School Spotlight: Saint Rose of Lima

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 Rose of Lima Catholic School: One Community in Faith

In partnership with the parish of Saint Rose of Lima, Saint Rose has been educating families in the Roseville area since 1940. Today, Saint Rosa of Lima Catholic School provides academic and spiritual development for Preschool through 8th Grade with a focus on the role of each student in the global community.

Principal Sean Slaikeu has been working in school administration for over a decade. Mr. Slaikeu reflects on his years at Saint Rose and notes that shared celebration of faith is a blueprint for Catholic education that yields impactful outcomes for students and their families. He attributes much of Saint Rose’s triumph to the school’s staff. “Our staff members aren’t just here to teach; they’re here to mentor, to inspire, and to connect with students on a deeper level, to ensure our students not only succeed academically, but also thrive emotionally, socially, and spiritually.” In light of this community-driven mission, Slaikeu shares, “When students leave Saint Rose after 8th grade, our hope is that we have helped them become a better version of themselves, equipped with not only knowledge, but also a strong sense of self and a deeper connection to their faith.”

Mr. Slaikeu expounds, “Our primary goal at Saint Rose of Lima is to support our students academically, but even more importantly, to foster their growth in faith and understanding of Jesus. We are deeply committed to creating a community where everyone, no matter where they are in their spiritual journey, is met with open and loving arms and hearts.”

“The Aim Higher Scholarship makes us feel valued. We are truly grateful for the generosity and encouragement.” – Aim Higher Scholar Family

With this devotion to embracing all within the community, the need for tuition assistance as Saint Rose is steadily growing. Mr. Slaikeu says, “Without the support of AimHigher, I know for a fact that some families wouldn’t be able to attend here. Our enrollment over the last five years has grown significantly, but so has the need for support.”

Saint Rose continues to expand access to their strong academics, spiritual formation, and enrichment programs by connecting Aim Higher Scholarships to families who need aid. In response to the renewable K-8 scholarship, a family who recently benefited shares the personal and practical impact the aid has on their sense of belonging and future outlook. “Learning that people in the community knew that my kids’ education and stability mattered was such a huge relief. Thank you to the donors who have helped our family. I will be ever grateful for the opportunity to provide them a better education and support system, and in the end a better outcome in life. Aim Higher is helping our children be able to thrive.”

The renewable support of Aim Higher Foundation provides school leaders with confidence to welcome more families. Mr. Slaikeu notes, “After every tour I give I tell families that we can help if you need financial support. That is one of the best things I can do is to help a family choose Saint Rose not because of financial constraints but because they WANT to be here.”

Supporters of the Aim Higher Foundation provide families and school leaders alike the confidence to say Yes.

About Saint Rose of Lima

Making quality education and faith formation the cornerstone of a global community, Saint Rose of Lima has been a family focused Preschool through 8th-grade in Roseville, MN for over 80 years. The school’s mission is focused on lifelong learning of academic and religious academics to grow responsible Christians and citizens. The Aim Higher Foundation is blessed to work with Saint Rose of Lima in the greater mission of making Catholic education accessible to all. Learn more.