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A word from our students
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Testimonials
December 2019
---We chose St Germaine because we feel the closeness of family and community. Parents and teachers take an active role in our child’s development and education, as well as community and spiritual upbringing.
---St. Germaine provides a kind and loving family atmosphere that any parent would feel comfortable sending their child there!
---Our family has chosen St Germaine because it’s a group of wonderful Catholic people that protect and teach my child so she can grow into a respectful person.
--- We love the small classroom sizes!
---We chose St. Germaine because we love the smaller class sizes and the sense of community. We also feel that our children are truly cared for and safe here. Also, involving faith in our children’s education is important to us.
---We are thrilled with St. Germaine. I could not imagine sending our children anywhere else. At St. Germaine, education goes beyond just academics. The staff is approachable and they do an excellent job. My children love their teachers. The other children and their families are amazing. It is truly community, in every sense of the word.
---We decided to send our son to St. Germaine Catholic School last year to start 1 st grade and we couldn’t be more pleased. The staff, especially Mrs. Latessa was very informative, helpful and welcoming during our transition. Our son was warmly welcomed by all of his classmates and we immediately knew that this is where he belongs. The smaller class sizes allow for more individualized attention which we feel is important and everyone is treated like family. We are proud to be a part of the St. Germaine Family!
--- "My daughter Ava absolutely loves the teachers at St. Germaine! She says they are always helpful and that she has fun while learning. As a parent, I love the Christian based education that she receives at St. Germaine. Also, the smaller class sizes allow for a more personal learning experience, which I think is a real benefit. The St. Germaine Catholic School community really makes everyone, students and parents alike, feel like a part of one big family!"
---The teachers at St. Germaine are the reason we love it here! Our children are in the greatest hands from pre-school through 8th grade. The staff is exceptional as well. We could not ask for a better experience for our children!
---Miles says it’s because he loves all the teachers and they are all so nice. He says he thinks of Mrs. Beckmon as “sort of Step Mom and his friends are his cousins”.
---Three years ago I became part of the St. Germaine/Our Lady of Hope family. I am blessed to teach in an environment where God is first. Our students and staff are incredibly welcoming to all. It is not just a school but truly a home away from home.
Mrs. Esler, 4 th grade homeroom
---I have taught in various different communities throughout my teaching career, including other Catholic schools. Now in my fourth year at St. Germaine, I can honestly say it is hands-down the most academically and spiritually focused, family oriented, welcoming, kind community, that I have ever had the pleasure of being associated with!
Mrs. “M” 3 rd grade teacher
---St. Germaine is more than I could have ever imagined. The curriculum is challenging and exciting. The feeling you get when you walk in is family, we love St. Germaine!
---When our son was ready for pre-school, we had a choice of where to send him and we chose St. Germaine Catholic School. From day 1, we knew in our hearts that it was absolutely the best decision for him! The staff and students are outstanding. The teachers give the students many ways to learn that works best for them, as well as genuinely knowing and loving each student. We cannot recommend St. Germaine enough!
---We chose St. Germaine after a visit and a recommendation from another parent. We loved the community feel and the strong faith component. Both of our boys have flourished here academically, socially, and in their faith formation. The teachers, principal, and staff really know each kid and go above and beyond to make sure they are not only educated, but cared for as children of God. We couldn't be happier with our St. Germaine experience and often recommend others join us!
---Attending St. Germaine, your child will not just be at an incredible school for academics, but will find a family. Lifelong friendships and a group of children who support and look out for one another. And as a parent, you will find a family as well. Thanks to the office staff, support staff, and every one of the teachers, there is never a doubt in our mind that our son is safe, secure, and protected, while in their care. We tried other schools for our son, but none of them could compare to the experience we have had at St. Germaine. He is thriving in his education beyond what we could have ever imagined. Making the choice of St. Germaine will be a decision you will never regret.
---My daughter first started to attend St. Germaine’s for the little learners/toddler time program. I was amazed by Ms Laureen’s commitment to educating and caring nature towards my child, who wasn’t even officially her student. When observing other preschool programs, St. Germaine’s was, hands down, where I wanted my daughter to be. 4 months into 3 year old preschool and I am continuing to see my daughter flourish and grow. Catholic based, quality education is what you’ll get at St. Germaine’s. We couldn’t be happier.
--- I like the small community, family feel of St Germaine. I love that I can feel comfortable letting my kids interact with the parents of their friends because I know them. There aren’t a lot of “strangers” at this school because it’s so tight knit!
That is a great feeling in today’s world!
---St. Germaine isn’t just a school, it’s a community. When you send your child to school everyday, you feel confident that they are being taught by someone who cares for them and truly wants them to succeed. Additionally, our children are supported by a network of parents who help coach, volunteer and guide our children. When you join St. Germaine you join our family!
--- We chose St Germaine because we feel the closeness of family and community. Parents and teachers take an active role in our child’s development and education, as well as community and spiritual upbringing.June 2019
-Enghauser family (parents of college aged, high school and middle school sons)
--- Our journey at St. Germaine began 12 years ago with a referral from a friend and a phone call to a faculty member, Sarah Chetcuti. Mrs. Chetcuti is still there and so are we. Both of my boys started 3 year old preschool atSt. Germaine. With all of the anxiety of your child’s first days of school, we were very nervous as you could imagine. Is this where we want to be? Could we afford Catholic school? Will they fit in, meet friends? How are the teachers? On the first day, we met the most wonderful preschool teacher you could imagine, “Miss Laureen” Krausman. We knew that first week that this is where we needed and wanted to be. We would find a way to afford it and make it work. Through the years and with each teacher we met, we felt so comfortable and thankful. Each one has been as welcoming and dedicated to our children as the next. Both of my boys have thrived every step of the way and were guided through any bumps in the road that they may have encountered. I think it says a lot that much of the same staff is still in place today and even when some have moved on or retired, our principal Mrs. Degrez has found the next right piece to move into place.
We were worried we wouldn’t find enough extracurricular activity options like other schools could offer. St. Germaine has so much more than we imagined! Whether it be student council, sports, band, altar serving, after school enrichment programs, youth choir, Dreamweavers, and more, there is something for every child to broaden their horizons.
Fast forwarding to today, my oldest son Collin has graduated from St. Germaine. He left as a Junior National Honor Society member, Student Council President, altar server and band member. He is currently at DeLaSalle High School where he is taking honors classes with no problem. My youngest son Brennan is still at St. Germaine in the 7th grade. Brennan is also a Junior National Honors Society member, plays basketball, altar server, and former student council member. It is amazing how much they have accomplished and grown both academically and spiritually.
The last 12 years have gone by quickly but looking back, we wouldn’t change a thing. I am confident that St. Germaine has enriched my sons and set them on the right path to be successful, well prepared young men in the future. Academics is certainly paramount but just as important, they have developed into polite, respectful, caring young men and we owe so much of that growth to their Catholic education at St. Germaine.
- The Urbas Family
---When making the decision of which school to send our oldest daughter to a few years ago, we visited many different local schools. After our very first visit to St. Germaine Catholic School, we knew exactly where our daughter would be attending. St. Germaine has a family atmosphere like no other school. We were always worried about sending our daughter off to school. She would be away from us for the first time ever, for hours at a time. Having her at St. Germaine alleviated every possible concern we had ever had. Everyone from the office staff and principal, to the teachers, after school program staff and even other families, have a great sense of community, caring and loving attitudes and a commitment to God. We now have two children attending St. Germaine and could not be happier with our decision. St. Germaine really is a school like no other. Our children are learning in a safe and loving environment and both receive individual attention with the small class sizes. All of the teachers at St. Germaine are simply amazing. They really do care about their students. They even frequently attend sporting events for our children outside of school hours! Parent involvement at St. Germaine is also wonderful. Our family has gotten to know so many people who all look out for our daughters. There is nothing easy about choosing a school for your children and having our daughters at St. Germaine is without a doubt, the best decision we could have made for them.
--- I was new to St. Clair Shores at the time I interviewed all private schools in the area. I asked for a tour of the school, the Iowa test scores and of course the cost of tuition. Some schools were reluctant to talk about their test scores. However, Mrs. Degrez & St. Germaine teachers at the time were both happy to talk about the scores and proud to say that we are above the rest. They also showed me what the kids did in preschool, learning Spanish, already, cutting, pasting & much more in a short period of time while having fun & enjoying themselves. I also observed how kind and polite the children were there. (A parent can teach only so much at home). I do not take and know that I can not take all of the credit for my boys' politeness. Finally, once I found out that the tuition cost of St. G was lower than the rest it was a no brainer. I could go on & on but I feel that these are the most valid points. Feel free to ask other parents on their honest opinions. But then again, w hy listen to complete strangers, c ome and see for yourself.-Parent of a high school freshman and a seventh grader
---St. Germaine provides a kind and loving family atmosphere that any parent would feel comfortable sending their child there!
--- Our family has chosen St Germaine because it’s a group of wonderful catholic people that protect and teach my child so she can grow into a respectful person.
--- We love the small classroom sizes!-Jennette Haxter
"St Germaine was the best decision I made for my children's education! We were there from preschool until 8th grade graduation. The teachers and staff are our extended family. They made me a better parent, gave my children confidence & a wonderful community to grow up in faith. We were blessed to be there!"Katie JohnstoneOctober 2018
Savannah D. St. Germaine Class of 2015It is so comforting to know St. Germaine continues to be there for you even after you graduate, like myself. Throughout my high school years I have always felt I could ask for help or go back to the people who have taught me my faith from such a young age. St. Germaine is and always will be such a comfort to me, as I hope it is for others.
August 2018
The choice to enroll our children in St.Germaine late into the school year was not an easy one. Our children had been attending our neighborhood school since kindergarten. They had plenty of friends, we were active in the school, they had caring teachers. But as the year progressed we could see that what they were lacking was the faith based education I had been privileged to have as a child. Although they attended catechism every Monday in our parish and we regularly attend Mass, it was clear that this wasn’t enough. Our children began to get lost in the daily hustle and bustle of 25+ students in a classroom as the year progressed. By January, we decided we needed to make a change for the upcoming school year. We attended St. Germaine’s open house during Catholic Schools Week and by the end of the tour my daughter was begging to start that Monday---my son wasn’t completely ready for this but by the end of the week he wanted to start ASAP. After several heart to hearts at what this might really look like to leave this late in the school year it was clear that for our family, leaving the only school they had ever known was the best thing to do. We made the leap and our children enrolled in March. I think a lot of people thought we were crazy. Why leave so close to the end of the year? Why not just stick out for those last three months? Because St.Germaine is a little gem that more people need to discover. Because the teachers are invested in knowing who their students are. Because Mrs.Latessa remembered our family before we even started on the first day of school--in March! Because a faith based education not only teaches the virtues of life but how to navigate around the vices of life too. Because at St. Germaine your child will be known by every adult and every parent and every child he or she encounters. Because Your Child Matters
August 2018
We chose St. Germaine because we knew our son would have the best chance at thriving in a caring, Catholic-based, small-classroom setting, where teachers get to know him and his personality, as well as his academic abilities. He absolutely loves school and the sense of community and family that St. Germaine provides...and so do we!
We chose St. Germaine because it just felt like the perfect fit when we attended the Open House. I loved that kindness and strong character is such a huge part of St. Germaine’s teaching and the small size is also very appealing- everyone knows each other and looks out for each other.
We also felt immediately comfortable with the preschool teacher, Miss Laureen, especially since she remembered Luke’s dad from when he went to school there many years ago! And we of course loved our kindergarten teacher! J It helped so much with Luke’s (and ours lol) initial apprehension about being on his own.
The buddy program is also something that I really like. It’s great that the older kids are encouraged to look out for the younger kids and act as mentors. The younger kids get such a kick out of that.
We are still extremely pleased about our decision to send Luke to St. Germaine.
St Germaine is giving our children a great mix of religion and academic excellence we love St Germaine!!!!!
May 2018My daughter had been struggling nearly every year in school. At multiple conferences I was told that she was unorganized but they would follow that statement with how sweet she was and that they sometimes “forgot that she needed help.” She was in the lowest reading group, the lowest spelling group and was frustrated. At home she read perfectly fine and also seemed to comprehend the homework. Placement was also tied into the Standardized Testing which was done on mini-tablets.
I heard of St. Germaine from my sister, who toured the school when my nephew started Kindergarten and spoke highly of her experience. All through my daughters 4 th grade year we had the same problems. I knew the teachers were doing their best but the class sizes were just too big. By spring break I had enough and we called St. Germaine. She spent the day shadowing the classroom the following week, she felt tremendously comfortable. The tuition is very affordable, costs no more than standard day care. There is one classroom per grade and smaller class sizes. It is so pleasant to call the office and have the person on the other line take the time to help any way they can. The staff makes you feel like an extension of your own family.
This year our daughter made the Honor Roll. As parents we wonder if we are doing the right thing. I knew that day as she ran to the car waiving her report card with a smile on her face that without a doubt we did the right thing!
The attention the teachers and staff give along with their faith and knowledge are priceless. Our daughter feels like it is her home away from home.
Words cannot effectively describe how happy we are with St. Germaine.May 2018Saint Germaine Catholic School students experience God’s grace and presence in their lives through their encounters and relationships with friends, teachers, and Father Jim Bjorum. Their successes are a commitment to a Christian virtue instilled environment.March 2018
The student body is aware that they have a responsibility to treat everyone with kindness and respect because we are all part of God’s family.
Extracurricular and athletic programs lend themselves to a well-balanced education through mind, body, and spirit.
Saint Germaine Catholic School has leadership that cares. Saint Germaine emphasizes and fosters an environment that strengthens student character, moral compass, and empathy for others. In other words, values that are crucial pieces in developing caring and community minded individuals that strive to make a difference in the world.
RCIA - St. Germaine School - Ellen Licavoli
Two 4th grade students from St. Germaine School will be baptized at the Easter vigil on Saturday, March 31st. I must say that I have been so impressed with their knowledge of the Faith! Last year as well, we had six children from our school and religious education program that became Catholic - all eager to learn and become Catholic.
I have also been impressed with all the students at our school. For example, when passing them in the hallways, they are so courteous. Ay daily Mass they are quiet and reverent throughout the Mass, taking holy water and genuflecting as they come in. I have also been so impressed with their science projects in the Fr. Lenk Hall, and even listened in as one student did a masterful job of explaining his class project to the rest of the group present.
I would like to commend our principal, Mrs. DeGrez, and the teachers and assistants who are doing such an excellent job at teaching not only the Faith, but also teaching the students how to be good citizens and eager learners. We can't forget Mrs. Latessa! We have so much to be proud of in our school!
January 2018
Message received from a parent whose daughter is now a freshman in high school:
I wanted to share with you xxx’s report card and exam grades (all A's) from St. Francis in Traverse City. I am so thankful and attribute everything to St. Germaine School. Academically, she was prepared to attend one of the top 50 High Schools nationally and achieve such great excellence. When I met the teachers at conference they were impressed and said that her previous school has done an excellent job with her education! Big thank you to you and to all the staff at St. Germaine including Mrs. Latessa. Keep up the great work! Miss you all!
December 2017
I worked three hours at the Santa shop this morning, and I loved every second of it. It was the preschool and kindergarten classes. Cuteness overload! I spoke with the mom of a new family, her son is in fourth grade. She had nothing but amazing things to say about the school and how advanced it is compared to his old school. Just thought I would share because I love when new families are so happy with their decision to come to our school.
Thank you and everyone at St Germaine for helping xxxx fit in at school.
Last year she was really struggling with grades. First quarter at a new school and she is able to feel proud of herself. She is one happy camper!
New parent
November 2017
We love Saint Germaine School and Our Lady of Hope Parish. Thank you for welcoming us!
New parent
November 2017
Dear Principal,
In our church bulletin here in Sylvania, OH there was a section asking for info on past graduates of the St. Joseph school and this made me think of our own experience at St. Germaine school many years ago.
We had four children attend there and thought that maybe you could use your school as a shining example of an excellent grade school education based upon our experience. Our oldest, Janet Schaefer, graduated from St. Germaine in 1971, has an AS degree from Ferris State, an AS in Opthalmic Tech from Louisiana State, and a BS in accounting from Maryland University. She is married with 4 sons and lives in Georgia.
John, a St. Germaine graduate in 1976, received his BS degree in Business Management from Bowling Green State University and has a master's degree in Business Administration, is married with 4 children and lives in Houston, TX.
Jill graduated from St. Germaine in 1978 and received a BSRN from Bowling Green State and Medical College of Ohio. She is married with 2 children and lives here in Sylvania.
Jeffrey graduated from St. Germaine in 1981 and has a BS degree in Welding Engineering from OSU. He lives in Knoxville, TN currently.
We all have fond memories of your school, Fr. Lenk the pastor, and Sisters Adalicia and Corona. We don't want you to think we are bragging, but wanted you to know where an excellent education can lead if obtained from an excellent school such as yours.
With fondest memories,
John and Martha Jo Schaefer
August 30, 2017
February 17, 2017
To the St. Germaine Community of Learners,
STARBASE had the honor to help educate and inspire St. Germaine 5 th grade students with our 25-hour science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) curriculum. As always, St. Germaine students performed wonderfully and are great ambassadors for the school. The learning community at St. Germaine has help maintained a sense of youthful innocence, which is both endearing and refreshing as both a parent and educator. The students are bright, vibrant and sensible in their STEM investigations. The students and teacher have a great rapport and it is easy to tell that the students are cared for by St. Germaine staff. Most importantly, the students genuinely care about each other and that is reflected in their attitude towards learning and life.Mark MuzzinSTARBASEDeputy Director
January 20, 2017
I just had to write you a quick note to tell you how happy we have been with 4th and 5th grade at St. Germaine. These two teachers are amazing, which I am sure you already know. They go above and beyond. I love the setup with the kids switching between the teachers for different subjects and really everything about how they run their classrooms (WAS sheets, money system, their websites/communication, etc). I think this has provided so much benefit for the kids. I am amazed at how much they are learning in each subject as well as becoming more responsible students. I am really looking forward to seeing how much my kids thrive when we move next year because of what they have received from these wonderful teachers and of course everyone at St. Germaine. Thank you!
April 19, 2016:
A note from a visiting 4th grader transferring next year from public school:
"This school is awesome and I am looking forward for next year. St. Germaine is so cool there are a lot of new subjects that I can't wait to do. There is a lot of nice people I want to know more. The teachers are very nice. So I am so happy that I visited this school."
November 17, 2015:
Comment in regards to and following the WIND conference hosted at St. Germaine School/Our Lady of Hope Parish, November 14, 2015
"Congratulations for a job well done by your youth. What I saw was awesome. The youth seemed very prepared, articulate, good eye contact with the audience and knowing their lines without using a script was awesome.
Please convey to them that I appreciated all their hard work and especially yours (Mr. Eric Ruszalla) for being a great leader and mentor to these adolescents. It appeared to be very organized. Thank you for your dedicated call to ministry to disciple the youth that you serve for all of us here at the AOD."
God Bless You,
Ida Johns
November 2015:
"Every year we see students transition into De La Salle Collegiate High School from St. Germaine Catholic School, and every year those students come in well prepared academically, socially, and spiritually. They understand the high level of academic expectations we have, and successfully strive to meet them. That is a direct result of the work the St. Germaine staff and administration put into their students. It has long been a school of focus for De La Salle Collegiate, and I look forward to many more generations of St. Germaine students attending our great school"
~ De La Salle Collegiate High School
November 2015"I would like to thank all teachers who taught xxxx at St Germaine Catholic School.xxxx got his Iowa Assessments and CogAT test scores yesterday. I hope this would make xxxx very happy!!!Thanks to Ms Degrez (Principal), teachers xxxx and Pauline Latessa (Administrative Secretary) for all your support and keen interest for xxxx success.Special thanks from xxxx parents. We know it was possible because of the quality of training xxxx received from St Germaine School. But xxxx, in Plano, TX is a great school as well...
Hope you will continue to pray and bless xxxx.
Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas in Advance!!!
Sept 2015: "
Greetings from XXXX & XXXX from Plano, TX.
I would like to inform you that XXXX and XXXX joined XXXX School in Plano, Texas. Both of them were late by 2 weeks, but started going to school on 08/31".
Once again I wanted to thank St. Germaine. It's because of St. Germaine School and dedicated teachers that my kids are doing so good. We hope they will be repeating the same here as well. School is amazed seeing his TEST scores for 2014-2015. Both are happy and started making friends.
Both my kids are doing GREAT from Day 1.
Please remember us in your prayers".
2015: From a family relocating to Texas:"...XXX and XXX will be missing this GREAT community, but they will have good memories of the school. Our sincere gratitude to St. Germaine Community for taking care of our kids and getting them to where they are now!! Thanks a lot!!!"
Dec. 2014 - a note to STG:
"xxxx is a completely different girl since coming to St. Germaine! For the better! She is challenged in the academic arena, has a whole slew of friends and is really embracing the school experience to the fullest. I can’t begin to thank you, her teachers, and Fr. Jim enough for all that you have done to make her transition a wonderful event. Watching her this year has been like watching a rose bloom a little at the time. I gladly tell everyone how blessed and grateful I am to be at the church that God has led me to! And I’m so very proud to be a Spartan Parent! I wish I had moved sooner so that my sons could have had the St. Germaine School experience as well. They truly missed out in my opinion".
9/10/2014 - a note sent to STG:"I just wanted to take a second to tell you what happened last night at our MEET THE TEACHER night at XXXX.
It was such a proud mommy moment that I had to share! It was also a great tribute to St. Germaine academics.
Every single teacher that we met said that it was no surprise that XXXX was from St. Germaine and that they just love their St. Germaine students. They all stated that students from St. Germaine are the most respectful and well prepared!
XXXX's Algebra teacher even asked our permission to administer a test to test out of the current class and choose something more challenging! That was so wonderful to hear... especially because math wasn't XXXX's strong suit last year. Even with XXXX struggles, XXXX is in position to excel this year :-)
It just makes me feel so blessed to have been able to give XXXX such a good strong foundation at St. Germaine"!
9/11/2014 from a former STG parent:
"I should have sent a message earlier.
XXXX's counselor said St Germaine students are good students and really good kids. ☺
XXXX loves the new challenges, and friends, soccer, teachers,.. happy that St Germaine helped give him this confidence over 9 years of Catholic teaching (with God all is possible). What a fantastic investment for your child: St Germaine and Mrs. Degrez ♥♥"
10/6/2014 from a former STG parent:
"XXXX is doing great at Parkway & he loves it there. I would just like to remind you that you are running a fantastic school. XXXX is one of the very few in his Freshman class that placed into Honors English & Spanish 2. I was told that most new students at Parkway DO NOT place in the advanced classes, & that they are for kids who "are serious about learning". XXXX was only lucky enough to have 3 years at St. Germaine. I am looking forward to seeing how far advanced his Sisters will be as they start High School with 6 & 9 years respectively between them, of a St. Germaine education.God bless you and your Staff- & thank you for all that you do".
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What we offer
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2019 IOWA Testing Results
This year grades 3, 5, and 7 took the Iowa Test of Basic Skills. As a whole class, all grades scored at or above average in all subjects nationally ! National percentile ranks (NPR) are based on over 200,000 students tested per grade level. A percentile score of 50 is considered average (the bell curve), anything above 50 is “above the national average.”
Grade equivalents (GE) are also reported for each test area in decimal form, such as 4.8. A measure of 4.8 is interpreted as a typical score expected of a fourth grader at the end of their eighth month of school. At the time our IOWA tests were administered, a fifth grader’s test scores would be considered AT level with a grade equivalency score of 5.1.
Our seventh grade class composite score of 8.3 means that as a whole class combined they tested equivalent to what would be expected of an eighth grader at the end of their third month of school!
Here are some of our subject area highlights (grade equivalents) as a class overall:
- Third grade Written Expression and Science is 4.6, Social Studies scores are 5.0 and Word Analysis if 5.1
- Fifth grade Social Studies is 7.2, Convention of Writing is 7.5 and Vocabulary is 7.9
- ALL Seventh grade subject area scores are 7.6 and above! Science is 9.1, Written Expression is 9.3 and Conventions of Writing is 11.6!
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