There are lots of wonderful things happening at St. Edmond Catholic School this year.

For the first time in recent years, we saw an increase in enrollment by about 8 percent. We welcomed 46 new students from the start of last school year.

A big kindergarten class forced us to add a third section and the ninth grade class gained the most new students overall. One of our strengths continues to be low teacher to student ratio so every student gets lots of attention. The teachers are devoted and committed to providing the best educational experience possible for the students.

We are so fortunate to have such a beautiful worship center to celebrate mass in on a weekly basis. Having a school chaplain and campus minister on site daily is an added bonus.

I get asked all the time, how is St. Edmond different from other schools? My response is always the same, “we teach the whole child, not just academics. We strive to form the soul so when students leave SE, they will be prepared to be good servant leaders.”

Beyond the spiritual formation, our students have many opportunities for success in their academics, arts and activities. This fall, four out of five fall teams placed at their respective state meets, cheerleading placed first in stunt and cheer/dance group competition, girls cross country placed third and boys cross country placed 10th.

Three musicians made all-state and many other students participated in the Fine Arts Showcase that was held in October.

Over 90 percent of the students participate in an extra-curricular activity. St. Edmond is very fortunate to have such amazing partnerships with Iowa Central Community College and the Fort Dodge Public School system. Our high school students have the option to take classes we don’t offer at the public school or from ICCC. Some of our students also attend the North Central Career Academy in Eagle Grove to specialize in an area.

Starting next semester, some hybrid online classes are going to be introduced to our students. The students had a chance to pick which ones they would like to take and as a result of that some new hybrid courses will be available second semester including; Culinary Arts-baking, Interior Design, Gaming and Animation.

Some other new in-person courses are; Botany, Folklore, Film Study, WHoDUnIT, educational studies, classical and constitutional history, engineering, investments, certification in officiating, nurse aide, foundations of health and medical terminology. A youth coding league for fifth and sixth graders will begin second semester and run similar to a sports team. Coaches will assist the students as they compete with other students around the U.S.

Many great service projects are taking place such as; prayer partners, reading and mass buddies, Marian Home visits, sacramental preparation, Foster Care Suitcase Drive and many more. This past summer, Camp St. Ed’s was a new program that was offered to our families and it was very successful. With the addition of this program, we are now able to offer families year-round child care.

One of the greatest things about our campus is the one-stop shop which makes it so easy for parents that have children in multiple grades. They can also take advantage of SEAS (the after-school program) and not have to pick up their child until they get off work. Every year this program is at capacity. There is a strong partnership between families and the school, all striving to develop each child that walks through the doors, emotionally, spiritually and academically.

Mary Gibb is president of St. Edmond Catholic School