History & Philosophy

 

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2

 

Founded in 1999 as a Christian Academy for Academic Excellence, Saint James Preparatory School (SJP) is an academy of distinction for grades six through 12.

 

Since its inception, SJP has been preparing students for leadership roles in the 21st Century by emphasizing academic excellence, character development, faith formation and community service in an environment that is Christ-centered, biblically-based, ethically sensitive, technologically advanced and multicultural in its purview.

 

SJP was established with the goals of maintaining a low student-faculty ratio, offering small class sizes and implementing a strong interdisciplinary curriculum.

 

Located in Newark’s “higher education corridor.” Which includes Rutgers University, New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), Essex County College, and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ), SJP—is housed in a newly built, state-of-the-art, high-tech facility that was designed with the challenges of providing a 21st Century education in mind.

 

The school’s founders see the effective use of technology as an essential life skill because among other things it:

·        Encourages and provides avenues for effective instruction;

·        Stimulates learning, builds self-confidence, inspires creativity and enhances self-expression;

·        Enables instructors to customize the curriculum to accommodates a verity of learning styles and ability levels;

·        Fosters higher order thinking skills such as problem solving, the forming of value judgments, and critical thinking;

·        Encourages cooperation, communication and collaboration between school, home and global village; and

·        Extends learning beyond the walls of the classroom and beyond the school day.

 

It is our long-term goal that through the use of technology, SJP students will attend college-level courses, chat with NASA scientist, participate in video conferencing and take courses in distance learning programs.

 

“Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for

them that love them.” I Corinthians 2:9

 

 

 

/files/general pictures/bible_in_hand.jpgVision and Values

 

Founded in 1999, Saint James Preparatory School (SJP) is a Christian Academy of Excellence houses in a newly built, state-of-the-art, high-tech facility which was designed with the challenges of providing a 21st Century education in mind. The Faculty and staff are caring and committed the task of equipping and inspiring tomorrow’s leaders to reach their maximum potential today,

 

Vision: To promote in each student excellence, through spirituality, scholarship, and service to home, church and community.

 

Mission: Utilize holistic teaching strategies that emphasize Christian Values to provide students with the tools necessary to:

 

·        Communicate effectively

·        Think critically

·        Conceptualize creatively

·        Work collectively

·        Strategize globally

 

Motto: A Christian Academy of Academic Excellence

 

Slogan: Enter to Learn, depart to lead.

 

Core Values:

·        Spitituality

·        Scholarship

·        Service
 

Curriculum: The SJP curriculum is designed to enable each student to develop the reasoning, critical thinking, and communication skills necessary for leadership.

 

·        Science

·        Mathematics

·        Language Arts (Writing and Reading Comprehension Courses)

·        Computer Science

·        Foreign Language

·        Religious Education

·        Art & Music

·        Career Education/Leadership Development

·        Social Studies/Civics

·        Physical Education/Health

·        SAT Preparation

·        Life Skills

·        Electives

 

“Now as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you—so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking.” 2 Corinthians 8:7

 

 

Statement of Faith

 

 

WE BELIEVE in a God who is infinite and eternal, omniscient (all knowing), omnipotent (all powerful) and omnipresent (everywhere at the same time), who has been manifested and revealed in Jesus Christ and still lives among us as the Holy Sprit.

WE BELIEVE that Jesus Christ is the final and fullest revelation of God and that he is both fully human and fully divine (Heb. 1:1-3).

WE BELIEVE that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners (I Tim. 1:15) and that having conquered death he now reigns as Lord of all (Rev. 11:15).

WE BELIEVE that if we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised him from the dead, we shall be saved (Romans 10:9).

WE BELIEVE that Jesus died for our sins (I Cor. 15:3) not because he had to, but because he loves us and that each of us is important, really important, in the eyes and in the heart of God (Jn. 15:13).

WE BELIEVE that once we confess Jesus as Lord, the Holy Spirit becomes a permanent presence in our lives (Jn. 14:16-17).

WE BELIEVE that the Holy Spirit fills (Eph. 5:16) anoints (Lk. 4:18) empowers (Acts 1:6) and bestows gifts upon us (I Cor. 12:4-6) to equip the saints for ministry, to edify the body of Christ (Eph. 4:12) and set the captives free (Lk. 4:18).

WE BELIEVE that the Bible is the inspired word of God written by fallible human beings who were under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and that it contains all things necessary for salvation (II Tim. 3:14-17).

WE BELIEVE that the Lordship of Jesus Christ mandates that we tithe, which means giving 10 percent of our gross income to the church, and that the failure to tithe is flagrant disobedience to the word of God (Mat. 3:8-10).

WE BELIEVE in one Church, established by Jesus Christ, and called by many names and manifested in many traditions (Eph. 4:4-6).

WE BELIEVE that the Church is called to witness to others and to introduce them to Jesus Christ, who saves us. We believe that any and everyone can become a new person in Jesus Christ. (II Cor. 5:16).

WE BELIEVE that because Jesus was resurrected from the dead, we too, shall live eternally in a body that is immortal and incorruptible (II Cor. 15:20-23).

WE BELIEVE that according to God's Word and promise, Jesus is coming back in glory and that we shall live with him forever (I Thes. 4:13-18).

WE BELIEVE that until the time of Christ's return or our departure, God wants us to grow and grow and keep on growing until we reach full maturity as followers of our Lord Jesus Christ.