About Our school

St. James School has been serving Catholic families in the Gouverneur area since September 1960, when three Sisters of St. Joseph arrived in town to teach first, second and third grades. The original school had 90 students.

A grade a year was added to the school until 1965 when there were eight grades. A Kindergarten class was added in 1972 followed by a Pre-K in 1984.

The peak year for student enrolment was in 1968 when 253 students were attending St. James School. At that time there were 7 Sisters of St. Joseph  and one lay teacher at the school.

The ground breaking for St. James was April 19, 1960. The architect was Maurice Finnegan, Jr. and the General Contractor was William F. Morely Sons.

St. James School ...

* has a Preschool through Grade 6 enrollment of approximately 90 students with a student to teacher ratio of approximately 10 to 1.

* maintains a computer LAN network with a computer lab as well as classroom computers for daily instruction, research and remediation.

* students produce scores on standardized achievement tests and on New York State mandated tests that are consistently above the statewide average.

* provides federally funded Title 1 services in remedial reading, writing and math.

* maintains a high quality library program.

* provides an after school Academic Intervention Services for students who require extra guidance and practice in reading and math.

* provides extracurricular programs in basketball for both boys and girls in the third through sixth grade. 

* private piano lessons are available for students beginning in the 2nd grade.

* benefits from active parental involvement in our educational goals and school activities.

* utilizes textbook and computer aid from New York State and the federal government.

* receives busing for Kindergarten through sixth grade provided by the public school system.

* offers a federally funded Type A hot lunch program.

* offers music, both religious and secular as an integral part of our student's curriculum.

* maintains a uniform policy.

* has a full size gym with a stage, and a state of the art outdoor playground.

* SJS students K-6 attend Command Performances provided by professional music and theater groups.

* students participate in field trips which correspond with curriculum. Gr. 5 students visit Ottawa , the Parliament building and Upper Canada Village as part of their Social Studies curriculum.

* Grade six students participate in a three day program at Beaver Camp with outdoor activities, swimming, boating, and hands on science/environmental experiments and activities.

* St. James students demonstrate their compassion, love, and concern for the less fortunate with donations to mission children and their families residing in third world countries.