Fostering friendships across grade levels! A 1st grader reads to visiting 4th and 5th graders
November 9, 2026 - It’s been busy at St. John Paul II Academy! Here’s a look back at some of the highlights from last week, capturing the heart of life at JPII.
One of the beauties of the K-12 environment at JPII is the deep friendships that are present across the grade levels - all founded in a shared love for many of the same books, the same activities, and the same faith in Jesus Christ.
A High School Junior might play 9-square with a 6th grader at recess; a 7th grader will interview a Kindergartener for the school newsletter; or as an example from this week, 1st graders enjoyed a visit from the 4th and 5th grade, and the younger students were eager to showcase their reading skills for older students, who offered listening ears and encouragement.
These meaningful interactions are a beautiful reflection of the life of the school, where friendships are fostered across grade levels and students encourage each other to pursue truth and grow in virtue.
Last week, the Upper School took their annual All Souls Day trip to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church for Mass and bowling at the ICC lanes. On their return trip to school, the group made a stop at St. Mary Magdalene Cemetery down the street from school where they processed across the cemetery grounds and offered the Divine Mercy Chaplet for the Souls in Purgatory.
2nd-5th grade bade farewell to their study of Medieval History with a feast! Students dressed as knights, monks, lords, ladies, and famous folk from the Medieval era, created place cards, and decorated their own goblets. They enjoyed a candlelit feast of charcuterie, spiced bread, pies, fruits, and more, celebrating the end of the unit.
Kindergarten has been working hard at math and reading, while also building deep friendships and filling the classroom with laughter. As a class, they share a deep love of beautiful artwork; before heading into the Atrium for CGS, they chose to stop and contemplate the print of the School of Athens fresco displayed in the St. Joseph Building.
Lower school students have been enjoying using pumpkins as inspiration for art classes. 1st grade did a study on light and shadow, and 2nd & 3rd graders have been working with chalk pastels.
Hope you enjoyed this week in the life of JPII. Stay tuned for more glimpses in and out of the classroom as we continue to form saints, fully alive!