About Our School
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IntroductionJoin our Community at St. Theresa Catholic School
A Blue Ribbon School
St. Theresa Catholic School has been honored as a 2023 National Blue Ribbon School, a prestigious recognition awarded by the U.S. Department of Education. Among the select few schools chosen each year, St. Theresa is one of only 40 non-public schools nationwide and the sole recipient in Austin for 2023.
Academic Excellence
Our students consistently excel, scoring in the top 15% nationally on the Iowa Test of Basic Skills and the Northwest Evaluation Association assessments for the past eight years.
Athletics for All
Our inclusive, no-cut athletic department begins in 1st grade, offering 8 sports that compete with 14 local private schools. We have a dedicated full-time Athletic Director and Assistant Athletic Director. Additionally, our after-school enrichment programs introduce sport options starting from Pre-K.
Meet Our Exceptional Educators
At St. Theresa Catholic School, our dedicated teachers bring an average of 17 years of teaching experience to their classrooms, ensuring a rich and seasoned educational environment for our students. Our school principal, with 30 years of Catholic Education experience, is entering his 5th year leading our school, fostering a nurturing and academically rigorous atmosphere.
Optimal Class Sizes
We maintain small class sizes, capping at 22 students per classroom in our elementary grades, with aides supporting in Kindergarten and 1st grade.
Community and Faith
We are a close-knit, faith-based community supported by engaged parents and a dedicated staff.
Commitment to Safety
Our campus is equipped with 70 AI-enhanced security cameras, triple secured entry points, and a full-time armed security guard. Nestled on 22 acres surrounded by a greenbelt in scenic NW Hills, we prioritize the safety and well-being of our students.
Comprehensive Student Services
We provide robust student support with two full-time Learning Specialists, a full-time Social Emotional Counselor, and a full-time School Nurse.
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St. Theresa
St. Therese of Lisieux, "The Little Flower"
Therese Martin was born in Alecon, France in 1873. She was a brave and deeply spiritual girl who sought early entry into the Carmelite convent at the age of 13. She was denied entry due to her young age, but was later granted entrance at the age of 15. For nine years Therese lived a simple, obedient life, practicing her "Little Way" of loving and trusting in God. Although suffering from tuberculosis, she wrote a short autobiography, The Story of a Soul.
She died at the age of 24 and her simple book was translated into many languages. It became popular for showing that even without great deeds a person could achieve sanctity. She was canonized in 1925 by Pope Pius XI, made Patron of Missions in 1927, and declared a Doctor of the Church in 1997. Her feast day is October 1.
Our Charism: Her "Little Way"
Charism is the unique spiritual gift, or spiritual culture, that a saint or community embraces and exudes. St. Theresa's "Little Way" is her spiritual gift to the world and is embraced by St. Theresa Catholic School as our charism. The "Little Way" is a way of life that is centered around doing small things with great love.
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accreditation
St. Theresa Catholic School is accredited through the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops - Education Department under the governance of the Diocese of Austin.
Approved by the Texas Education Agency
Accredited by AdvancED
NCEA - National Catholic Educational AssociationSt. Theresa Catholic School is guided by the Diocese of Austin under the direction of the Diocesan Office of Catholic Schools.
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history
Early 1980s: St. Theresa Catholic Church recognizes a need to provide a Catholic education to its children.
1983: Planning begins for an elementary school, under the direction of Msgr. Richard McCabe.
1986: St. Theresa Catholic School opens its doors with a total of 38 students in Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten and 1st grade. Additional grades are added in subsequent years.
1993: The school receives full accreditation by the Texas Catholic Conference Education Department.
1995: Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten expand to include a second section, with upper grades expanding in subsequent years.
2003: The education building is renovated to provide space for five new classrooms and a large library. The school expands to better serve middle school students by offering 7th grade.
2004: The school provides a complete middle school education by offering 8th grade.
2005: A second section of 8th grade is offered, completing the school’s expansion.
2011: Fall enrollment numbers are near capacity and St. Theresa Catholic School celebrates its 25th Anniversary!2013: STCS continues to celebrate strong enrollment in PK – 8th grade. St. Theresa intermediate and middle school students move into the new Education Building, Elmer Hall.
2019: The Little Flower Catholic Academy established with a new PK-3 program.
2022: Celebrating 35 years of Catholic education at our school! -
mission
The mission of St. Theresa Catholic School is to develop all students to their full potential by educating them in a Catholic and academically excellent environment, preparing them to share God’s love through a life of faith and service.
Vision: Building the next generation of Catholic leaders by fostering each child's God-given gifts for a lifetime of knowledge, wisdom, service, and faith.
STCS Philosophy Statement- We believe St. Theresa Catholic School and Parish are one community, one Body of Christ, and that we thrive together through collaboration as unified disciples in Christ.
- We believe Gospel values and the teachings of the Catholic faith provide a strong foundation for a meaningful and virtuous life.
- We believe each child is called to a divine purpose as a unique creation of God.
- We believe liturgical rhythms and spiritual traditions of the Catholic Church enrich and sustain the lives of our children and community.
- We believe our research-based, best practice model of education challenges and supports students to develop their unique abilities in a caring environment where they will flourish spiritually, morally, culturally, intellectually, socially, and physically.
- We believe academic foundations we build allow our students to succeed in high school and college.
- We believe respectful partnerships between students, parents, faculty, and administration is essential for student academic success, spiritual growth, and social-emotional development.
- We believe building, restoring, and maintaining healthy relationships in a Christian atmosphere of care and concern will create a positive school culture.
- We believe a community practicing St. Theresa’s Little Way of love, kindness, and service will transform the hearts of our students for the greater good of the world.
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School ADVISORY Board
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The School Advisory Board ("SAB") consists of eight (8) members appointed by the Principal after approval by the Pastor. No more than three (3) SAB members may be a parent, grandparent or legal guardian of a student attending the school. SAB Members shall either be clergy with facilities in the Diocese of Austin, an Eucharistic minister who is in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church, or a lay individual who is a registered member of a parish in the Diocese of Austin and who is in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church.The SAB serves the Pastor and Principal by providing strategic advice on issues important to the school. The SAB is advisory and does not have a governance role. The SAB may make recommendations to the Pastor and Principal on strategic issues.Pastor, Rev. Larry Covington
School Advisory Board MembersPrincipal Brian WheelerSuperintendent Misty Poe
Chair, Ramsey Abarca
Jennifer Kirsch
Helen Weekley
Don McPhee
Dan TealDean ApplingEx-Officio Members
PTO President Alice BolanerFaculty Representative Erin Reaves
Pastoral Council President Mark Santos
Parish COO Chris Treadaway
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