Mission and history

Saint Therese School takes great pride in its standing as an accredited school  with the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh and the Middle States Accreditation organization. The Middle States accreditation expresses confidence in Saint Therese School’s mission, goals and objectives, performance and resources. It validates publicly the excellence of the school’s educational program. The Middle States Evaluation is an ongoing process requiring the submission of updated plans every three years. After seven years the school is re-evaluated for continued accreditation. Saint Therese School was re-accredited in May of 2018 and will complete the Middle States mid-level review in May, 2021.  The school's current accreditation continues through May 2025.

The Mission of the Saint Therese School Community is to inspire our students to be Christ-centered, lifelong learners.  In the spirit of the Little Way of Saint Therese, our school integrates our Catholic Values across the curriculum, to instill in our students a sense of responsibility and accountability that leads to service, leadership and the courage to discover one’s calling in the world and in the Church.

The Saint Therese School Community believes that:

• Catholic Faith Formation is the primary reason for our school.

• Students are encouraged to use their God given talents to the best of their abilities.

• The school partners with parents, families, the Church and community in educating the whole child.

• Students are encouraged to build the Kingdom of God through service to school, parish and community.

• Teachers design creative, rigorous lessons to challenge students to meet their fullest academic potential.

• The social, emotional, physical and spiritual needs of all students are valued and respected.

Graduates of Saint Therese School will demonstrate:

• An understanding of and commitment to their Catholic faith;

• An aptitude for critical thinking and problem solving;

• Integrity, responsibility, respect and courtesy for themselves and others;

• A willingness to work collaboratively or independently;

• A lifelong commitment of service to others. 

Saint Therese of Lisieux (1873-1897) is widely known as "the Little Flower." Even though she lived a short, obscure life in a cloistered convent, she is one of the best-loved saints who has captured so many hearts. How did she do this?

In part, the answer lies in the very ordinary life she lived as a Carmelite nun. Therese's uncluttered days consisted of prayer and work. Her way to perfection involved a never-ending series of hidden sacrifices, small gestures, simple kindnesses and tasks.

Saint Therese quietly followed her way--the little way. She taught many people through her life and her writings that everyone is called to sanctity and anyone can become a saint—even "little" souls.

We love having Saint Therese of Lisieux as the patron saint of our school. Her message is simple enough for us to understand and her "little way" is not too difficult for us to follow.

From its beginning in 1954 until the present time, Saint Therese School has been blessed with pastors who have supported Catholic Education, with dedicated teachers, principals, and staff who have been instrumental in fostering faith formation and a strong educational program. The school has been gifted with generous and enthusiastic parents and parishioners who have made many sacrifices and devoted much time and energy in volunteer service.

Since 1954 Saint Therese School has been distinguished for its formative development of students in the Catholic faith, appreciation of morals and values, and for its academic excellence. Through daily prayer and religious instruction, students come to appreciate the spirituality of Saint Therese of Lisieux and her “little way.”  They grow in understanding of their call by God to serve others, to live gospel values, and to spread the Kingdom of God. 

Emphasis is placed on the Catholic Social Teaching of the Church through which they focus on the image of God in themselves, others and the sacredness of each person.  Saint Therese School commits itself to nurturing in students the natural love they have for learning and the curiosity that drives them to grow in knowledge of the world.  The school program builds a firm foundation upon which to prepare students to live their dreams and to develop their own gifts and talents so that they may become effective as leaders in a world that is much more complex                                                                                                       and different from the time of the school’s beginning in 1954.