St. John Neumann promotes what school has to offer
The teachers, small classes, academic and after-school opportunities and the family-like atmosphere.
These are all reasons the students at St. John Neumann Regional Catholic School gave when asked what they like about their school.
Mary Comensky, principal at the school, said that she is hoping to grow the enrollment at St. John Neumann over the next few years.
“I want people to realize that we are here,” she said. “We are the last Catholic school (located) in Carbon County.”
St. John Neumann currently has 65 students enrolled from kindergarten through eighth grade and serves the students in Palmerton, Jim Thorpe, Lehighton, Northern Lehigh, Northampton and Pleasant Valley school districts.
Comensky said that transportation from these districts is all in place and said there is shuttle service between the school’s two campuses — Assumption BVM, located at 641 W. Washington St., Slatington, which houses kindergarten through second grade students; and St. John Neumann, 259 Lafayette Ave., Palmerton, which houses third through eighth grades.
“We want to remarket ourselves to this area,” and show off all the school has to offer, she said, adding that St. John Neumann is another option for a child’s education when parents want to see their children in a safe, loving school.
St. John Neumann, which has been rooted in the community for decades, is based in Catholic tradition and boasts a number of academic programs that build a foundation for future success. In addition, there are after-school clubs and student council, which helps teach the students to be servant leaders.
Sixth-grade teacher Betty McCall, whose children went to Catholic schools, said that a Catholic education has helped prepare them for their career paths. She added that this is why she chose to teach at a Catholic school.
She also enjoys the family atmosphere that she sees between the students and faculty.
Comensky said that all faiths are welcome at St. John Neumann and students currently enrolled in a public school can receive a $1,500 transfer grant over a two-year period for transferring to the school.
“The kids love it here,” she said. “Our current students are really a family. They know each other’s names. They cheer for each other. This is their second home.”
Next year, Comensky also plans to start before and after care services for students whose parents work and is looking at adding 3- and 4-year-old preschool to serve the needs of younger children.
Enrollment for all classes is currently open and families can call the school to schedule a tour or find out when school shadow days will be taking place.
“We are a great small school,” Comensky said. “We have a wide variety of offerings. Our teachers are top notch and we have the room to grow even more.”
For more information about St. John Neumann Regional School, visit www.sjnrschool.org, call the offices at 610-826-2354 or 610-767-2935 or email altcsjn@ptd.net.