. James requires that all students enrolled in grades K-8 wear uniforms.
The uniform for girls: plaid jumpers or navy pants with light blue or grey polo shirts.
The uniform for boys: navy pants with plaid, light blue, or grey polo shirts.
The uniform for Middle School girls: plaid skirts with light blue Oxford shirts.
The uniform for Middle School boys: khaki pants with light blue Oxford shirts.
Classroom teachers are able to differentiate instruction to support or challenge students due to our small class sizes. A paraprofessional and reading interventionist are also availalble for classroom support. Students on IEPs receive Special Education services though Augusta Public Schools (USD 402). Generally, students go to the public school across the street for short periods to receive those services during the day.
Each student will attend Holy Mass three times a week.
Students have Religion class every day in addition to Mass, which is offered three times a week. Eucharistic Adoration and Confession are offered monthly for students. Grade bands take turns saying the White Heart Rosary each month. Other activities such as Stations of the Cross, rosaries, or feast day celebrations are offered throughout the year.
Bus students are provided transportation by the public school system. Other children may be dropped off starting at 7:30 a.m. We have a fantastic after school program called “Guardian Angels” provided for parents who need extra time to pick up their children after school. The program is provided until 5:30 p.m. with minimal charge. Students are engaged in activities and have a designated homework time.
Students in 3rd grade-8th grade have their own tablets. We have at least three computers in each classroom and a computer lab with 26 computers in it. Our computers are all networked and they all have access to the Internet. We do have a filter on our Internet called Alegro Surf Filtering System to help us guard against our students getting on sites that are not appropriate. We have a part-time computer teacher that meets with each class every week.