Student life goes far beyond fundamentals. Vibrant offerings in the arts, athletics, after-school enrichment, clubs and service outreach allow each girl to confidently explore her talents and passions within a community of honor.
Student health and wellness programs at St. Catherine’s provide support to girls at every age and developmental phase with educational programming, skill-building and meaningful activities to nurture mind, body and spirit.
Our after-school care and enrichment programs provide many opportunities for children to keep learning and growing after the school bell, with days and times to meet families' varied schedules.
Students are selected for participation in this ensemble by an interest lottery. Violin, viola and cello are available, and private lessons are offered on campus. Students play in an end-of-year performance in a concert setting.
Lower School Choir (Grades 3 and 4)
Students learn basic choral skills with attention to pitch accuracy, appropriate diction, good tone quality and posture. The choir sings in five or more performances per year, including special chapel services, alumnae events and a spring concert. The Lower School Choir also appears in regional choral festivals.
Beginning Band (Grade 4)
Students are introduced to embouchure, breath support, posture, hand position and instrument maintenance for their chosen instrument. Band participants choose from flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone or percussion. They engage in a group lesson once a week and a full band rehearsal once a week. The beginning band plays two or more performances per year.
Lower School String Ensemble (Grades 3 and 4, co-ed)
String students continue to develop their ensemble skills, especially bowing. Students continue to study privately as part of their overall string curriculum. Eight to 10 pieces of music are studied per year, and the string ensemble performs two or more concerts per year. They also take part in special services and school events.
Robotics Team
The St. Catherine's LEGO Robotics Teams are just the place for enthusiastic grade 3 and 4 girls who are interested in math, science, technology and engineering. Applications are accepted in the spring of each year. The goal is to participate in a local FIRSTLEGO Leagueevent. The Grade 4 team spends twelve weeks in the fall of the year building and programming a LEGO robot to carry out missions on an obstacle course. The team members also research a real-world problem and design a presentation to deliver their data to the tournament judges. Teams have experienced excellent success in FIRSTLEGO competitions. The Grade 3 teams participate in the FIRST LEGO League Jr. program. FIRST LEGO League Jr. provides a challenge theme, which the girls learn about and research. They use LEGO WeDo to build and program a model that helps solve or improve a problem within that theme. Their season concludes after the students present their work at a FIRST LEGO League Jr. Expo.
Optional 4th Grade Leadership Opportunities: Inclusion Inclusion recognizes the mission and vision of St. Catherine's. The work of Inclusion is intentional in developing character, nurturing spiritual growth, celebrating individuals and building community. The students meet weekly to work on activities involving diversity, culture and religions. This group is open to all interested students in the 4th grade.
Community Service Club (Outreach) Outreach provides leadership opportunities for fourth-grade students who feel passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of others through community service. Outreach Club members will help other Lower School students live out our school motto in our community and beyond.
In the Middle School, student-driven clubs, activities and affinity groups meet weekly. Girls enjoy service projects, field trips, exploratory projects and trying new things.
Some activities include:
Altar Guild works together to create new ways of loving the Episcopal Church by thinking about chapel, outdoor experiences, new music and fun camp games!
Affinity Groups, created by students, allow girls to spend time with other girls and teachers, who share their characteristics, experiences or ideas.
Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) allows girls quiet time to eat lunch and enjoy a good book.
Junior Classical League immerses students in the literature and culture of ancient Greece and Rome, while preparing for the JCL convention and meeting other classics lovers in RVA.
Leadership elected teams from each grade level meet together to brainstorm how to expand our Core Values. This group also leads our bi-weekly student assemblies.
Lunch 'N Learn provides time for 5th grade girls to research and discuss topics that they want to learn more about.
MathCounts practices your problem solving and learning new math skills.
Model U.N. is a group of girls who research global issues in preparation for the annual conference at The College of William and Mary.
Robotics builds robots, solves challenges, and competes! Students who are part of our FIRST LEGO League robotics challenge will be preparing for their competitions during this time.
SOCKS (Serving Our Community Kids’ Style) makes a hands-on difference in RVA and around the world.
Student Ambassadors serve as buddies and tour guides for our Admissions Department.