Our Approach

Classrooms at all grade levels are infused with dynamic science, technology, engineering, art and math instruction. Students develop experiments around real-world problems, use 3-D printers, work on individual iPads, and learn abstract math concepts through multisensory activities. Music and art units also reinforce the science and and math principles being explored in core subject areas. 

Research from the field of emotion science finds that children who understand and manage their feelings make more responsible decisions, have stronger relationships, and perform better in school. To help our students progress in their social emotional development, we utilize the following curriculum at St. Paul's:

Sunshine Circles -  Sunshine Circles are adult-directed, structured play therapy-based groups that incorporates playful, cooperative, and nurturing activities that enhance the emotional well-being of children. Early Learner through 2nd Grade classrooms participate in Sunshine Circles.

Second Step - Pre-Kindergarten - 4th Grade students complete Second Step exercises to learn how to achieve goals, overcome obstacles, and form meaningful relationships. These skills are essential for academic achievement, workforce readiness, digital well-being, and conflict management.

Conscious Discipline - All early childhood teachers at St. Paul's complete Conscious Discipline professional development and training. Conscious Discipline provides an array of behavior management strategies and classroom structures that teachers can use to turn everyday situations into learning opportunities.

RULER from the the Yale Center of Emotional Intelligence - RULER is an evidence-based approach to social and emotional learning (SEL) developed at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. RULER supports entire school communities in:

• Understanding the value of emotions
• Building the skills of emotional intelligence
• Creating and maintaining positive school climates

RULER signage is posted throughout St. Paul's, and school counselors use RULER practices to help students manage big feelings and resolve conflicts with peers.

The Social Institute - St. Paul's middle school students complete activities and lessons provided by The Social Institute that are designed to create future-ready students who navigate social media and technology in positive, high-character ways.

St. Paul's teachers use Project Based Learning which encourages students to gain knowledge and skills by investigating and responding to an authentic, engaging, and complex question or challenge. Students are presented with a problem, and individually or in small groups, they will explore possible solutions. Students develop strategies, present ideas to their peers, and pick their favorites at the end of the lesson or unit. 

Click here to learn more about Project Based Learning from the Buck Institute.

We value community, and we actively care for others. Starting in the toddler classrooms, our students learn the importance of service in our community.

Our Kindergarten through fifth grade classes partner by grade level with a local nonprofit organization. Through our Buddy Program, Early Childhood classes join their buddy grades for service projects at these partner organizations.  Our students learn about the mission and goals of their partners and actively engage with the organizations throughout the year. Our middle school students volunteer with the Kansas City Community Kitchen and complete ten hours of community service a year with a non-profit organization of their choice.

As part of our mission, we also partner with our sister school in Ravine A'lanse, Haiti and provide food and support to the St. Paul's Community Food Bank.

Click here to learn more about the school's impact in our community. 

Have you ever been to a rain forest? Met the key figures of the American Revolution? Bartered on the Oregon Trail? We bring our curriculum to life through thematic units that allow our students to imaginatively engage with core content. 

Every year our 3rd graders create a living rain forest in their commons - complete with animals! 2nd graders design a robot museum, 7th grade students transform into a living wax museum, pre-kindergarteners take their parents on a tour of the solar system, and much more. As part of our mission, we strive to develop confident and eager learners. These interactive experiences bring the content to life and help our students develop communication and public speaking skills.

We have three staff counselors for our students and faculty, including an ECC counselor, a 1st - 4th grade counselor, and a 5th - 8th grade counselor. These staff members provide private counseling, lead social emotional learning activities in classrooms, and organize age-appropriate presentations for students covering important mental health topics. Annual middle school presentations cover topics like responsible social media use, depression/anxiety, HIV/AIDS awareness, sexual education, and sexual abuse. Parents are always notified in advance of these presentations and are given the option to opt-out.

We also have a team of Learning Specialists (K-2nd Grade Reading Specialist, 1st - 4th Grade Learning Specialist, and 5th - 8th Grade Learning Specialist) who work closely with teachers and parents to ensure students’ learning needs are met. The Learning Specialists help students in one-on-one and in small group sessions while providing in class support as needed. The Learning Specialists also help identify signs of learning differences and aid in intervention while providing recommendations for outside testing and additional resources.

We also work closely with The Children's SPOT for routine speech and occupational therapy screenings in Pre-K through 5th grade. The Children's SPOT team provides on-site therapy for many St. Paul's students and occasionally makes referrals for therapy outside the school day.

St. Paul's fully underwrites more than 35 cultural arts programs every year, including trips to see the KC Ballet, attending symphony concerts, participating in theater workshops, visiting the Nelson-Atkins museum and much more. These programs are designed to enhance the classroom curriculum and introduce students to arts programming across our city.