By Jen Hanley

St. Joseph High School introduces Pathways

St. Joseph High School is launching a signature Pathways Program with the Class of 2029, giving students a structured opportunity to explore their interests through a four-year sequence of courses and experiences in a specific field.

Students can choose between two pathways: Health Sciences and Business & Innovation. Each pathway includes courses designed to deepen students’ knowledge and provide hands-on experiences related to their chosen area of interest.

The programs culminate in distinct senior-year opportunities. Health Sciences students will complete a Capstone Research Methods course, while students in Business & Innovation will participate in an off-campus internship. These experiences are intended to help students connect classroom learning with practical applications and future academic or career goals.

Students who successfully complete a pathway will be recognized at graduation and receive a distinctive academic designation on their transcripts. The new program reflects St. Joseph’s commitment to helping students discover their strengths, investigate possible career directions and make informed decisions about life after high school. More information is available at sjcadets.org/pathways.
St. Rose School celebrates faith and community

St. Rose School has begun with a strong focus on faith

September brought students and families together for the school’s Second Annual Car Show and monthly Family Bingo, along with a special Mass honoring the 65th jubilee of Sisters Thaddeus and Mary Ellen.

The fall calendar offers additional opportunities for families to connect with the school. St. Rose’s Fall Open House invited prospective families to tour the campus, meet faculty and students, and learn more about the school community. Eighth graders are also preparing for the annual Pumpkin Bowl, a longstanding flag football tradition. Later in the month, families will gather for Trunk or Treat.

Across classrooms, athletic fields and community events, St. Rose continues to bring students together through academics, athletics, service and faith formation. These traditions help strengthen the bonds among students, families and faculty while making the school year a time of growth, connection and shared purpose.

St. Ann Academy strengthens family connections

St. Ann Academy in Bridgeport has begun the school year with enthusiasm and a renewed commitment to family partnership. Guided by the theme “Eyes fixed on Jesus,” scholars and staff are growing together through prayer, weekly Mass and meaningful classroom experiences.

September offered several opportunities to strengthen the school community. Back to School Night welcomed families into classrooms to meet teachers, connect with one another and learn about the year ahead. At the first PTA meeting, families began planning Trunk or Treat, the school’s October 16 Hispanic Heritage celebration and improvements to the cafeteria.

Scholars also completed their first i-Ready diagnostic assessments, giving teachers information to identify student strengths and plan targeted instruction. Eighth graders led a September 11 remembrance through prayer and reflection, encouraging their classmates to consider hope, compassion and service.

Under the leadership of Principal Jennifer Meléndez, St. Ann Academy continues to cultivate a joyful, supportive environment where every scholar is encouraged to grow academically, socially and spiritually.

Greenwich Catholic hosts annual High School Fair

Greenwich Catholic School welcomed representatives from more than 60 high schools, academies and preparatory schools from Fairfield County, surrounding counties and across the Northeast for its annual High School Fair on September 23.

Students in Grades 6–8 and their families attended to explore options for the next stage of their academic journeys. Representatives shared information about admissions applications, tuition, curriculum and student life, helping families better understand the opportunities available at each school.

“Our mission is to provide our students with a life-long intellectual and spiritual foundation and prepare them for high school and beyond,” said Head of School Rebecca Steck. She added that Greenwich Catholic takes pride in graduates who are faithful, inquisitive, generous, determined and collaborative, and described the fair as a valuable opportunity for students and families.

The event also welcomed Greenwich Catholic alumni, who reconnected with former teachers and helped answer questions about the high school enrollment process. Their participation offered current students and families a personal perspective as they consider the next steps in their educational journeys.
Immaculate students earn scholarships, academic recognition

Immaculate students begin year with notable achievements

Three students received awards from the Angeles T. Arredondo Foundation for their future studies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Robert Pattison ’27 earned first prize, Richard “Owen” Matte earned second prize, and Joao Augusto De Oliveira received third prize.

Pattison also earned national recognition as a semifinalist in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program. He is among fewer than 16,000 students selected from more than 1.2 million qualifying test takers nationwide.

Another Mustang achievement comes from Landon Campo, whose AP Research paper has been accepted for publication in a peer-reviewed academic journal. The accomplishment recognizes his commitment to scholarly inquiry and sustained research.

The school year began with two cherished community traditions, Prayer on the Hill and the Ice Cream Social. Since then, Immaculate students have continued to pursue opportunities in classrooms, laboratories, athletics and beyond, demonstrating curiosity, determination and a commitment to academic excellence.

St. Thomas Aquinas celebrates Special Persons Day

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School in Fairfield welcomed family members, friends and other important people in students’ lives on October 2 for its annual Special Persons Day. The tradition gives students an opportunity to share their school experience with the people who support and encourage them.

The day began with Mass, accompanied by music from the school choir. After the liturgy, visitors joined students in their classrooms, where they met teachers, saw learning spaces and gained a closer look at daily school life.

This year’s celebration also featured Our Daily Bread, a cookbook created by the St. Thomas Aquinas community. The collection brings together recipes contributed by families, grandparents, faculty, clergy and friends of the school. More than a collection of recipes, the cookbook reflects the many generations and relationships that help shape the St. Thomas community.

Through prayer, classroom visits and shared traditions, Special Persons Day celebrated the partnership between school and family and recognized the important role that loved ones play in students’ educational and spiritual growth.

St. Gregory 8th graders launch “Mission Possible”

Eighth graders at St. Gregory the Great School are putting their creativity and leadership into action through “Mission Possible,” a student-led initiative designed to recognize classmates who embody the school’s mission.

Working as undercover agents, students identify and highlight peers who demonstrate the values of the St. Gregory the Great community. The project is managed by students from beginning to end, giving them responsibility for graphic design, photography, videography, screenwriting, budgeting, planning and production.

Through this collaborative effort, students are developing practical skills in communication, organization, teamwork, creativity and leadership. Their findings will be shared through a series of student-produced videos and features that showcase the many ways classmates live out the school’s mission each day.
The finished pieces will appear on the school’s social media channels and on the television in the school lobby, allowing students, families, staff and visitors to see the mission in action. “Mission Possible” combines student voice with hands-on learning while encouraging the school community to recognize everyday examples of character, service and leadership.

All Saints begins year as a growing faith family

All Saints Catholic School has welcomed the new school year with renewed energy, new friendships and a strong sense of community, from its youngest PK3 students to its eighth graders.

The school also welcomed Dr. Lou Howe as its new Principal and Instructional Leader, beginning an exciting chapter while keeping its Catholic mission at the center of school life.

The House System is already bringing students together across grade levels through leadership training and Big Buddy connections.

Older students have met with younger buddies to build friendships and learn that leadership is rooted in faith, service, responsibility and care for others.

Students are also getting involved beyond the classroom. They have joined volleyball and cross-country teams, auditioned for Drama Club, and participated in Scouts and other activities. Meanwhile, parents are connecting, friendships are forming, and new families are becoming part of the community.

At All Saints, students are encouraged to learn, lead, serve and grow together. With a new school year underway, the school’s faith family is building on familiar traditions while welcoming new opportunities and experiences.

Sacred Heart Greenwich celebrates Commended Students

Sacred Heart Greenwich is celebrating six members of the Class of 2027 who have been named Commended Students in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program. The honorees are Sarah Bellissimo, Caeley Clough, Meghan Marshall, Carolyn McBreen, Whitney Rousseau and Miranda Zapata-Mardini.

Approximately 34,000 students nationwide are recognized as Commended Students for their academic achievement. They are among the top 50,000 students who entered the competition, which recognizes scholastic excellence and outstanding performance.

Established in 1955, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation is a not-for-profit organization that honors high-achieving students across the country. Students enter the competition through their performance on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, taken during their junior year.

“Sacred Heart Greenwich is thrilled to celebrate six students who have earned national recognition as 2027 Commended Students in the National Merit Scholarship Program,” said Michael F. Baber, president of Sacred Heart Greenwich. “This distinction reflects their academic excellence and dedication, and we are immensely proud of all they have accomplished.”

The recognition celebrates the students’ hard work and academic commitment and reflects the school community’s continued dedication to intellectual growth and achievement.