It is Growing! Year Two: San Xavier Mission School

By Sheri Dahl, Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Diocese of Tucson

According to experts in the field of education, the recipe for providing transformational learning includes the following three principles:

1. Nurture – Cultivating belonging; connecting learning to the learner; and responding to students’ cultural and developmental contexts.

2. Guide – Sparking curiosity; developing mastery of skills and knowledge; and providing reflection and timely feedback.

3. Empower – Providing authentic learning experiences; and cultivating the mastery of life-long learning skills.

At San Xavier Mission School, the above-mentioned principles are naturally integrated into the faith-based learning experience for students in kindergarten through second grade.

San Xavier will begin its second year of operation after the reopening of the school in 2024, with a newly renovated school building and playground as well as twice the enrollment from last school year.

San Xavier Mission School nurtures students’ connection to the Tohono O’odham culture and to each students’ developmental needs–all within the embrace of our Catholic faith. Class sizes are small enough to accommodate individual student interests and abilities while guiding all children to mastery of state academic standards through whole class instruction, as well as small group and individual work. 

The highly qualified teachers and administration plan for meaningful learning experiences and ways for the children to develop self-advocacy with their learning, thus empowering students to internalize life-long learning skills and that will prove helpful beyond the walls of this historic parish school.

If you are interested in learning more about San Xavier Mission School, please visit the website. 

Or reach out to the principal, Ms. Minh Solorzano: [email protected]