Academic and Family Supports

One of the biggest reasons for the success of St. Matthew’s students is that our school recognizes that all children learn in unique ways. Some students may need support to grow academically. When they receive it early on they can compete successfully when they’re older. St. Matthew’s aggressively accesses all the supports available to our students whether it comes from the public schools, foundations or volunteers. Supports include:

Title I

This federally funded program gives students the extra help they need in reading, writing or math. The program also sponsors several Family Fun nights each year where families get practical tips on how to help their child succeed at school.

Special Education

Provides assistance for children with learning disabilities, speech therapy and programs for children struggling with emotional challenges. Requests for Special Education can come from the parent or teacher.

Literacy Enrichment Project

This project targets early learners and how they acquire reading skills. Three professors from the University of St. Thomas will be working with St. Matthew’s students and faculty over the next year. The goal is to maximize the literacy achievements for all our students.

University of St. Thomas Tutors

During the School year many student/mentors from St. Thomas come and work with St. Matthew’s students either individually or with small groups to help them improve the basic skills they’ll need for academic success.

Senior Readers

A group of local senior citizens join our primary grades each week to share the love of reading with students. Each student in grades 1-3 has the opportunity to go and read with these volunteers.

Social Worker

A school social worker is available to students two days per week. Our social worker comes to us with a strong counseling background and assists families who may be facing challenging issues or are in need of referrals to community agencies.

School Counselor

The St. Paul Public Schools provides a school counselor each year to work primarily with our Middle School students. The counselor teaches classes on organization, social skills and planning for the future as well as seeing individual students who are in need of continuing counseling.