St. Jude School

🌟 Key Highlights: St. Jude School

St. Jude School is a private, co-educational Catholic parochial school in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and the largest ministry of St. Jude Parish. It is committed to providing academic excellence in a Christ-centered environment that emphasizes spirituality, service, and forming lifelong learners.

🏫 Overview

• Type: Private / Parochial Catholic School (Diocese of Knoxville)

• Location: Chattanooga, Tennessee

• Grades Served: Pre-Kindergarten (PK3) – 8th Grade

• Enrollment: Approximately 315–350 students

• Core Mission: Guided by God, St. Jude School provides academic excellence in an environment that embraces the Catholic values of spirituality and service, preparing students for secondary school and leadership.

• Accreditation: Cognia (formerly AdvancED/SACS) and NCEA (National Catholic Educational Association).

• Affiliation: Part of the Diocese of Knoxville Catholic Schools system.

✅ What Makes the School Unique?

St. Jude School focuses on forming students in the Catholic tradition while providing a strong academic foundation for high school:

• Catholic Identity & Spiritual Life: Catholic values and doctrines are integrated into all teachings. Students participate in daily prayer and attend Mass twice a week (including All-School Mass), ensuring consistent spiritual formation.

• Service and Community: The school emphasizes the Catholic call to service to God and others, promoting the dignity of the individual and encouraging students to lead virtuous lives rooted in honor and integrity.

• Academic Preparation: Follows the curricula provided by the Diocese of Knoxville, which meets Tennessee state standards. The program is designed to provide superior academic preparation for secondary school education, such as Notre Dame High School.

• Accessible Faith-Based Education: The school strives to provide accessible and affordable options for students of diverse backgrounds, accepting students from both Catholic and non-Catholic communities and participating in the Tennessee Education Savings Account (ESA) and Education Freedom Scholarship (EFS) programs.

• Comprehensive Development: Offers a range of co-curricular activities, including Band (starting in 5th grade) and Expressive Arts (Visual Arts and Music) as part of the regular curriculum.

🎯 Who Would Enjoy This School?

This school is an excellent fit for:

• Families seeking a Pre-K through 8th-grade Catholic education that is deeply rooted in spiritual values and service.

• Students who thrive in a structured, faith-filled environment where daily prayer and weekly Mass are central to the community experience.

• Parents who prioritize a school with a clear moral and ethical framework that prepares students for success in Catholic high schools.

• Students who benefit from a smaller school setting with a favorable student-to-teacher ratio (approximately 12:1).

🛑 Who Should Consider Other Options?

This school might not be the best fit for:

• Families seeking a high school (9-12) educational program, as St. Jude serves grades PK–8.

• Students who prefer a purely secular or non-religious environment, as Catholic doctrine, mass attendance, and spiritual formation are required for all students.

• Families seeking an alternative or highly progressive educational model not centered on a traditional parochial curriculum.

📞 Contact Information