| Philosophy | Profile | Accreditation | Alumni |
Commuity is
at
the heart of Christian education, not simply as a concept to be taught,
but as a reality to be lived.
Through education men and women must be moved to build community in all areas of life; they can do this if they learn the meaning of community by experiencing it. Formed by this experience, they are better able to build community in their families, their places of work, their neighborhoods, their world.
This
statement
taken from the Bishops' Pastoral Message on Education, "To Teach as
Jesus
Did", is a fitting declaration of the underlying principles of
education
held at Our Lady Star of the Sea Regional School.
The faculty
recognizes the three-fold purpose of Christian Education: to foster the
integration of religion with the rest of learning and living; to teach
students to face the challenges of life with a Christian attitude; to
promote
Christian service to others. Hence, our ultimate goal, our
greatest
responsibility, is to help each student develop his/her maximum
potential
through a Christian value-centered academic program.
Our Lady Star
of the Sea Regional School admits students of any race, color, national
and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and
activities
generally accorded or made available to all the students at the
school.
It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or
ethnic
origin in the administration of educational policies, admission
policies,
athletics or other school administered programs.
In 1873 the Bishop of the Camden Diocese established a Mission Church at Our Lady Star of the Sea. The Sisters of Mercy were asked to support the Church's efforts by educating the children. By 1908 Our Lady Star of the Sea had a school, and these dedicated daughters of Mother Catherine McAuley have staffed it ever since. They and the dedicated lay staff were responsible for making Our Lady Star of the Sea Regional School one of the first to receive accreditation from the Diocese.
The consistent offering of excellent educational, cultural and physical programs to its students has led to acceptance into the community of accredited elementary schools of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
Educational excellence is achieved through a core curriculum with the addition of auxiliary programs. Likewise, opportunities are offered for student participation in various contests and extra-curricular activities throughout the school year.
Perhaps the most obvious testimony to Catholic/Universal education is the school community itself. Our Lady Star of the Sea Regional School is home to Pre-K through Grade 8, Special Education, ESL and Title I classes made-up of students from a wide diversity of cultural backgrounds. Celebration of this uniqueness is a daily occurance in the spirit of helpfulness, courtesy and support, evident among students and faculty.
In April 2006 Our Lady Star of the Sea Regional School received accreditation from the
Commission on Elementary
Schools
- Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.