Quality Catholic Education 1963-2010

The St. Pius X School educational program grounded in the basics, promotes the academic achievement of each student within a structured environment. Together we are a family of learners growing in the spirit of Jesus.


[quicklinks]
» Ten reasons to enroll your child in St. Pius X Catholic School
» Why do Catholic Schools Succeed?
» Parent Testimonials

Ten reasons to enroll your child in St. Pius X Catholic School:

1. Catholic schools offer students an opportunity to learn, experience and celebrate an Incarnational view of the world.

Catholic schools teach children that God is present, God is active. The principle of sacramentality, that God speaks to us through the created world, is taught and lived each day. God has a plan and He continues to reveal that plan in our lives through the people, the places, the things and events around us. At Catholic schools, we look for those signs, hoping and believing in God’s activity in our lives.

2. Catholic schools offer students an opportunity to learn, experience and celebrate Immersion in the Paschal mystery.

The dying and rising of Jesus is celebrated at school masses. The purpose of suffering and the redemptive power of the cross is taught, shared and experienced through assisting students in life’s failures and successes. Remember the sisters’ teaching to “offer it up”?

3. Catholic schools offer students an opportunity to learn, experience and celebrate the Value of relationships as reflections of the Divine.

Relationships with others teach us about our relationship with God. The experience of the school faith community teaches about the community of the Trinity. When problems occur, we get together to share, to act, to pray.

4. Catholic schools offer students an opportunity to learn, experience and celebrate the Importance of Scripture in our lives.

At Catholic schools, we discuss events in our world in light of scripture which helps us to understand. Students and teachers share their understanding of movies like “The Passion of The Christ”, or for younger ones, they learn through Veggie Tales. Events, like creating our own “Little Town of Bethlehem” for the Chamber of Commerce Christmas decorating contest, helps students to learn the context of Jesus’ life and times.

5. Catholic schools offer students an opportunity to learn, experience and celebrate Civic engagement.

Parents are encouraged to write letters to legislators, students hold collections to donate time and items to local charities, students regularly make cards for the homebound which are distributed by the Eucharistic ministers who bring Communion to the sick. Studies have shown that there is a high correlation between graduates of Catholic schools and future civic involvement.

6. Catholic schools offer students an opportunity to learn, experience and celebrate Service for the common good.

Catholic schools promote service activities, like participation in the Feinstein Good Deeds program or the Building Bridges program, where students regularly visit nursing homes. Catholic school parents model service when they assist in school fundraising efforts and other school activities to benefit the school as well as others in the community.

7. Catholic schools offer students an opportunity to learn, experience and celebrate Discipline as a faith expectation.

Self-discipline is just one important value taught at Catholic schools where there is clarity of moral expression and a theological foundation for ethical behavior. Children are taught that stealing is wrong, not because you might be caught, but because God has commanded us not to steal. Character education is one path, but the moral education taught in a Catholic school goes deeper to a value that will last for life, grounded in the expectations of faith and obedience to God. Wrong or evil actions are not labeled “inappropriate”, but are clearly called sins against God and our fellow men.

8. Catholic schools offer students an opportunity to learn, experience and celebrate The centrality of the arts, ritual, drama and music to the life of faith.

The richness of the rituals of the faith are shared and celebrated and are part of the culture of the school community. From the chanting of the Litany of the Saints in November, to May altars decorated with flowers to Mary in the month of May, students learn the rich traditions of the faith.

9. Catholic schools offer students an opportunity to learn, experience and celebrate Personal excellence as a spiritual goal.

Students are taught that excellence is a response to God’s blessings. Students are encouraged to develop and acknowledge, in themselves and in others, all the various ways that God has gifted each of us. We celebrate the accomplishments of all students as they develop their unique gifts and use them to serve others.

10. Catholic schools offer students an opportunity to learn, experience and celebrate The fullness of Catholic identity.

One of the greatest blessings of the Church is the Catholic School which has historically and effectively evangelized students, parents, the Church community and the wider society. It is the applied setting for theology. “They recognized Him in the breaking of the bread.” Catholic schools help students to see Jesus in others who participate at Mass with them and to see Jesus in others as they share their own faith story.

Why do Catholic Schools Succeed?


There is no question that Catholic Schools are very successful in educating children academically and in the faith. The question is: How do they do it?

Studies conducted by independent researchers over the past 20 years yield several findings that help explain the success of Catholic schools:

1. Communities sharing common values exist within Catholic schools, and between the schools and the families attending those schools.

2. The level of involvement, commitment and expectations on the part of Catholic school parents and teachers is very high.

3. Catholic schools offer a higher level of discipline and order.

4. Policies regarding course work, homework and ability level grouping are extremely effective.

The research consistently shows that the findings above remain constant even when family income and other factors are controlled. In fact, disadvantaged students achieve higher levels of learning in Catholic schools than in any other school setting.

Parent Testimonials

Read what parents have to say about their experience at St. Pius X School.

-  Dear Ms. Gaccione and  Ms. Turano, Thank you very much for allowing us to visit your classroom last Friday.  We thoroughly enjoyed watching the Pre-K class in action!  You have done an amazing job leveraging your past experiences to construct a learning environment that is thoughtful, exciting, and engaging.  We were so impressed with the center time activities and the unique ways in which you were able to excite and inspire the class through "morning meeting" group discussion and bible reading.  Your classroom exudes warmth and is a place we could immediately feel comfortable having our daughter enjoy her first formal learning experience.  (4/5/10, sent by letter by prospective parents)

-  The robotics program has been a wonderful activity for our kids. There are so many extra curricular opportunities: basketball, soccer, yearbook, school newspaper, choir Art Club, Fitness Club, Environmental Club, Armata Bianca Prayer Group, Knitting Club, Robotics. What a well rounded school! We could not be happier!  Submitted by a parent (1/2/10 on Greatschools.net website)

-  I am so impressed with St. Pius X school in Westerly! My daughter has been there since Preschool and the teachers in the staff are wonderful! Children are given the individualized attention they need to be successful and are given the knowledge of the blessing of our wonderful Catholic Faith! Mr. Fiore, the principal, is a wonderful shepard for our children as well as the one and only Fr. Ray, he is such an inspiration to young children! I love St. Pius X. They truly care about your child and his/her education and it is a very warm and nurturing environment to be in. Your child will learn respect for him/herself and for others and be nurtured morals and caring for others. Submitted by a parent (9/27/09 on Greatschools.net website)

- My wife and I are extremely happy with St. Pius. A lot of schools are good, but it`s the staff/people who make a difference. Our daughter looks forward to going to school everyday, and we can see the positive results. (Dino and Allison Trombino)

- St. Pius is a great school. My daughter loves going there. It`s because the teachers go that extra mile for the students. (Ann Delicato)

- Our children have been attending St. Pius X School for the past 13 years. The oldest two are now "alumni" of the school and the younger two are now in Grades 5 and 8. The incredible dedication of the staff and faculty has consistently supported our efforts to provide the best education to our children in an environment that is so beautifully focused on solid Christian values and the teachings of the Catholic faith. We are blessed to have a school like St. Pius in our community and, in particular for us, right in our back yard! May God continue to bless the school with solid enrollment numbers, family involvement and children eager to learn. (Lora Brodeur)

- My wife and I are extremely happy with our decision to send our daughter, Jillian to St. Pius. I cannot put a price on the quality education, talented and caring teachers and staff, and the positive influence that a Christian upbringing has provided to her. It is comforting knowing Principal Fiore has always been very attentive to any concerns or questions we may have with his “open-door” leadership philosophy. We look forward to enrolling my son in the school when the time comes for him to enter elementary school. (Daniel & Devin Baccari)

 -St. Pius X exceeded our expectations. We initially chose St. Pius for our pre-schoolers because of its Catholic identity. However, we were so happy with the school environment, faculty and curriculum that we decided that the investment was well worth continuing our two children until grade 8. (Patti & Ron Gladski)

- High academic standards and a reverence for God are two of many reasons that we love St. Pius X. We are also especially grateful for the excellent reading instruction our daughter received. (Michael and Kathryn Colasante)

-  As a parent and a high school teacher myself...The students from St Pius X School are not only more prepared for high school, but they are the most respectful students in our high school.  Submitted by a parent (8/24/09 on Greatschools.net website)

-  My son graduated from St. Pius last year. I waited until his first year of High School was under his belt to leave a review. He stood on the shoulders of some of the most dedicated teachers and administrators a young person and parents could ever hope for. In every grade he received this year on his way to high honors, I saw the work and caring that went into his St. Pius education. Mr. Fiore is the best principal and the best school administrator I have ever seen in action in all my 53 years. The school embraces it`s Catholic identity and lives by it`s motto: (paraphrased) Doing their best to be their best with the help of God. The teachers are wonderful and every child is made to feel important and cared for. It is a nurturing environment where real learning takes place. Mille grazie, St. Pius!  Submitted by a parent (8/1/09 on Greatschools.net website)

-  My oldest child graduated from St. Pius X 8th grade this year. She had 8 wonderful years at the school. She is well prepared to enter high school academically, spiritually, and socially. My son will enter grade 4 and has already thrived from his early years at St. Pius X. It is a great school. Take the leap! I highly recommend it. Don`t miss out!
Submitted by a parent (7/17/09 on Greatschools.net website)

-  Four foreign languages at an elementary/middle school plus daily religion instruction sold us! What a great school and friendly atmosphere!  Submitted by a parent (4/5/09 on Greatschools.net website)

-  Even though times are tough economically, the quality of education and moral values taught at St. Pius X School are well worth the price of tuition and then some. You can`t put a price on peace of mind.  Submitted by a parent (4/5/09 on Greatschools.net website)