Welcome to
St. Patrick Catholic School
from our Pastor and Principal
Fr. Mathias Thelen
Pastor, St. Patrick Parish
Brighton, MI
Welcome Message from Fr. Mathias
We know where you send your kids to school is one of the most important decisions that you will make for them. We also know there's something special about our school. Our school is not special simply because the parent involvement and the sense of community are second to none. It's not special simply because we have top-notch teachers who, dedicated to academic excellence, create learning environments in which each child is challenged according to the most effective teaching methods today.
St Pat's School is special precisely because in an age of moral and spiritual confusion we intentionally form the whole child (body, mind, soul) according to the brilliance of the Catholic intellectual, moral, and spiritual tradition. A sound education cannot be reduced to downloading the knowledge of facts into the heads of little children. It's also about forming the minds and hearts of children so that they have the moral character to make wise decisions in life. It's about helping children explore the big questions in life, which helps them to know who they are and where they are going.
Fundamentally, at St Pat's we declare with great conviction that we are known and loved by God and that in his Son Jesus we have the forgiveness of sins and the hope of eternal life. Knowing they are loved, students at St Pat's are positioned to make a big difference in this short life on the way to eternity. We know St Pat's is special and we invite you to experience the difference.
God bless,
— Fr. Mathias, Pastor
Mrs. Carley Dunphey
Principal, St. Patrick Catholic School
Welcome Message from Principal Dunphey
Welcome to St. Patrick Catholic School where we take great pride in our deep commitment to educating the whole child- academically, spiritually, and social-emotionally. Partnering alongside our families, our dedication is to form missionary disciples of Jesus Christ. This means that we strive to build a culture where our students can encounter the loving God, be transformed by His amazing love, and then walk in confidence and truth to share the love of God with those around them.
Academically, our exceptional and dedicated teachers impart a love for lifelong learning that sets our students apart. Through quality instruction, assessment, feedback, and differentiation, our teachers work to deliver a rigorous curriculum in all subject areas and across all grade levels. Every subject is taught from a Catholic perspective and permeated or infused with our Catholic faith.
Spiritually, we work to help our students form a solid Catholic identity as a son or daughter of God. As this awareness and true relationship with God develops, our hope is for our students to become an instrument of God’s grace in the family, community, and the world. We look for the face of Christ in every student and believe that each has inherent dignity because each is created in the image and likeness of God.
Social-Emotionally, we strive for each and every student to come to know their unique God-given gifts and talents and how to use them for the greater good. Through a strong emphasis on moral development and self-discipline, students are educated and challenged to make decisions and act in a Christ-like manner, demonstrating respect for self and others.
Our goal is for our eighth grade students to graduate with a solid academic foundation, spiritual fortitude, strong moral convictions, and the leadership skills to impact a world that needs the saving message of the Gospel. Guided by God’s grace, we give students the tools they need to shape their futures and to become their best selves.
Finally, at St. Patrick School we truly value community. When there is a culture of community around the educational process, children feel more positive, supported, and confident in their ability to excel. Everything we do and believe goes back to how we can best serve our children. We invite you to call or visit our website to set up a time to visit our dynamic Catholic learning community here at St. Patrick School.
In Christ,
— Carley Dunphey, Principal