About Us

Welcome from the Principal

Brendan Butcher 2023-24Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,

Welcome to St. Paul Catholic School, where the timeless values of the Franciscan charism and our rich Catholic identity have been shaping young minds since our founding in 1930 by the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany. As the proud principal of this esteemed institution, it is my pleasure to extend a warm welcome to all members of our cherished community.

At St. Paul, we believe in fostering an environment that goes beyond the conventional realms of education. Our mission is to provide a holistic learning experience that not only nurtures academic excellence but also instills a strong sense of faith, compassion, and community service. Rooted in the Franciscan tradition, we emphasize the values of humility, nonviolence, and a profound respect for all of God’s creation.

From the moment each child sets foot on our campus, they become part of a family that extends back generations. We recognize the unique gifts and talents of each student and strive to create a supportive atmosphere where they can grow spiritually, intellectually, and emotionally.

As we embark on this academic journey together, let us embrace the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi, who inspires us to see the divine in everyone and everything. Our commitment to excellence is grounded in a love for God, a love for one another, and a love for learning.
I invite you to explore our website to learn more about the unique programs and opportunities that make St. Paul Catholic School an exceptional place for your child’s education. Feel free to reach out with any questions or to schedule a visit – we would be delighted to show you firsthand the warmth and vitality that define our school.

May God’s blessings be with you and your family as we embark on another school year filled with growth, learning, and joy.

In Peace,

Faculty and Staff

Getting Involved

Home & School Association
School Advisory Committee
Annual Auction
St. Paul's Festival

Home & School Association

The main focus of the Home & School Association is fundraising and fellowship. It is a great way to build community among Association members, parents and teachers, as well as the practical aspects of raising funds to support our School. Being a member of the Association is a great way to support your children's education, meet new parents and share your ideas to further enhance our children's school. In addition to providing fellowship opportunities, our Association raises funds for the school. The Home & School Association, through the creation and organization of multiple fundraising and community building events, is vital to St. Paul Catholic School.

School Advisory Committee

The School Advisory Council (SAC) is a team of people representing various segments of the community–parents, teachers, students, administrators, support staff, business/ industry people and other interested community members. The purpose of a SAC is to assist in the preparation and evaluation (developing and evaluating) of the results of the school improvement plan and to assist the principal with the annual school budget.

Each school in the State of Florida must have a SAC. By law, each SAC must be composed of the principal and an "appropriately balanced" number of "stakeholders." The officers of our School Advisory Committee shall be the chairperson, co-chairperson, and secretary. For a list of responsibilities for our SAC, please click here.

Your 2023-2024 SAC members are as follows:
Monsignor Gibbons, Fr. Tim Williford, Mr. Butcher, Sister Joan Carberry,
Chairperson: Rick Ryder
Members at Large: Tracie Domino, Nichole Gehringer, Kristen Froehlich, Bill Collins, & Deirdre Vedova

Annual Auction

The St. Paul Catholic School Auction is the school's largest annual fundraiser, but more importantly, it serves as an incredible community event. This highly anticipated gathering brings together parents, friends, and supporters in a spirited celebration of our shared commitment to Catholic education. The event requires the dedication and hard work of many volunteers, whose efforts are essential to its success. The funds raised at the auction play a crucial role in closing the gap between the cost to educate a child and the annual tuition amount, ensuring that every student receives the highest quality education possible. Join us for an evening of generosity, camaraderie, and the joy of supporting our beloved school.

St. Paul's Festival

The St. Paul's Festival is a vibrant four-day event that brings our entire community together to celebrate the beauty of St. Paul Catholic Parish & School. This joyous occasion unites families, friends, and neighbors in a lively celebration filled with fun activities, delicious food, and exciting entertainment. The festival features incredible rides that delight attendees of all ages, adding an extra layer of excitement to the festivities. The event showcases the strong sense of community and shared values that define St. Paul, creating lasting memories for all who attend. Join us in this wonderful celebration of faith, fellowship, and the spirit of our beloved parish and school.

Our History

St. Paul Catholic School Mission Statement

Inspired by the charism of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, the mission of St. Paul Catholic School is to provide students with a foundation for life through faith, academics, and service and to assist students in developing their gifts and talents, so that they may fulfill the plan God has for their lives.

As St. Paul Catholic School celebrates its 95th year, we do so with pride and thankfulness to the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, New York, who, with their foresight, dedication, and hard work, have been the cornerstone of the school’s history, and present day mission and philosophy. Inspired by the Spirit, and mindful of the call to proclaim the Gospel message, as St. Francis of Assisi did, the sisters have committed themselves to justice, peace, and active love, in carrying out their mission, to be and to witness.

St. Paul Parish, St. Petersburg, Florida was established in 1929. The first ambition of the people of this new parish was to build a parochial school. Father James Enright, pastor, invited the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, New York to open a school. On September 15, 1930, St. Paul Catholic School opened with five Franciscan Sisters and 136 students in grades one through nine. The school consisted of seven regular classrooms, one double room, a small kitchen, and an auditorium doubling as a church. June 1931 brought the end of the first and very successful school year and the first eighth grade graduation. All the equipment in the school was paid for before the end of the first year. This generosity and involvement of the parishioners and school families, which so propelled the school in its beginnings, is evident today by the most recent school and campus renovations that took place between 2007 and 2015.

The school grew rapidly and each year the teaching staff increased. By September of 1933, the school expanded to 12 grades. The staff consisted of 11 sisters and three priests. An extensive library was added, a drum and bugle corps was organized and school uniforms were adopted. The 1950s brought further expansion. The high school moved into its own building. To meet the needs of the growing student population a two-story combination meeting hall and cafeteria was erected. This second building included complete kitchen facilities, and boys’ and girls’ locker rooms. In 1969, when the diocesan high school opened, St. Paul High School closed. An athletic field was constructed and a second floor was added to the elementary building.

As the school population grew, so too did there become a need for an After School Care Program to accommodate working families. In 1986 the school opened an Extended Day Program. This service is offered from 2:50 to 5:30 p.m. every school day. In 1993, an Early Childhood Program was opened for four year olds. This program is licensed by the Pinellas County License Board for Children Centers and accommodates 21 four year olds. In 2000, a similar program was opened for 25 three year olds. Today both programs continue to have waiting lists for entrance into the programs.

​The curriculum at St. Paul Catholic School has expanded over the years. Students in the Early Childhood thru grade 8 are instructed in Religion and all major subjects, as well as Spanish, Art, Music, Technology, and Physical Education. Middle School students are offered Choice Classes twice a week in such subjects as yearbook, school newspaper, art, music, tennis, health, drama, robotics, and Spanish culture. In addition to music, art, and drama programs, St. Paul Catholic School has an outstanding sports program. Boys and girls in grades 5-8 participate in competition with other Catholic schools in the Diocese in basketball, volleyball, soccer, track and field. Throughout its history, St. Paul Catholic School has been recognized for its excellent faculty as well as curriculum. At present there are 48 faculty/staff employees and 332 students. The spirit and charism of St. Francis is as evident today as it was in 1930 and the years that followed. St. Paul Catholic School continues to strive not only to prepare the mind, but also the heart and soul of their students.

St. Paul Catholic School was one of the first Catholic schools in the diocese to be accredited by the Florida Catholic Conference and is re-accredited every seven years.

Tuition 2024-2025