Web Site for School:

http://www.saintandrewonline.com

 

St. Andrew Catholic School,
A 2005 National Blue Ribbon School


Faith~ Love~ Learning


Children from Horry and Georgetown Counties have been coming to St. Andrew Catholic School since 1956. We serve students from Kindergarten through eighth grade, and our school has been long recognized as one of the best educational choices in the area.

Blue Ribbon Excellence
In November of 2005, St. Andrew School was named a Blue Ribbon School by the United States Department of Education. This award culminated a year-long application process and involved a formal nomination by the Council for American Private Education (CAPE) and a lengthy, collaborative self study. The nomination was predicated on the school’s excellent scores on the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills. The students’ average scores for grades 3-8 are within the top 10 percent of schools nationwide. In addition to the high scores, the evaluation committee looked for evidence of exceptional instructional techniques, innovative programs, parental and community involvement, and a balanced extracurricular program. St. Andrew School received high marks in all areas.

This year’s award was given to only 295 schools in the United States. Fifty of those schools are private schools and, of those 50, 37 are Catholic schools. In the state of South Carolina, five schools received the 2005 award; St. Andrew was the only private school in South Carolina to be designated this year.

Academics
Our academic program meets the requirements of both the South Carolina Department of Education and the Catholic Diocese of Charleston. Strong emphasis is placed the basic skills of reading, writing, grammar, math, social studies, and science. Qualifying students may earn high school credit in Algebra I, Spanish I, and computer keyboarding.

Through the efforts of trained specialists, students receive regular instruction in art, music, physical education, Spanish, computer science, and library skills.

A well-developed Accelerated Reader Program has increased library circulation and reading achievement throughout the school.

Faculty
Our faculty of 13 full-time and 2 part-time teachers have all earned education degrees. Several hold advanced degrees, and all faculty members participate in continuing educational endeavors. Our teacher /student ratio is 1 to 25. A full-time teaching assistant helps the regular classroom teacher in both kindergarten and first grade.

Catholic Identity
Instruction in the Catholic faith occurs daily in every grade. Daily prayer, weekly school Mass, and many service opportunities help parents find support in the moral upbringing of their children. The goal is to have the students become aware of their responsibility to lead good Christian lives. Helping people in need is part of our program, and all classes are involved in regular service projects.

Regular service endeavors through this year include:

  • Peanut Butter & Jelly Brigade (Making sandwiches for the Community Kitchen)
  • Food collections for Helping Hand
  • Help for Kids monthly pick-ups
  • Writing letters to parish shut-ins
  • Writing and sending packages to soldiers in Iraq
  • Learning about world hunger issues, sacrificing and saving coins through the Operation Rice Bowl Program
  • Katrina Relief through eighth grade bracelet making activity and sale



Extracurricular Activities
The school provides a variety of extracurricular activities.


Sports
Middle school students may try out for interscholastic sports teams including Coed Soccer, Girls and Boys Basketball, Girls Volleyball, Cheerleading, Coed Golf, and Track.


Clubs & Activities
Student Council Service Club, Children’s Choir, Youth Choir, Math Club, Junior Math Club, Rosary Makers, Chess Club, and Band

Aftercare
We offer an aftercare program for students in grades K-6. Supervised homework time, outdoor play, and snacks are all included. Aftercare ends at 5:30 pm each day.

Volunteer Opportunities
St. Andrew School parents are very generous in volunteering their time and talents. Parents serve on the PTO Board, the School Board, the School Finance Board, the Homeroom Parents Club, and Families Helping Families ( a school family support organization).

Our parents also help to raise funds for the school through several very successful fund-raising events.

  • Taste of the Town is held each fall at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. This food-tasting event draws crowds of more than 5,000 people. Planning and organization for the evening are ongoing throughout the year. In 2006, the event will be held on Tuesday, October 24.
  • Crusader Countdown is scheduled for the month of March. This evening of fun, food, and dancing gives ticket buyers the chance to win $10,000 and other cash prizes. This event is scheduled for March 25, 2006, at Club Boca at Broadway at the Beach.
  • Eighth-grade Trip fund-raising is organized by parents from the class. Usual events include a pancake supper, lunchtime ice cream or bake sales, a wrapping paper sale, and sales of beverages at Taste of the Town.

Updated 2-28-2007