Faculty and Staff
The Prince of Peace Catholic School's faculty is comprised of 28 full-time faculty, which includes a Guidance Counselor and Athletic Director at the high school, and three part-time teaching staff. Pope John also has eight preschool/daycare staff. Among both faculties, 65% hold a Master's degree. The average years of teaching experience across the faculty are 13.5 years.
Enrollment
Enrollment at the schools has been steadily increasing during the past seven years. Presently, over 400 students are enrolled. Both schools try to keep classes small in order to maximize teacher-student interaction.
Approximately 96% of the currently enrolled students live in Jefferson County. The remaining student population is drawn from neighboring Scott, Switzerland, Jennings, Ripley, Trimble and Carroll Counties.
Academic Program and Curriculum
The academic program for Pope John XXIII Elementary stresses student achievement and mastery of the basic building blocks of a lifelong education. These objectives are achieved through English, math, reading, spelling, science, social studies, computers, handwriting, physical education, music and art.
The Shawe Memorial curriculum is classified as college prep. In addition to the State required Core 40, electives are available which permit Shawe Memorial students to complete the requirements for the Indiana Academic Honors Diploma. Also, Shawe Memorial qualified seniors may enroll in freshman level courses at Hanover College and earn college credit.
All students in the Prince of Peace Catholic Schools have a daily religion class along with a weekly Mass or prayer service.
Tuition
All families who send their children to Prince of Peace Catholic Schools are assessed tuition and fees. In addition, the annual budget for the Schools is subsidized by a gift from the Prince of Peace Parish.
Parents, alumni, and friends of the Prince of Peace Catholic Schools have always been generous in their financial support of the School's mission. Through the formation of Friends of Shawe and Pope John Schools, Inc. in 1986, the long-held dream of a foundation to provide perpetual support had been realized. Privately incorporated, Friends has provided gifts to the schools totaling over $550,000 and holds an endowment valued at $800,000.
Extracurricular Activities
In addition to academic subjects, many extra- and co-curricular activities enhance the life of students in both schools. The students at Pope John Elementary have the opportunity to participate in many activities such as: The State Spelling Bee, Math Bowl, Midwest Talent Search, Geography Bee, ExploraVision, D.A.R.E., after school dance and piano lessons, and Show Choir, the "Noteables."
Shawe Memorial participates in semiannual dramatic productions produced by the Drama Club, band concerts, Show Choir, "Encore," and the production of a monthly student newspaper. The Topper Tribune, and the award winning student yearbook, The Connoisseur.
Athletics play a significant role as well, the Shawe Memorial students participating in interscholastic competition as members of the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) in Class A and as members of the Ohio River Valley Conference (ORVC). Students participate in sports at the Varsity, Junior Varsity and Junior High levels.
A wide variety of sports are offered to students, including baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track, and volleyball. Students also participate in athletics offered through the Lide White Boys and Girls Club, the Jefferson County Youth Soccer Association, and Madison Parks and Recreation Department.
Students at both schools are encouraged to find ways to serve one another and the community. Pope John students visit area nursing homes with their Christmas and Spring concerts. Shawe Memorial juniors and seniors are required to do community service work as a criterion for graduation. All students routinely participate in church mission activities.
Student Achievement
Student achievement scores on standardized testing instruments are routinely outstanding. Prince of Peace Catholic Schools' students who take the State of Indiana's ISTEP+ perform above the countywide and statewide averages.
Junior and senior level students at Shawe Memorial take the PSAT and SAT tests with excellent results showing an upward trend over the last decade. Over the past five years, 4% of Shawe Memorial students have been named National Merit Semifinalists and many other graduates have received numerous regional and local honors and scholarships. Through the last five years, over 90% of the graduating seniors have chosen to further their education in a two or four year college program.
Take A Closer Look
We encourage you to visit our schools. Please contact us for an appointment.
