SLEs

Mission

St. Alphonsus Parish School is dedicated to the formation of the whole child through academic excellence in a welcoming, faith-filled community based on Catholic traditions and values.

Family participation is essential to our educational endeavor. Parents are the primary educators of their children, and St. Alphonsus is privileged to accompany families in growing together in knowledge, love of God, and service to others. We welcome families of all backgrounds to experience the joy of Catholic education.

Vision

We aspire to teach as Jesus taught, encouraging each student to reach their God-given potential as grace-filled servant leaders.

Schoolwide Learning Expectations

The Schoolwide Learning Expectations (SLEs) are skills and qualities a student of St. Alphonsus will possess when he or she graduates. Teachers incorporate these SLEs into their lesson plans, instilling in their students what it means to be a St. Alphonsus Parish School graduate.

An active faith-filled person
  1. prays formally and spontaneously.
  2. exhibits basic knowledge of the Catholic Church teachings.
  3. participates reverently in the sacramental life of the Church.
  4. contributes time, talent, and treasure to the community through Christian service.
A lifelong learner
  1. demonstrates critical and analytical skills.
  2. demonstrates creative problem-solving skills.
  3. meets or exceeds grade level expectations in all disciplines.
  4. creates and evaluates standards for himself/herself in all disciplines.
A person of integrity
  1. demonstrates accountability for personal behavior.
  2. acts honestly and fairly.
  3. chooses to behave in a right and just manner.
A respectful person
  1.  treats people of all cultures and faith traditions with dignity and kindness.
  2. practices stewardship of all of God’s creation.
  3. practices conflict resolution through active listening, clear communication and empathy.

History

For over 100 years, St. Alphonsus has served as an academic and spiritual hub for Ballard-area families seeking an excellent Catholic education. Founded in 1907, the school served primary and high-school age children as Holy Angels Academy under the leadership of the Edmond Dominican Sisters. The academy was both a boarding and a day school, situated where St. Alphonsus Church now stands prominently over the 15th Avenue Northwest corridor. The Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT) order provided two decades of religious education and missionary work at the school and parish until 2022. More than 280 St. Alphonsus and Holy Angels graduates have entered the religious life.

Bishop Edward J. O’Dea dedicated the stately brick building of St. Alphonsus School on February 11, 1923.