Welcome to Our School

Welcome to St. Vincent de Paul School, where children are taught the faith of the Catholic Church in an academically rich environment. This vibrant school is filled with activities for children in grades Pre-K to eight. Children participate in activities that build their faith and knowledge while also instilling in them the importance of service to others throughout the year.

We appreciate the interest of our parents in the academic progress of their children; therefore, we provide each family with access to grades online. Information can be obtained by consulting the PIV Letter specific to your child's grade level. Passwords are provided by the school. Please contact the school office for information.

Questions regarding the policies and procedures of St. Vincent de Paul School can be answered through consultation of the St. Vincent de Paul School Handbook. You can read about some of the highlights of student activities and enrichment below. Thank you for visiting our school on the Web and please visit us in person soon. A warm, friendly welcome awaits you.

For more information about St. Vincent de Paul School, e-mail svdpinfo@svdpschool.net or call our school office at 479.636.4421.

Student Activities and Enrichment:

Battle of the Books: Battle of the Books is a competition among the 7th and 8th grade students. It is a year long process. Beginning in the fall, four students form a team of readers whose goal is to read from a set list of books and answer questions in a "quiz bowl" atmosphere in the spring.

Duke Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP): The talent search identifies academically talented 7th graders, based on standardized test scores achieved while in middle school. (Students must score at the 95th percentile in Language and/or Mathematics). Candidates are identified by our school and invited to complete either the ACT or SAT test while in 7th grade.
http://www.tip.duke.edu/talent_searches/grade_7/index.html

Ministries: Middle School Students (grades 6-8) are asked to sign up for a ministry to benefit the entire school community. The choices include: prayer leader, technology assistant, lectors, greeters, etc.

Odyssey of the Mind: Several teams are formed each year consisting of students from grades 2-8. Teams compete on the local level with volunteer parent coaches.
http://www.odysseyofthemind.com/

Ozark Natural Science Center: The sixth grade class is privileged to travel for an overnight field trip to the Ozark Natural Science Center in the mountains of Madison County, Arkansas. During this overnight adventure, students get to hike and conduct hands-on science activities with the scientists working at the center. Each child is provided a wonderful opportunity to learn first hand about plants, wildlife, astronomy, rocks and minerals, etc. This experience is one that students remember for many years.
http://onsc.us/index.htm

Running Club: Running Club is an opportunity for students in grades K-8 to have fun and improve their fitness by walking/running around our "track" before school two mornings per week. Student participants record the number of miles they walk or run, receive recognition for their efforts, and are invited to participate/compete in local running events.

Science Fair: Each year students in grades 6-8 are required to participate in our school Science Fair. Each child is able to demonstrate the scientific process as they display their project for our entire student body. Winners in each category qualify for the regional science fair held at the University of Arkansas.
http://www.uark.edu/~k12info/student/NWARSEF/

Student Council: 6-8th graders have the opportunity to demonstrate their leadership skills through participation in the student council.

University Day: Students in grades 6-8 that excel in Math and Science can qualify to attend this program. Small groups of students interact with University of Arkansas professors and graduate students and participate in various math and science activities at the University of Arkansas. Each group is asked to share their learning with others in their classes.
http://www.uark.edu/~k12info/student/UDAY/index.html

World Experience Day: Parent volunteers annually transform our school into a country or continent that the school community will "visit." Students are immersed in learning about the culture, food, sites, games, religion, etc. of that particular country/continent.

Sports: With the addition of the 8^th grade in the Fall of 2008, St. Vincent de Paul School has joined the Arkansas Activities Association and added a sports program to the school’s extra-curricular activities.

Cross Country: We have both a boys’ and girls’ Cross Country team open to all students in the 7^th and 8^th grade. We participate in meets with schools in the surrounding community. Practice begins in August of each school year and the season runs through October.

Basketball: St. Vincent de Paul School has added a boys’ and girls’ basketball team to its extracurricular activities in the Fall of 2008. The teams are open to all boys and girls in the 7^th and 8^th grade. Practice begins in October and the season runs through February. The teams compete with schools in the surrounding communities.

Vocal Music: St. Vincent de Paul School offers a choir for all interested students. The choir meets twice a week during the school day. Students sing regularly at Friday All-School Mass. 6th-8^th grade students have the opportunity to serve as cantors and song leaders during Friday Masses. Students participate in at least 2 concerts during the year, sing for the community when possible, sing occasionally at weekend Mass, and sing for special Liturgical Celebrations.

Beginning Band: St. Vincent de Paul 6^th grade students have the opportunity to join beginning band in 6^th grade. The director will work with the students to choose the instrument best suited for the child. Beginning band instruments include the flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, baritone, trombone, and percussion. Students may rent or purchase a new or used instrument, or they may rent an available one from the school. Students are expected to practice at least 120 minutes per week. Beginning band members will perform in at least 2 concerts and perform 1 solo throughout the school year. This class meets twice a week for 50 minutes during the school day.

Advanced Band: St. Vincent de Paul School offers Advanced Band to any 7^th and 8^th grader with at least one year of band experience or that has the playing proficiency at that level. Band meets twice a week for 50 minutes during the school day. Students are expected to practice at least 120 minutes per week. They will perform in at least 2 concerts during the school year. They will also be invited to participate in a band that plays at Friday All-School Mass and occasional weekend children’s Mass.

Strings: A beginning string orchestra class instruction for students in the 4^th through 8^th grades, who indicate they wish to play violin, viola, cello, string bass, electric bass, or classical guitar, is offered during the school day 2 times a week.  There is a fee.

Mad Science: In the fall the Mad Science program is offered to students in grades K – 5^th grade as an after school extracurricular activity. The students meet one day for 8 weeks to complete 8 different science enrichment activities. There is a fee.