In 1955, St. Charles School opened with one-hundred fifteen students, four classrooms, and three teachers, all Carmelite sisters. Today, a 1955 student would find enormous changes; eight grades, computers, smart boards, library, lay teachers, smaller classes, a full menu of sports, and extracurricular activities such as scouting, band, and student council. Educational aims remain the same as they were fifty-four years ago. Saint Charles school is empowered by Gospel values to develop lifetime learners. The motto is “Act kindly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8


Joe Sine has served as principal of the school for twenty-five years. He says a Catholic school education can offer unique advantages. One of the greatest is spiritual values and a strong religious education. “It is a gift to your children. There are good academics, and they learn to study, and work with people.” Sine says these are skills that translate well to the working world, and students come prepared to perform in a job after high school or college.
He is proud of the fact that six graduates of St. Charles School have been accepted to military academies—two each to the Coast Guard, Air Force, and West Point. In the eighth grade class of 2004, six of the forty-four graduates were salutatorians or valedictorians of their high schools.
Sine also points to educational studies that show the K-8 configuration is best for adolescents. “They can be mentors to the younger kids, and are more confident and secure by 9th grade,” he said. St. Charles has every subject area found in a public middle school. Besides core classes, the school offers PE, music, speech, art, Spanish, drama, library, and computers. Sports include football, volleyball, wrestling, track, basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer.
The student body is over 90% Catholic but is open to families of all faiths. Sine says that pastors’ children, as well as Jewish and Muslim students have attended. “A Catholic education is appropriate to any good way of life. We stress character development. We can talk about God. Students of other faiths bring their own perspectives, and it makes for great classroom discussions.”
Besides academics, the principal speaks highly of the smaller school environment, and the opportunity to develop a close community of students and parents with shared values. His family knows from firsthand experience. Several years ago, Sine and his wife Mary, also a teacher at the school, lost their young daughter Jori, to cancer. They were supported, helped, and loved through this terrible tragedy by their St. Charles School family. Seeing his leadership as a ministry to the Church and God and not just a job, keeps Joe Sine committed and happy in his position as principal. The Sine’s son is also a St. Charles graduate and has recently completed his first year of college.
Parent Tammy Knapp said of her children’s education, “When they go to a spiritually rich school like St. Charles, they grow in character and compassion. These are things that are hard to see on a test score. The classes are smaller and everyone has more than academic goals in common. It’s an education that builds Christian character and faith.”
Registration packets are available on August 3,4,5,10, and 11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on August 6,7, and 10 from 5-7 p.m. The first day of school is August 13th. An ice cream social and drop off school supplies in classrooms will be held on August 11, 6:30-7:30 p.m. For further information visit the school website at www.sbcschool.org For inquiries about enrollment, tuition and scholarships, call the office at 789-0224. Summer hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.