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St. Clement's Regional Catholic School in Saratoga Springs offers much in terms of academics, activities and religion. To help knit it all together, they emphasize family involvement.

"Out biggest [trait] certainly is the idea of faith and family," said the school principal, Jane Kromm. "We try to approach things as a family would with their kids." 

Mrs. Kromm has been the principal at St. Clement's for three years and takes pride in advancements at the school during her tenure.

"We have a strong academic program," she said. "Our technology department is amazing thanks to donations [from parents and parishioners]. We have Smart Boards in every room, each student has a Palm Pilot and a laptop for testing, and we have an Apple Lab as well as a PC wireless lab."

The school also offers a Spanish program beginning in pre-K, while most other schools offer theirs in kindergarten.

Long history
First opened in 1918, St. Clement's was founded by priests of the Redemptorist Congregation. The first nuns to serve at the school came from the School Sisters of Notre Dame. 

The school was originally constructed with a church downstairs and a school upstairs. Updated in 1952, St. Clement's still has statues from the original church hanging on the walls of the lower level. 

The school, with approximately 300 children - 100 in the pre-k program alone - goes up to 5th grade. 

Despite the advanced technologies available, the kids still are enamored with the outside activities the school offers them.

Play time
"I like the playground," said second grader Peter O'Toole during his gym class. "You just get to play on it and it's fun."

Kindergartener Catherine Darcy agreed.

"I like the playground outside," she said.
Fellow Kindergartener Gabri-ella McSwieney preferred relaxation.

"I like rest time," she said.

Despite the academic re-sources and well-reviewed playground, the main concern at St. Clement's is to inculcate the Catholic faith in students.

"We stress the importance of telling the children Jesus is with them all the time," said Mrs. Kromm. "Through the ups and the downs, you're never alone."

One way they do this is through morning prayer, which takes place every day before class starts. During this time, Mrs. Kromm will present a "Challenge of the Day" for her students, as well as the parents who attend, which they will try to complete by the end of the day.

Guessing God
"It gets kids thinking" said Barbara Toth, a secretary at St. Clement's. "The challenge will often have to do with faith, values, things like that."

The constant involvement with every family in the school has resonated and touched many parents, including Andrea Kelly. Mrs. Kelly has six children, all of whom have gone to or currently attend St. Clement's.

"I love the small family environment," she said. "I feel my children are safe here. It's really like a family and I keep coming back for more."

Mrs. Kelly also praised the resources the school provides.

"A lot of the time I think people are sacrificing some things, but we have everything," she said.

Perhaps the mood at St. Clement's can be best summarized by the feelings of third grade teacher Mary Faustini.

"I'm a good fit for this school and I always have been," she said. "It's just so special." [[In-content Ad]]

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