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

Conscious Discipline

RULER from the the Yale Center of Emotional Intelligence

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 two staff counselors for our students and faculty, including an ECC counselor and 1st - 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 3rd through 8th Grade Learning Specialist who works closely with teachers and parents to ensure students’ learning needs are met. The Learning Specialist helps students in one-on-one and in small group sessions while providing in class support as needed. The Learning Specialist also helps identify signs of learning differences and aids 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.