Welcome to the website of St. James Elementary School. St. James is a parish Catholic School celebrating its 41st year of service in the diocese of Ogdensburg in Northern New York State. It is staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph and dedicated lay teachers. St. James School welcomes children Pre-K through grade 6 to be a part of its school faith community.
on the east side of Gouverneur. It is about 100 feet from the
intersection of Route 11 and South Gordon Street. All the grades
of St. James School are housed in one building with 8 classrooms, a Math/Reading
lab, a library, a cafeteria, a stage, and a gymnasium.
to provide a quality Catholic education for students to grow
spiritually, academically, socially and physically, in partnership
with their families and in harmony with the specific gifts given by
God to each student.
Mailing Address
St. James School
20 South Gordon Street
Gouverneur, NY 13642
Phone Number: (315) 287-0130
E-Mail St. James School at sschool@twcny.rr.com
Principal---- Sister Ronald Marie, Sister of Saint Joseph
Pastor-------Father Daniel Chapin
Education Council President-----Diane Monroe
St. James School ...
* has a Pre-K through Grade 6 enrollment of approximately 115 students with a student to teacher ratio of approximately 13 to 1.
* maintains a Computer LAN network with 21 IBM compatible computers with Internet access, where students receive daily instruction in the regular classroom.
* students produce scores on standardized achievement tests and on New York State mandated tests that are consistently above the statewide average.
* offers federally funded Title I for Remedial Reading and Math
Programs and limited Reading and Math enrichment opportunities. It utilizes 14
computers for Computer Assisted Instruction.
* maintains a high quality library program.
* provides extracurricular programs in basketball for both
boys and girls in the third through the sixth grade. Also, private piano
lessons are available for students beginning in the 2nd grade.
* benefits from active parental involvement in our educational goals and school activities.
* utilizes textbook and computer aid from New York State and the federal government.
* receives busing for Kindergarten through sixth grade provided by the public school system.
* offers a federally funded Type A hot lunch program.
* offers music, both religious and secular as an integral part
of our student's curriculum.
* maintains a uniform policy.
* has a full size gym with a stage, and a state of the art
outdoor playground.
What is the Tuition at St. James School?
The Education Council determines tuition on a yearly basis . The Council bases its decision after looking at a per pupil cost and parish support.
Is there Financial Aid at St. James School?
Financial Aid is available to students who qualify. No child will be denied the opportunity to attend St. James due to lack of financial means if the parents make their needs known and are willing to work with the principal and pastor. St. James School is fortunate to have received a $10,000 Kramer Foundation Grant for qualified families in the 2001-2002 school year and will continue in proceeding years. In addition, St. James received almost $9,000 from the annual diocesan Bishops Fund for Tuition Assistance for qualified students at St. James School. Tuition Assistance is based on need only. Anyone who wishes to apply for financial assistance should contact Sister Ronald, the Principal, or Father Dan, the pastor. Application procedures are absolutely confidential.
Are the teachers New York State certified/qualified?
All of our teachers have excellent qualifications. The combined teaching experience of our staff is 155 years. They all have Baccalaureate degrees. Currently, 60 % have a Masters Degree or equivalent.
Do you have to be Catholic to attend St. James School?
No, it is not necessary to be Catholic. Over 40% of our student population is not Catholic.
Is there busing to and from St. James School?
If you live within a 15-mile radius of the school, the public school district in which you live provides busing.
Are there opportunities for parents to be involved in the school?
There are a number of events, which depend on the parent's involvement: fund raisers, sports programs, book fairs, craft show, Catholic Schools Week activities, classroom projects and field trips.
Is your school racially mixed?
Yes, we do not discriminate based on race, color, creed or gender. We currently have a student population that is representative of the various ethnic and cultural background of the Gouverneur area.
St. James School has been serving Catholic families in the Gouverneur area since September 1960, when three Sisters of St. Joseph arrived in town to teach first, second and third grades. The original school had 90 students.
A grade a year was added to the school until 1965 when there were eight grades. A Kindergarten class was added in 1972 followed by a Pre-K in 1984.
The peak year for student enrolment was in 1968 when 253 students were attending St. James School. At that time there were 7 Sisters of St. Joseph and one lay teacher at the school.
The ground breaking for St. James was April 19, 1960. The architect was Maurice Finnegan, Jr. and the General Contractor was William F. Morely Sons.
Mrs. Manning is the Pre-K and Pre School teacher at St. James School. She has been teaching at St. James for two years. She graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Northern Colorado. Mrs. Manning was a substitute teacher for 5 years prior to coming to St. James.
Mrs. Manning is married to Lonnie Manning. They have a cat named Napoleon and a dog named George. She is a member of the Kiwanis and the United Methodist Women Unit. Mrs. Manning enjoys stamping and reading in her free time.
Mrs. Garner has been a teacher at St. James school for 30 years. Mrs. Garner was recently recognized as the Teacher of the Year in the Diocese of Ogdensburg. She has a Bachelors Degree from Syracuse University and a Masters in Education from SUNY at Cortland. Prior to coming to St. James, Mrs. Garner taught at Split Rock Elementary School in Syracuse for 4 1/2 years.
Sister Ronald has taught and been the administrator at St. James for the last 21 years. She has an Associates Degree from Canton ATC, a Bachelors Degree in Education from Villa Maria College in Erie Pennsylvania, and a Masters Degree in Education from Niagara University. Prior to coming to St. James, Sister Ronald taught grades 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 at various Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Ogdensburg.
Mrs. Weldon has been teaching at St. James for 13 years. She has a Bachelors Degree in Mathematics Education from State University of New York at Potsdam. She was substitute teacher and a tutor for Gouverneur Central Schools for several years before coming to St. James.
Mrs. Cloonan has been at St. James for the last 27 years. She has a Bachelors Degree from Potsdam State and a Masters Degree from SUNY Potsdam.
Mrs. Sternisha has been teaching at St. James for 15 years. She has a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education from State University of New York at Plattsburg. She has worked in a nursery school and a library teacher assistant.
Sister Jane teaches 1/2 day at St. James School. She teaches religion for Grade 3 and 4. In addition, she teaches Social Studies for Grade 4. Sister has taught at St. James for 15 years. She has a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education from the College of St. Rose in Albany, NY. She also has a Masters degree in Elementary Education from Potsdam State.
Miss Lillie has taught at St. James for 29 years. She has a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education from SUNY Oswego and got her permanent teacher certification with 30 graduate hours from Potsdam State. She taught one year at Sacred Heart in Watertown and has worked as a weekend Library Clerk at Jefferson Community College for the last 10 years.
Ms. Sweet has taught at St. James for about 2 years. She hold a Bachelors Degree from St. Lawrence University and a Masters Degree in Education from Nazareth College. She is currently working towards another Masters Degree in Reading from SUNY Potsdam.
Ms. Johnson has been at St James School for the last year. She has been giving private music lessons for the past 20 years and has instituted the new music program at St. James School. She is a member of the North Country Music Teachers Association and has received private piano instruction at SUNY Potsdam.
Copyright (c) 2002 St. James School. All rights reserved. Website design by Frank Bush. Website maintained by the sixth grade class at St. James.