School Spotlight: Saint Raphael Catholic School

The School Spotlight series is an invitation for supporters and friends to learn about individual schools’ life-transforming work – and why we provide access to all 80 schools serving grades K-8 in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.

Saint Raphael School: A Catholic classical school, full of faith and joy

Drawn to its Catholic classical model, a growing number of families from the northwest suburbs of Crystal, New Hope, and Maple Grove are choosing Saint Raphael Catholic School, located in Crystal MN. The school serves students Preschool (33 months +) through Grade 8.

“We’ve doubled in size in three years thanks to rebooted online marketing campaigns and many families’ rekindling interest in Catholic classical education,” notes Mrs. Joan Soper, Director of Mission. “Our families have seen the value of a Saint Raphael education and have made sacrifices to ensure that it is possible for their children. Our teachers and staff are equally dedicated, and what results is our beautiful little community, full of faith and joy.”

Saint Raphael Catholic School employs a traditional Catholic classical Trivium technique that responds to the ways children naturally seek to be taught at different ages.

Principal Jason Finne underscores the impact the school is making in young people’s lives. “I started teaching at Saint Raphael nine years ago and quickly determined that I would be doing my kids a disservice if I sent them to any other place. Now, as principal at Saint Raphael, I continue to teach 8th grade Civics and U.S. Government, which is a particularly prominent subject matter in our classical curriculum and the capstone class of what students have learned in religion, literature, logic, and history. Our middle schoolers are able to understand and articulate complex ideas of free will, civil society, rule of law, and natural rights.” Mr. Finne notes that the Aim Higher Foundation has played a critical role in opening the door at Saint Raphael for more families who, without financial assistance, would not have this opportunity.

“I think these formation messages speak especially to our Aim Higher Scholars. Their families are so eager and grateful to have their children steeped in Catholic intellectual traditions. Catholic schools produce citizens who are logical thinkers, civically engaged, and overall virtuous.” Principal Jason Finne

Being on the front line with incoming families, Mrs. Soper agrees. “The Aim Higher Foundation has made a critical difference at Saint Raphael for our families who are bridging the gap between their desire for a safe and rigorous educational environment for their children and the financial sacrifices that those dreams sometimes necessitate. Many of our families transfer to Saint Raphael after an unsatisfying experience at local public schools and with a renewed interest in family values. This perfectly positions them to enter into dialogue and eventually communion with the Catholic Church. The Aim Higher Foundation is completely mission-aligned with the evangelical nature of Catholic schools!”

Miranda Bangu, current parent of an Aim Higher Scholar, expresses her gratitude, “I very much appreciate the scholarship, and hope that more people will keep getting it. It means that good people are still out there helping families. Much appreciated!”

About Saint Raphael Catholic School

Saint Raphael Catholic School is a Catholic classical school, serving Preschool (33 months +) through Grade 8. Believing that all students are capable of academic excellence and that the school is strengthened by the broad range of socioeconomic backgrounds represented in the school community, Saint Raphael strives to make its Catholic classical education accessible to all through its variable tuition model. The Aim Higher Foundation is honored to help Saint Raphael open doors to all families who desire the excellence it offers. Learn more.