St. Louise schoolhouse ready for students
August 24, 2010
By Laura Geggel
Issaquah students have been attending Bellevue’s St. Louise Parish School and Faith Formation Center for nearly 50 years. Contributed
Issaquah’s 7-year-old Amelia Aitken has finished her back-to-school shopping. She has a new uniform, new school supplies and a new school building, the St. Louise School and Faith Formation Center.
For nearly 50 years, the private Catholic school, near Crossroads in Bellevue, has provided a learning place for students in kindergarten through eighth grades from Seattle and the greater Eastside, including Issaquah. This year, 454 students will attend St. Louise — 46 of them from Issaquah.
“There is truly just a community feel that is unmatched there, and you can feel it when you first walk in the door,” said Amelia’s mother Erin Aitken, who used to teach fifth grade at St. Louise. “Although we have new doors, it’s the people, it’s the community. They have a wonderful focus on service and the academics there are very strong.”
Construction for the new St. Louise building began in June 2009, thanks to a three-year capital campaign that collected $8 million in donations and pledges from alumni, parishioners, school parents and friends. When school begins Sept. 7, students will find a new, two-story school with:
-a science lab
-an art room
-a library for school use during the day and parish meetings during evenings and weekends
-a computer lab and server room
-12 new classrooms
-lockers for junior high students
-a new administration section, which will hold the main school office, administrative offices and a faculty room.
Seattle Archdiocese Archbishop Alex Brunett will bless the school at its dedication Aug. 29.
St. Louise School principal, Dan Fitzpatrick said the improvements brought the school up to speed with the 21st century.
“We have installed interactive whiteboards and computer projectors in the classrooms,” he said. “Wireless access has been created throughout the building to benefit students in their research and collaborative work. And for the first time in our 50-year history, we have a dedicated science lab.”
The construction is part of a multiphased building plan, which includes additional school classrooms and an expanded church gathering space and outdoor courtyard.
Learn more about St. Louise School, including admissions openings for this upcoming school year, at www.stlouiseschool.org.
Get involved
St. Louise Parish School and Faith Formation Center
blessing and dedication
-3 p.m. Aug. 29
-133 156th Ave. S.E., Bellevue
Laura Geggel: 392-6434, ext. 241, or lgeggel@isspress.com. Comment at www.issaquahpress.com.
Comments
Got something to say?
Before you comment, please note:
- These comments are moderated.
- Comments should be relevant to the topic at hand and contribute to its discussion.
- Personal attacks and/or excessive profanity will not be tolerated and such comments will not be approved.
- This is not your personal chat room or forum, so please stay on topic.
