Instill Roman Catholic identity, reverence for the sacraments and a lifelong commitment to joyful discipleship;
Enrich students by fostering academic excellence and providing opportunities that nurture and challenge all to reach their full potential;
Develop, with parents, the moral compass that guides students to serve with Jesus Christ as their model.
The vision of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School is to guide the mind, body, and spirit of the next generation of Catholic leaders to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ as beacons of light to the world.
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School, in partnership with parents, is focused on the continuous formation of the whole Christian person. Our learner-centered curriculum maintains high academic standards and nurtures the development of a life-long love of learning. Students are actively engaged through the use of a variety of instructional methods and emerging technologies that promote collaboration and higher level thinking skills. Within a welcoming, Christ-centered environment, students are made aware of their role as members of the Christian community through the teaching of Catholic doctrine, participation in liturgy and worship, preparation for the sacraments and involvement in service projects. Members of our school community are encouraged to live as Disciples of Christ, serving all people by sharing the gifts and talents received from God.
Our parish and school are named after St. Anthony of Padua.
He is one of the most loved and admired saints in the Catholic Church. St. Anthony is most often depicted holding the baby Jesus for legend has it that Jesus, in His infant form, appeared to St. Anthony while he was in his room praying. He was made a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XII in 1946. He first joined the Augustinian Order and then left it and joined the Franciscan Order. He became a Franciscan because of the death of five Franciscans in Morocco, in North Africa. St. Anthony wanted to profess the Catholic Faith with his mind and his heart, at every moment.
St. Anthony of Padua is known as the patron saint of lost articles. St. Anthony of Padua was canonized less than one year after his death.
St. Anthony of Padua Parish was founded on June 3, 1997. Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza issued the challenge of establishing a new church community and school to serve the needs of Catholic families in The Woodlands, Texas.
Under the leadership of Msgr. George Sheltz, Pastor, the parish took seriously the challenge to open a Catholic school and work began to complete a feasibility study, seek approval from the Archdiocesan Board of Education and write the school’s mission statement.
In September 2000, Renee’ Nunez was hired as the school’s founding principal. She along with the Education Council worked to develop the school’s philosophy, and governing polices. A staff was hired in the spring of 2001 and the doors opened for students on August 16, 2001. Enrollment has grown from 138 in 2001 to close to 500.
In August 2005, the school’s operations moved into a permanent home . A gymnasium, stage, specialty classrooms, computer lab, library/media center, clinic, classroom projection systems, enrichment programs, services, and activities for students. New athletic fields were constructed in the fall of 2006 and dedicated during National Catholic Schools Week 2007.
2007 was marked as the year that SAOPCS became a fully accredited school with the Texas Catholic Conference Education Department, TCCED. Just a few years later, in 2012, the young 10-year old school was named as the first Catholic school in the area to receive recognition as a United States Department of Education Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. In 2013, the school received dual accreditation through AdvancED.
Come, St. Anthony of Padua,
guide us in our youth
strengthen us in faith
enlighten us in truth.
As we are united in the Eucharist,
enriched in sacraments of love,
through honor, integrity, and excellence,
may we bring glory to God above.
WE WILL SING A SONG OF LOVE
WE WILL SING OF GOD’S OWN GRACE.
WE WILL SING A JOYFUL SONG OF HOW
WE LEARN IN THIS HOLY PLACE
OH WE PRAY TO DEAR ST. ANTHONY
TO GUIDE US ON OUR WAY.
TO HEAVEN’S GATES ETERNALLY
AS WE LEARN TO LOVE AND PRAY.
ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA
OUR SCHOOL WE LOVE SO TRUE.
MAY WE GROW THROUGH FAITH
AND WORKS EACH DAY
WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU.
THROUGH JESUS IN THE EUCHARIST,
OUR FOOD TO GROW AND LIVE.
WE WILL READ AND WRITE AND PLAY AND SING
AND ALL THE THANKS TO GOD WE’LL GIVE.