schoolSPOTLIGHT
Our Lady of Victory Catholic School Nurturing Faith-Based Education By Donna Neale
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etermined to address the spiritual, academic, emotional and physical needs of children from pre-kindergarten through the eighth grade within a diverse and faith-filled environment, Our Lady of Victory Catholic School combines high academic standards with Roman Catholic religion to give young students the tools they need for a well-rounded future. The school’s methodology involves three distinct areas: a nurturing school community, engagement in the Catholic faith and academic excellence. “At OLV we pride ourselves on being a community where each individual is welcome and known, and as a tight-knit community, we are working to prepare each of our students for success,” Principal George Wilkerson said. “Our faculty, staff, parents and stakeholders ensure all of our students excel in mind, body and spirit.” OLV’s choice to intentionally limit the school’s overall student population allows the principal, teachers and staff to build meaningful relationships with the students and their families, while smaller class sizes facilitate individualized learning for every student. OLV’s student body is a reflection of the variety of cultures in the southern metro Atlanta area. “OLV has a diverse population of students: white, African-American, Vietnamese, Hispanic and more are not only present, but also represented at our school. We are a true vision of the Catholic Church and our community,” says Wilkerson. Instruction grounded in the teachings of the Catholic Church lays the foundation for faith-based education. “Our Catholic faith is integrated in every aspect of our school. We pray daily, celebrate the Eucharist at mass weekly and incorporate the faith in all of our academic contents,” says Wilkerson. The school also provides age-appropriate
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service projects and Catholic ministries to give students more opportunities to grow in their faith. OLV provides rigorous courses in religion, math, language arts, social studies and science. The challenging curriculum is aligned to national standards and fused with teachings of the Catholic Church. Students also participate in enrichment classes such as foreign language, technology, music, art and physical education. OLV is accredited through AdvancED, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Southern Association of Independent Schools. The school’s overall academic excellence has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, which presented OLV with the National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence award, placing it in the top 10 percent of all schools in the nation. Additional programs include before- and after-school care and an interscholastic sports program. Financial aid options and scholarship opportunities are also available. “At OLV we prepare our students to be critical and independent learners,” says Wilkerson. “We hope to build a foundation of a strong work ethic and eagerness to continually grow. Our graduates have gone on to become doctors, engineers, Olympic athletes and, most importantly, well-rounded, faith-filled, learned individuals.” N
THE SPECIFICS Grades: PreK-8th grade Student/Teacher Ratio: 8:1 Tuition: $9,400 Catholic rate, $9,900 non-Catholic rate Location: Tyrone
Contact: 211 Kirkley Road, Tyrone, GA 30290 770-306-9026 Web: olvcatholicschoolk-8.org
