2019-2020
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We are a parish school in
the Diocese of Brooklyn
and were founded in September
of 1921. The Grey Nuns of
the Sacred Heart began our
school. Mother Saint Augustine
was our first principal
and she, along with five other
Grey Nuns, taught in a house
on Northern Boulevard between
83rd and 84th Street.
There were 200 students
in that first school building.
In 1924 our present school
building was opened and it
soon was filled! St. Joan of
Arc School then rented space
from St. Michael’s School in
Flushing and St. Patrick’s
School in Long Island City
because our school was just
too small! In 1949 the school
had almost 1,500 students!
Today we have been able to
maintain a little over 500 students.
Remember, back when
the school had those 1,500 students,
there was no tuition, no
fees, no book bill! Most of the
teachers were dedicated Grey
Nuns of the Sacred Heart who
received no salary!
We consider our status
as a National Blue Ribbon
School of Excellence more
than just an honor. It’s a reminder
of the true potential
of students to rise to the challenges
of a rigorous education
and each student’s ability to
obtain academic excellence
supported by a teaching staff
that’s invested in seeing them
succeed.
We expect more of our
students. They are going to
work here. We use the Common
Core State Standards,
take New York State tests
in fourth, sixth, and eighth
grades, while also taking the
Terra Nova tests in the Fall.
Grades kindergarten to second
grade take these tests in
the Spring.
Hard work is a cornerstone
of a Saint Joan of Arc education
but our students are not
expected to go it alone. Parents
and teachers partner together
to help their children
along the way.
Our success is due to our
faculty, some who have taught
here 30 years, 25, years, and 20
years. Recent retired teachers
taught here 35 and 37 years!
Saint Joan of Arc is a family.
Many students’ parents were
taught by the same teachers.
There are even a few teachers
who are now teaching grand
children of their first students
when they arrived here
at Saint Joan of Arc!
Children transform into
young women and young
men who value education and
learn to care for others. They
become responsible.
At the beginning of the
day, after reciting our school
mission statement, students
recite these two things:
“I as a student am responsible
for my actions
and accept that it takes self
control, self reliance, no
excuses, no laying blame
on others, and no expecting
a free ride to achieve
my academic success.”
and
“Scholarship is a life
long willingness to learn
and the recognition that
with knowledge comes
moral responsibilities.”
If you are up for the challenge,
parents and child, we
invite you to become part of a
97 year tradition of education
in Jackson Heights!
TIMESLEDGER,TIMESLEDGER.COM JAN. 25-31, 2019 17
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