Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Through the context of STEAM and Project-Based Learning, St. Paul Catholic School ensures that all students are mastering the content area standards developed by the Diocese of Columbus.  The Diocese of Columbus' Courses of Study mirror Ohio's Learning Standards, and the curriculum is reviewed and revised on a rotating basis.
  
  For more information, please visit Our Academic Program.

STEAM stands for (S) Science, T(Technology),  E(Engineering),  A(Art), and M(Mathematics).

The State of Ohio Department of Education recognized St. Paul School as an Ohio Designated STEAM School in the spring of 2019.  At the time of designation, St. Paul was one of only 65 public and private schools across the state of Ohio to receive this honor.  St. Paul is the first STEAM school in the Diocese of Columbus, and only the third non-public school to receive STEAM designation statewide.

STEAM designation is a joint effort of the Ohio Department of Education, the Ohio STEM Learning Network, and Battelle Memorial Institute. The Ohio STEM Committee is a panel of policymakers, agency directors, and business leaders that reviews applications for state designation as an Ohio STEM school. Extra requirements regarding the arts and humanities must be met by schools applying for the STEAM designation.

Being a STEAM school is truly a team effort.  The St. Paul faculty has welcomed STEAM elements into the curriculum. Teachers accept the goals, purpose, and use of the STEAM lab/makerspace as part of their teaching.  Students adopt the growth mindset and the Engineering Design Process and come to the STEAM Lab to collaborate, communicate, and create. The St. Paul STEAM Advisory Board offers strong support, and our community partnerships are key to acquiring this designation. All these factors combined to meet the standards set by the Ohio STEM committee. 

Find out more about our academic program.

Our official school day starts at 7:50 AM and ends at 2:40 PM.  Parents may drop-off students beginning at 7:30 AM.

K-8 Tuition Fees for the 2023-2024 School Year

• Parishioner Rate - $6,300
• Non-Parishioner Rate - $8,200

Apply for two different types of tuition assistance through one application. The application and all documentation are due by March 15th.  These applications are available online starting November 1st at this link. No late applications will be accepted. See our tuition page for all information required to apply. 

Tuition Assistance Types:
- Diocesan FACTS Tuition Assistance
- Parish Tuition Assistance (for St. Paul parishioners) 

Please visit our New Student Registration Page for information about registration.

St. Paul welcomes and invites students and families of all backgrounds to register for our school.  When a class is at its size capacity, the following enrollment priorities will be observed:

• Siblings of current students

• St. Paul Parishioners

• Catholic Non-Parishioner

• Non-Catholic

We encourage all interested Catholic families to apply and experience our vibrant Catholicity; however, we welcome students and families of all faiths and backgrounds.  We do not require students or families to be Catholic, but we do ask all families to partner with us in developing young women and men of virtue and moral character.

• Yes, we have an After School Enrichment program (A.C.E) available for students in grades K-6. 

• Separate tuition from the school

• Waiting list is on a first-come, first-serve basis.

• Nancy Rybak, Co-Director & Kristin Meder, Co-Director 614-882-2326

• Our preschool program also offers aftercare for our students.  For more information about our preschool program, visit this link.  Preschool Program

• Westerville - Welcome Center - 614-797-7700

• Big Walnut - 740-965-8967

• Olentangy - 740-657-4387

• Columbus - 614-365-5074

Yes, we do have daycare busses who drop off & pick up, but not all. You will need to confirm with the daycare provider you are using.

We provide a variety of enrichment activities and clubs including Spanish Club, Robotics Club, 3-D Printing Club, Code Club, Sew Loved (sewing club for charity), Chess Club, Choir in grades 4th-8th, Jazz Band, Bible Study, and Power of the Pen.

Check out our student life page for more information.

• We have multiple classrooms for every grade level 1-8.

• We have four Preschool, Kindergarten, 1st, 5th, and 6th grade classrooms.

• We have three 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 7th and 8th grade classrooms

• We have a maximum class size of 35 students.

• We average around 30 students per class.

• Kdg. classes have a maximum of 27 students.  We average around 26 students per class.

• Pre-School classes have a maximum of 24 students.

• Yes, Kindergarten-3rd Grade has a full-time paraprofessional.

• Grades 4-8 have one/two paraprofessionals shared between the classrooms.

• Girls K-3 wear a blue plaid jumper, or skort, Navy Blue pants or shorts (Seasonal)

               Blouse, polo shirt - white or light blue - short or long sleeves

• Girls K-5 wear a blue plaid jumper, Navy Blue pants or shorts(Seasonal)

               Blouse, polo shirt - white or light blue - short or long sleeves

• Boys K-5 Navy Blue pants or shorts(Seasonal)

                polo shirt - white or light blue - short or long sleeves

• Girls 6-8 Solid Navy Jumper, Khaki/Navy pants or shorts (Seasonal)

               Blouse, polo shirt - white or light blue - short or long sleeves

• Boys 6-8 Khaki/Navy pants or shorts (Seasonal)

               Polo shirt - white or light blue - short or long sleeves

• Please see additional uniform code at this link 

Yes, we have a full cafeteria which provides lunch daily for grades K-8.  Check out the lunch menu!

Homeroom teachers communicate frequently with families using weekly newsletters, and parents are encouraged to reach out to teachers to schedule conferences if needed.  There are parent teacher conferences each fall.

St. Paul sends out a weekly "Ram Report" newsletter with all of the current happenings, events, and announcements to keep you in the know.

St. Paul uses an "email blast" system and a text messaging protocol for important and urgent messages.

As of September 2023, St. Paul Catholic School has a total of 881 Preschool-8th grade students enrolled.

After the 8th graders graduate they go on to attend a variety of high schools in the area. They can attend St. Francis DeSales Catholic High School or the boys can attend St. Charles Preparatory School. Both of these schools are in Columbus. Other options include the Westerville High Schools, Big Walnut High School, and the Olentangy High Schools.