Parish School Increases Enrollment, Welcomes New Students and Parents.

Now in its eleventh year on the parish campus, St. Louis de Montfort Catholic School (SLDM) has made a leap forward that’s a bit extraordinary in the current economic and educational climate. Our parish school, which instructs children in pre-kindergarten through grade eight, is up from 460 students in 2009-2010 to just shy of 500 students to begin this school year. Although there are still openings, many grade levels have a waiting list for the first time in the history of the school Being very near capacity for the first time is a noteworthy accomplishment for school and parish administrators as well as for students and parents.

“The secret is out," said Principal Annette Jones. “What we have done is make a concerted effort to market the school to our parishioners at SLDM and those outside our church community in a much more concrete way. We believe we offer families an exceptional spiritual and academic atmosphere here, and it seemed overdue that we say so just a bit louder. A full school equals greater opportunities for our students, and fiscally, the numbers bear that out as well.”

SLDM had focused efforts on making new families feel welcome when they visit for tours, which are conducted by Mrs. Jones or by Assistant Principal Gail Harpold. Teachers are encouraged to share with newcomers what is happening in their classrooms, both spiritually and academically. It seems to be paying off.

It turns out good old-fashioned personal connection can make all the difference. New parishioners Marc and Jen Konesco and their children, Joellen and Cam, are fine examples. The Konescos had planned to enroll their oldest child, daughter Joellen, in a good public school in Carmel. However, they felt that God was calling them to look at Catholic school. “In mid-March, we decided it was time,” said Jen, “and we took a tour of SLDM. We signed on the dotted line that day. I remember we were very impressed by the sixth and seventh graders that passed us in the hallway between classes, looked us in the eye and said hello. You don’t get that most places.”

We thank God every day that he kept nudging us. Joellen would have been fine at her public elementary school, but here she is thriving. Marc and I have been blown away by how welcoming the SLDM community is.”

Those sentiments are echoed by another new parish family who joined the parish because they decided to enroll their son at the parish school. “The hospitality here is unbelievable,” said Pam Adams, mother of Nick, a seventh grader. “We have done some moving around over the years, and Nick has never felt like the ‘new kid’ at SLDM. It’s the sense of Christian community that is immediately apparent here that is truly impressive.

“Having Father Pat hold our feet to the fire about the example of faith we need to be to our children – at the first parent meeting we attended – that made an impact, too.”

Another differentiator is the unique set of academic and international opportunities that the students have been exposed to with Mrs. Jones at the helm. Her passion for understanding differences among cultural learning style has paid off in grants, awards and prestigious participation in various culture exchange programs. The first ever International Fair for students in grades five through eight was held last year as well. Among the special visitors were instructors from Finland as well as a Chinese principal. An Argentinean educator will be here yet this fall.

Local media have taken notice. The exposure helps increase awareness not only of the presence of the parish at large but also of the value to students of receiving a high quality Catholic education.

“The quality of the education offered at SLDM is second to none,” said Pam. She cites the availability and accessibility of teachers, the Spanish curriculum and the unique program such as a Steven Covey leadership program for eighth graders as well as the artist-in-residence offerings as unique and impressive.

Perhaps the best testimony of all comes from SLDM kindergartener Joellen Konesco. According to her mom Jen, “Saturday mornings, Joellen wakes up and says, ‘Oh man. I can’t go to Mrs. Popovich’s class today?’ That says everything right there. The Lord is so good to us, and just look how he led us to a school that is truly a perfect fit.”

Article written by Shelly Thieme

For more information about St. Louis de Montfort Catholic School, call Principal Annette Jones at 317­842-1125 or e-mail her at ajones@sldmfishers.org.