DEDICATED TO THE GREATER GLORY
OF GOD THROUGH THE INTERCESSION OF ST. PIUS X AND ST. MATTHIAS, PATRONS OF OUR SCHOOL.
Statement of Belief
“Go therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, behold, I am with you always, even unto the end of the World” (MT 28: 19-20).
With this statement, Christ sent forth His apostles on a mission of evangelization. Catholic education promotes and fosters the teaching and values of the Catholic Church as written in Sacred Scriptures and professed by the Magisterium of the Catholic Church articulated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Catholic schools, through their educational efforts, provide an essential ecclesiastical ministry, the primary purpose of which is evangelization through a critical transmission of culture in the light of faith and the integral formation of the human person, mind, body, and spirit, to fulfill God’s calling for all to a fullness of Christian living in this world and the next.
Catholic education is an expression of the Church’s mission of salvation and an instrument of evangelization: to make disciples of Christ and to teach them to observe all that He has commanded.a Through Catholic education, students encounter God, who in Jesus Christ reveals His transforming love and truth.b Christ is the foundation of Catholic education;c He is the Master who journeys with students through school and life as genuine Teacher and perfect Man.d As a faith community in communion with the Church, all its members give witness to Christ’s teachings as set forth by the Magisterium and especially as articulated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. With a Christian vision, Catholic education fulfills its purpose of the critical transmission of culture in the light of faith and integral formation of students in body, mind, and spirit.e
Evangelization. Our school assists in the salvific mission of the Catholic Church by preparing all students to seek and proclaim the Good News through education and formation in the Catholic faith.
Encounter with Christ. Through daily interaction, prayer, liturgies, and participation in the sacraments, all members of the school community encounter Christ and His transforming love and truth and in so doing are drawn to proclaim and fulfill His calling for them and for the Christian community. Through this encounter, students are moved toward the fullness of their humanity, becoming more aware of the gift of Faith given them at Baptism, to mature into adults who will bear witness to the Mystical Body of Christ, respect the dignity of the human person, provide service, lead apostolic lives, and build the Kingdom of God.
Community of faith. As members of a Catholic educational community, we are all called to model confident and joyful public witness in both word and deed and to live by the moral demands of the Gospel in order to model for students the integration of faith and life and to assist in the development of virtues characteristic of the Catholic Christian. We do this by living in communion with the Church and its teachings.
Believing in the mercy and forgiveness of Christ, we acknowledge our sinful and fallen nature and look to Christ and to the Sacraments He has given us as sources of grace and strength, particularly when striving to live according to the Ten Commandments given to us in the Old Testament and the Beatitudes given to us by Christ in the New.
Authority for teaching. We profess that all authority for our moral and spiritual teaching is based on the Gospels of Jesus Christ and the traditions of the Catholic Church as taught by its ordinary and extraordinary Magisterium, and especially as contained within the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Transmission of culture. Permeated by an evangelical spirit of authentic freedom and charity, our school provides a unique setting where everyone is aware of the living presence of Jesus Christ as evidenced throughout the daily rituals of prayer and Sacraments, harmonious and friendly relationships, and curricular selections where faith and culture are intertwined in all areas of school life. Cultivating within students their intellectual, creative, and aesthetic faculties in order to develop the right use of reason, promote a sense of values, and encouraging just attitudes and prudent behavior, our school environment strives to hand down the cultural patrimony of previous generations, in particular a Christian anthropology which teaches that man was made in the image and likeness of God.
St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy is a Catholic archdiocesan high school for young men and women. A unique family atmosphere permeates all aspects of school life, and a fundamental focus is placed on the development of a positive sense of self-worth and individual importance. Students are encouraged to develop their God-given potential to grow into mature Christian men and women, ready to take their place as leaders in service to their church, their community, and the world.
Vision Statement
PMA will excel in creating a Catholic educational environment where students recognize their significance in our school community, are encouraged and supported to seize opportunities to grow and to lead, emerging as empowered, faith-inspired and contributing citizens of their community and the world.
We will be known for visionary leadership; innovative and passionate educators; inspired, tenacious and optimistic students; supportive families and an engaged community.
Mission Statement
Recognizing that education is the key that opens the door to countless opportunities in life, PMA exist to provide a challenging Catholic college preparatory education in a supportive learning community that will positively affect the lives of teenagers, and provide opportunities for all students to grow in faith, learn without limits, and live with a purpose.
Philosophy
We believe that a college education is a right rather than a privilege, and that every student deserves a chance to pass through that gateway to success in life. Everyday, our caring teachers enthusiastically promote each student as a significant member of the community, guiding them past any obstacles that could keep them from seizing academic, personal, and spiritual growth opportunities.
Our philosophy is rooted in the concept of family. As members of the family of God, students are encouraged to grow in their relationship with the living, loving God, who calls each by name.
Essential to this philosophy is the recognition of the importance of each student’s family and the role of parents as primary educators. A unique family atmosphere permeates all aspects of school life. The faculty and staff are committed to cooperating with parents in meeting the spiritual, academic, and social needs of the students. We respect and love the cultural heritage each student brings to the school community and strive to broaden the student’s appreciation of the customs and traditions of all cultures.
Within the PMA family, a fundamental focus is placed on the development of a positive sense of self-worth and on the importance of each individual. Students who value themselves and others have the potential to grow into mature Christian men & women, ready to take their place as leaders in service to the world community in their chosen fields. Concern for peace and justice is encouraged as part of the Christian life. Emphasis on responsible decision making and on accountability for choices made is key to the moral and personal development of each student. Expectations regarding conduct, both in and out of school, are clearly delineated and promote growth in self-discipline.
Our Catholic Identity
The Holy See’s teaching on Catholic schools lays a foundation for the five marks of Catholic education which indicate that the Catholic school community is:
● Inspired by a supernatural vision
● Founded on a Christian Anthropology
● Animated by Communion and Community
● Imbued with a Catholic Worldview throughout its curriculum
● Sustained by Gospel Witness
“You have to stand for something or your will fall for anything” This old adage is just as true today, especially in a highly secularized and materialistic culture. There are so many demands and requestsmade of our educational and extracurricular programs. Everyone seems to have an opinion on what the school and its programs should look like, do, not do, cost and accomplish. With all these ideas flying around, how can we create a clearer identity? How can everyone involved in our mission know what they are working for?
The spiritual principles outlined below are the fabric of our identity as a Catholic community. These seven spiritual principles guide and represent who we are called to be as a ministry of the Church and as children of a loving God. It is our sincere desire that these values serve as a “spiritual barometer” for us as individuals and as a community of faith. By adopting them we can ensure that we are all working toward the same goal (Romans 15:6). Finally, they can be used as a measuring stick, giving the Spirit the freedom to show us where we still need to be perfected (Matthew 5:48).
PMA's PASTORAL SPIRITUAL PRINCIPLES
LOVE“We love because He first loved us” 1 John 4:19. We strive in all moments and circumstances to love others as Christ loved. This foundation simple in premise and command, serves as the basis of our ministry.
A SPIRIT OF EVANGELIZATION
We speak truth to God’s children through our words and actions, inviting them to know Him more deeply. Driven by our desire for all of our students and families to know the mercy and love of God, we are committed to our ministry with this spirit that permeates every aspect of our school community.
JOY
We live by an unrelenting belief in the goodness of God, and in His desire not for our momentary happiness, but our everlasting life. Our spirit is one of true joy, keeping life in perspective and allowing the peace of God to reign in our hearts, regardless of what the world might bring at any given moment.
FAITHFULNESS TO OUR PRIMARY VOCATION
We maintain openness to the call of God in our lives and a willingness to discern, respond and prioritize our lives according to that call. Whether designed for the religious, married, or single life, we not only embrace the vocation we were designed for, but insure that it remains primary, not allowing God’s work in ministry to overtake God’s call to holiness.
AFFIRMATION
We refuse to be overwhelmed by the negativity pervading our culture. Words and actions are designed by the Creator to bring life to creation, not death. We make every effort and take every opportunity to build up the Kingdom on Earth, rather than tear it down.
AUTHENTICITY
We live authentically, not denying our human weakness or shying away from the need for personal improvement, but working towards holiness, with resolve. The world needs quality examples of Christian men and women who live out their faith. As leaders in ministry, we live our faith authentically, providing the living example of a Christian, and giving hope that others, too, can follow Christ.
A EUCHARISTIC SPIRITUALITY
We seek to become one with Christ in all ways. Through a strong devotion to the Blessed Mother, we develop a more profound understanding of Jesus Christ. Through the Holy Scriptures, we grow in sanctity through the Incarnate Word. Through openness to the Charisms of the Holy Spirit, we allow God’s love to permeate this world. Through adherence to the Church that our Lord established, we act in obedience and humility. Through our frequenting the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist in Most Holy Communion, we become one with the living God. These intimate experiences with Christ are unmistakable signs of His love.
PMA's CORE VALUES
FAITH IN GOD – We seek to embody the love of God to our students and families by being committed to our ministry.
ACADEMIC GROWTH – Our rigorous core curriculum is designed to meet the educational needs of a diverse student population, while emphasizing academic progress and improved
performance for each student.
SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY – All Catholic Schools provide family environments, but ours is a family whose arms are tightly linked with each other, to ensure our students reach and
exceed their educational, emotional, physical goals.
OPPORTUNITY – St. Pius X - St. Matthias Academy builds confidence in our students by recognizing their significance in our school community and thus empowering them to
seize opportunities as students and leaders.
INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY – Diversity is embraced at St. Pius - X St. Matthias Academy, and the whole school shares the responsibility for modeling and teaching the value of being a welcoming and inclusive community.
SERVICE INSPIRED BY FAITH – We believe in growing highly compassionate young adults who care about each other and the world, and who recognize the power of living their lives in service of others.
THE SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME
PMA is proud to adopt the rich educational heritage offered by The Sisters of Notre Dame Educational Partnership Alliance. As the founding order of St. Matthias High School (1960-2013) The Sisters of Notre Dame have been a part of the community since its inception and we proudly carry forth their rich traditions of Catholic education. St.Pius X-St. Matthias Academy is guided by the
Educational Principles of the Sisters of Notre Dame
Parent’s Role in Education
We, at PMA, consider it a privilege to work with parents in the education of their children because we believe parents are the primary educators of their children; “Parents are the first and most important educators of their own children, and they also possess a fundamental competence in this area: they are educators because they are parents.” (1994 Letter to Families Pope John Paul II). Therefore, it is your right and your duty to become the primary role models for the development of your child’s life-physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and psychologically. Your choice of PMA involves a commitment and exhibits a concern for helping your teenager to recognize God as the greatest good in their life.
Being a good example is the strongest teacher. Your personal relationship with God, with each other, and with the Church community will affect the way your teenager relates to God and others. Ideals taught in school are not well rooted in a young person unless these are nurtured by the example of good Catholic/Christian morality and by an honest personal relationship with God in your family life.
Once you have chosen to enter into a partnership with us at PMA, we trust you will be loyal to this commitment. During these maturing years (9th-12th grade), your teenager needs constant support from both parents and faculty in order to develop their moral, intellectual, social, cultural, and physical endowment. Neither parents nor teachers can afford to doubt the sincerity of the efforts of their educational partner in the quest of challenging, yet nourishing, and the student to reach their potential. It is vital that both parents and teachers remember that allowing oneself to be caught between the student and the other partner will never have positive results. To divide authority between school and home or within the home will only teach disrespect of all authority. If there is an incident at school, you as parents must make investigation of the complete story your first step. Evidence of mutual respect between parents and teachers will model good mature behavior and relationships.
Students are naturally eager to grow and learn. However, sometimes in the process of maturation new interests may cause them to lose focus. As this natural process occurs, the student needs both understanding and discipline. At times, your child may perceive discipline as restrictive. However, it is boundaries and limits, which provide a young person with both guidance and security.
It is essential that a student takes responsibility for grades he or she has earned and be accountable for homework, long-term assignments, major tests, service projects, and all other assignments. This responsibility also extends to times of absence.
We must have a commitment to partnership as we support one another in helping each student become the best person he or she is capable of becoming.
Parents As Partners
As partners in the educational process at PMA, we ask parents:
To set rules, times, and limits so that your teenager:
Gets to bed early on school nights;
Arrives at school on time and is picked up on time at the end of the day;
Is dressed according to the school dress code;
We further encourage parents to:
To actively participate in school activities such as Parent-Teacher Conferences.
To see that the student pays for any damage to school books or property due to carelessness or neglect on the part of the student.
To become involved with the school by attending and participating in various community events.
To grow in faith by participation in faith formation events for parents.
To notify the school office of any changes of address or important phone numbers.
To meet all financial obligations to the school in a timely manner.
To inform the school of any special situation regarding the student’s well-being, safety, and health.
To complete and return to school any requested information promptly.
To regularly check student’s academic progress through available means (Powerschool).
To read school notes and newsletters and to show interest in the student’s total education.
To support the religious and educational goals of the school.
To support and cooperate with the discipline policy of the school.
To treat teachers with respect and courtesy in discussing student problems.
To abide by the rules, regulations and guidelines set forth in the Parent/Student Handbook.
To process all school communications (phone, social media, email, postal mail) with detailed attention.
Mission Integrity
The school joyfully exercises its responsibility to teach Catholic faith and morals in all fullness and especially as expressed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Parents or guardians and non-Catholics whose religious practices and beliefs run counter to Church teaching might experience possible conflicts as we maintain mission integrity. Sincere questioning of the practices of the Catholic faith in order to more deeply understand them are welcome, but openly hostile, public defiance and challenge of Catholic truths or morality, are signs that a student, parent, staff or faculty member may not be a fit for our school’s primary evangelical mission and, thus, may be denied admission or may be asked to leave the school.
