Educating 1,150 PreK-8 students and 30% of total Catholic elementary students in Boston, Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy (SJPIICA) is New England’s largest Catholic elementary school. Founded in 2008, SJPIICA represents the coming-together of seven parish schools into one three-campus academy under a regional director reporting to a lay board of trustees.
SJPIICA offers:
• Renovated facilities including new media centers, libraries, computer and science labs, art/music facilities, and new technology.
• Standardized curriculum for all grade levels across all campuses, with assistance from Boston College, Emmanuel College, Regis College, and Lesley University.
• Improved standards for hiring, assessing, and compensating teachers to attract, develop and retain the most talented and dedicated educators.
• Professional development opportunities, including a Professional Development Institute open to all Catholic school teachers in the Boston area.
• Extended learning with out-of-school programs. Supportive, close-knit space for students to interact, do homework and enroll in activities like tutoring, sports and clubs.
• Talented and gifted programs and a strong middle school Latin/Greek roots program along with enhanced literacy programs.
• Music and Fine Arts instruction: All students receive dedicated instruction in art and music weekly. The violin program at SJPIICA is the largest school-based program in Boston, with all 5th and 6th grade students enrolled in weekly instruction.