Founded in 1965, St. Bonaventure Catholic School is an elementary school that educates children from transitional kindergarten to eighth grade. Its curriculum combines national common core and state standards with the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church to produce faith-filled, next-generation leaders. The integration of STEM, Spanish, and Music with traditional classes equips students with the unique skills necessary to face the new challenges of the 21st century.
“We knew that while academics are crucial, it is also important to surround ourselves in a faith-based community united in the love of Jesus,” the Vigliotta family said of their decision to transition their daughter Mia from a private secular school to St. Bonaventure Catholic School.
While Mia’s former school was focused on academics, from her first day in kindergarten, the Vigliotta family realized that the faith-formation aspect was missing. “Knowing how important it is to have a great education that involves not only academics, but also the fundamental moral compass that comes with religious education, Megan and I, then revisited our decision,” said Michael Vigliotta. “We decided to go back to St. Bonaventure for another visit. During our visit, we were immediately convinced that St. Bonaventure was the ‘piece’ that was missing from Mia’s education.”
Weekly Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, Reconciliation, Rosaries, Stations of the Cross, service projects, and daily prayer are simply a few of the ways that St. Bonaventure fulfills the Vigliotta family’s longing for faith and academics. Service, in particular, is emphasized in the classroom as each grade level participates in a service project that benefits the greater community.
First graders collected books during the Scholastic Book Fair and all money raised went to aid St. Rose Catholic School in 2017 after the school suffered damage due to wildfires. Fifth graders, in support of Operation Christmas Child, filled over 60 shoeboxes with stuffed animals, school supplies, basic hygiene items, and faith-filled letters for needy children across the world. Student government organizes monthly “Jesus Jeans” Days where students are allowed to wear jeans for a dollar and all proceeds go towards a constantly changing cause that is pertinent to current events. This service allows children to take an active role in their faith and become globally aware from a young age.
Mia Vigliotta came home beaming after her first day at St. Bonaventure. The family found the buddy parent program to be helpful to aid them in their transition. “Each day we are happy to hear about what she has learned, but most of all we are impressed with her new heightened faith and awareness of the Church,” Michael and Megan Vigliotta said of their daughter Mia’s personal growth since transferring.
“As Mia’s love of the school grows, so does ours as her parents. We look forward to Mia’s First Holy Communion this coming spring and continued growth in her Catholic education. As she grows in faith, so do we as a family. Needless to say, our decision to send Mia to St. Bonaventure Catholic School was one of the best we have ever made for her. We are so excited to be part of the St. Bonaventure family.”