January '25 School Spotlight - St. Agnes School in St. Paul, MN

Saint Agnes School, located in the heart of St. Paul, has been a cornerstone of Catholic education for over 135 years. Founded in 1888, it is deeply rooted in a tradition of academic excellence and faith formation. Throughout its history, Saint Agnes has remained steadfast in its mission to form students in faith, reason, and virtue, guiding them to live lives of service to both God and neighbor. With a strong Liberal Arts curriculum, the school fosters a love of truth, beauty, and goodness, while grounding students in the Catholic intellectual tradition. Over the last 15 years, Saint Agnes has experienced a remarkable renewal, embracing a Catholic classical liberal arts approach that integrates the parish's rich liturgical traditions, effectively forming students in faith, reason and virtue. This transformation followed a critical period in 2007 when the school faced the threat of closure. Under new leadership, however, Saint Agnes recharted their destiny, drawing on the deep well of the Catholic intellectual tradition and has experienced steady growth since. From enrolling 430 students in 2009, enrollment has more than doubled, serving 835 students from Preschool through 12th grade. This growth spans all areas: financial, student success, co-curricular activities, athletics, and family engagement. Over $20 million has been invested in campus improvements, further supporting the school's continued momentum. Meanwhile, the parish has also flourished, drawing in more families from the school community. Saint Agnes has become a national leader in Catholic education reform. Recognized on the Cardinal Newman Society’s Honor Roll, partnered with the Institute for Catholic Liberal Education, and a finalist for the 2024 Hillsdale College’s Henry Salvatori Award, the school’s success story is inspiring educators from other Catholic schools. Educators from across the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, and beyond, frequently visit Saint Agnes to learn about its effective approach to Catholic education.

The Heart of Saint Agnes: Academic Excellence and Christian Witness

Central to this transformation is Saint Agnes' understanding of teaching as both a profession and a Christian witness. In 2017, the school welcomed four Dominican sisters from Ann Arbor, MI, to its faculty. These sisters inspire the lay teachers, reminding them daily of the school’s mission and their role as visible witnesses to the faith. At Saint Agnes, faculty members are seen as the most prominent examples of Christian witness for many students, embodying the school’s mission in their work and lives.

Saint Agnes places particular emphasis on its liberal arts curriculum as the most powerful means of character formation. By engaging students in the great conversa

tions of the hum

an experience—love, suffering, death, truth, and justice—the curriculum goes beyond mere academic study. It invites students into a dialogue that St. John Henry Newman called cor ad cor loquitur, "heart speaking to heart." The curriculum is designed to spark deep, meaningful reflection on the human condition and the divine, providing students with both intellectual and moral clarity. Subjects like math, science, and theology invite students to contemplate the origins of creation and the nature of Go

d, complementing the humanities’ exploration of life’s most profound questions.

Integral to this intellectual and spiritual formation is the school’s sacramental life. The Neo-baroque church at the heart of the campus

serves as a constant reminder of the school’s mission to form virtuous and faithful individuals. Through

regular participation in Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, and devotions, students are encouraged to integrate their spiritual lives with their intellectual pursuits. The Education in Virtue program further reinforces this by challenging students to cultivate the Cardinal and Theological Virtues in their daily lives. Together, these effor

ts ensure that Saint Agnes is not just a place of academic growth, but a community committed to developing individuals who are intellectually strong, spiritually grounded, and ready to make meaningful contributions to society.

Formation of Virtuous Students

The school’s commitment to forming virtuous young men and women is evident in the achievements of its students and alumni. One recent example is a student who developed a project providing quality blankets for newborns and mothers in need at a local hospital. Other alumni have gained recognition for their work, such as creating adaptive toys for disabled children at the University of Mary. Each year, Saint Agnes sends about 50 students to the March for Life in Washington, D.C., representing the largest group from the Archdiocese. These students are living witnesses to the school’s mission of serving the wider community and witnessing to Christ and His Church. Saint Agnes students are also deeply engaged in Catholic advocacy and civic responsibility. The school’s Civics/Government with Economics and Catholic Social Doctrine course offers seniors a comprehensive understanding of government, economics, and Catholic social teaching. Through this course and participation in events like Catholics at the Capitol, students are equipped to develop an informed conscience and participate actively in political life. The school’s history and philosophy curriculum further deepens students’ understanding of their role in the American experiment and their duty to promote the common good. Earlier this month, St. Agnes hosted a Pro-Life Youth Rally, with representatives from over 10 schools and homeschooling groups. Read about the rally here at the National Catholic Register. 

Co-Curricular Activities and Service

The school offers a wide range of co-curricular activities that complement its academic and spiritual mission. Athletics, service clubs, and academic competitions

provide opportunities for students to grow in discipline, teamwork, and leadership while fostering a strong sense of community. These activities encourage students to live out their faith in both practice and participation, with their commitment to excellence extending beyond the classroom and athletic field. The Padre Pio Work Study program offers students the opportunity to engage in the school’s maintenance efforts, teaching them the value of hard work and gratitude. Service is a vital part of the school ethos, with students participating in projects such as packing meals for the hungry, visiting the elderly, and hosting Red Cross blood drives. These initiatives help instill a lifelong commitment to charity and service, fostering the understanding that their gifts are meant to be shared with others.

Looking Ahead

As the school continues to grow, it faces challenges, particularly regarding space and the growing demand for enrollment. There is a pressing need for additional facilities, especially for athletics and co-curricular activities. Saint Agnes is also focused on supporting students with a range of academic needs, ensuring that all students receive the accommodations they require to thrive. To address these challenges, the school has developed a strategic plan that prioritizes campus expansion, student support, and building a strong endowment to sustain its mission for the next century.

Despite these challenges, the future of Saint Agnes is bright. With a strong sense of school spirit, a deeply rooted mission, and a growing community, the school remains steadfast in its commitment to Catholic education and classical learning. Its success is a testament to the transformative power of a Catholic education, one that combines academic rig

or with spiritual formation, preparing students to lead both in the Church and the world.

St. Agnes in the news:

• 7 Things Your Children's School Can Do to Promote Its Catholic Identity - an article by St. Agnes Parents in the National Catholic Register.

• CS Teaching Fellows Program – founded by CSMA and Saint Agnes School

• Recognized by the Cardinal Newman Society’s Honor Roll

• News article: Anonymous Donor Gifts Scholarship to St. Paul School in Honor of Retired Coach

• News article: Dr. Ferdinandt (headmaster) featured in quotes on article about faithful Catholic Education

• CLT article: Interview with Director of Academics, Dr. Michael Adkins, on classical schools and the CLT

• University of St. Thomas Catholic Studies alumni feature: Michael Adkins on Catholic education

• UST Newsroom: “The Comeback Kids” – The Story of Saint Agnes’ drastic turn-around

• Relevant Radio: 2 Saint Agnes teachers talk about the importance of the Latin language

• Local CBS news: “Community, AP Studies Help School Make Award-Winning Comeback” good article, but unfortunately titled about “AP” – it was instead honors-level courses

• Twin Cities Pioneer Press: “Frogtown’s St. Agnes Catholic School Marks Turn-Around”

• Pioneer Press: “St. Agnes Baseball Wins Class A Championship”