ST. MICHAEL’S CATHOLIC SCHOOL

Our Mission: All Saints Catholic Schools Network is rooted in the rich intellectual and spiritual traditions of the Catholic Church. We cultivate an environment of virtuous learning through knowledge of Faith and academic rigor. We provide opportunities for students to become disciples of Christ who serve their community with compassion.

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OUR LOCATION

504 N. 5th Ave
Grand Forks, ND 58203

SCHOOL HOURS

Monday – Friday
7:45 AM to 3:00 PM

CONTACT US

(701) 772 – 1822
Sara.dudley@stmichaelsgf.com

DISCOVER

LEARNING AT ST. MICHAEL'S

St. Michael’s Elementary School is a fully accredited Elementary School through Cognia. We offer a faith-based academic preschool (pre-kindergarten) through Grade Five. St. Michael’s belongs to the parish and serves the young people of Grand Forks and the surrounding communities. St. Michael’s Elementary School is a member in good standing of the National Catholic Education Association and the Department of Public Instruction.

St. Michael’s School strives to promote a Christian atmosphere of learning in which all students develop themselves academically, spiritually, emotionally, socially, and physically. St. Michael’s School is committed to providing a foundation of faith in the Catholic tradition, and in fostering an environment in which students and staff will be free to experience the presence of Jesus Christ in their personal lives.

St. Michael’s is a student-centered school. It recognizes its responsibility to prepare students for the future. We understand the unique needs and characteristics of young children and use teaching methods and strategies to meet those needs.

St. Michael’s promotes a close working relationship among students, staff, administration, family, and the community by recognizing the need of these groups to interact through mutual support, respect, and cooperation.

St. Michael’s School is an environment that was created so that education can happen anywhere in the school setting. A St. Michael’s education addresses itself not only to the mind but also the whole person. It is an environment that recognizes that if education is to be integrated into a person’s life, the school community must accept the person where he or she is. Most importantly, it is an environment created and maintained for the student.

St. Michael’s is not, nor does it intend to be, just like any other school. Its responsibility goes beyond giving the student a body of knowledge, preparing him/her for a job, or developing him/her into an informed citizen, though all of these are significant and worthwhile goals. St. Michael’s exists to help the student discover his/her identity as a Catholic young person in contemporary society.

EDUCATION IN VIRTUE

Theological virtues are gifts from God. Our students start each day with morning prayer together, where each week we learn about and discuss our catholic virtues.

Prudence
Justice
Fortitude
Temperance

ELEMENTARY CURRICULUM

Art
Band Grade 5
Health
Language Arts
Library
Math
Music
Physical Education
Reading
Religion
S.T.E.M.
Science
Social Studies
Spelling

Explore

Our School Programs

From preschool and childcare to afterschool enrichment, discover programs that support your child’s growth academically, spiritually, and socially.

VIEW ALL PROGRAMS

From Our Principal | Sara Dudley

Welcome to St. Michael’s Catholic School. I am blessed to serve this community of faith-filled students, teachers, and families. Our mission is to foster the development of the whole child through exceptional academics, faith-filled opportunities, and Christian service. At St. Michael’s, the teachers and staff are dedicated to this mission and partnering with parents to help students reach their learning and faith goals.

St. Michael’s Catholic School serves children in preschool through fifth grade. Our curriculum is based upon the North Dakota academic learning standards and the Diocese of Fargo learning standards. The students have opportunities outside the classroom in S.T.E.A.M. (Science-Technology-Engineering-Arts-Math), physical education, music education, and more. As a fully accredited elementary school, St. Michael’s provides an environment where virtues, learning, and faith are prioritized.

Our partnership with parents/guardians starts with a tour of our school and an opportunity to discuss your goals for your children. St. Michael’s offers tuition assistance in grades K-5. Licensed aftercare is also available at St. Michael’s Catholic School. I look forward to sharing more about how St. Michael’s Catholic School can partner with you to reach your family’s goals in education.

In Christ,
Sara Dudley

From Our Pastor | Father Raymond Courtright

Welcome to St. Michael’s Catholic School!

What a great opportunity and privilege to have such an awesome Catholic School. I am proud and humbled to be the pastor of such a great institution with such an incredible history. While our academics are exceptional and faith formation superb, we are happy to be chosen to help you form your student in teaching the total person.

In following our Lord Jesus Christ, we seek to teach the message of hope found in the Gospel. We strive to teach our children to value the dignity of every person, to strive for excellence, and grow in desire to follow Christ more perfectly. In the short time I have been here I can attest St. Michael’s School is accomplishing that. I am especially impressed how our students respond so quickly to learning the virtues and the lives of the Saints who model them so beautifully.

As the pastor I am happy to help in any way I can, don’t hesitate to contact me.

Be assured of my daily prayers for you and your family!

Yours gratefully in Jesus Christ,
Fr. Ray Courtright

LEARN ABOUT THE

History of St. Michael's Catholic School

St. Michael’s Catholic School was erected during the pastorate of Monsignor J.A. Lemieux. The desire for a parochial school had long been in the hearts of the vast majority of the people of St. Michael’s Parish.

1915

W.J. Edwards was chosen as the architect. In 1915, the contract for the building was awarded to the Dinnie Brothers. The building was completed in September of 1916

1916

The dedication of the school was on September 24, 1916, and was followed by the Solemn High Mass, which was celebrated by Monsignor Lemieux. His Excellency, Bishop James O’Reilly, an ardent apostle of parochial schools, dedicated the school.

Registration was held on September 11, 1916. and 242 pupils were enrolled. The first principal was Mother Grata Powers. Her faculty included Sister Agnes Catherine Mahoney, music; Sister Magdalene Boog, primary grades and art; Sister Mary Rose Davern and Sister Rosella Jones, intermediate instructors. Later, Sisters St. Kevin Burke and Rose Elizabeth Schmitz joined the staff.

1947

In 1947, there was an enrollment of 560 at St. Michael’s. For twenty years, space was needed to accommodate the ever-growing enrollment. During the preceding 36 years, enrollment had almost tripled.

1948-1953

In 1948, a gymnasium was proposed with completion in 1949. In 1952, the plans were approved. In 1950, plans were made for a new school at a mass meeting called by Monsignor McNamee. U.L. Freed was an architect, and contracts of 154,000 were left. About 400 members of the parish participated in a fund drive. The new school addition was dedicated on August 30, 1953. It contained six classrooms, a large cafeteria, and a modern, well-equipped kitchen.

1969

In 1969, the Catholic School System in Grand Forks was faced with insurmountable financial burdens. This resulted in the closing of St. James High School. It was deemed advisable to cut back from eight grades to six to fit the pattern of local public schools.

1972

In 1972, a Kindergarten program was added to the curriculum. Fourteen students were enrolled. The total enrollment for St. Michael’s in 1973-1974 was 166. Remodeling was completed in the primary department.

2002-2005

St. Michael’s began its after-school program in 2002-2003 to accommodate working parents. In 2005, it started an academic and faith-based preschool for 4-year-olds, getting a jumpstart on Kindergarten!

St. Michael’s School works hard to support the values taught by parents in the home which is the exact reason our parents choose to educate their children in an environment that supports the traditional beliefs and values of the Catholic faith. At St. Michael’s School, our teachers hold high academic standards, build character, teach compassion for others, and instill virtues of our faith in the children they teach.

TESTIMONIALS

See What Others Are Saying...

“Every day my daughter comes home excited to tell me all the things she's learned. I can't believe how much she has bloomed since we started at St. Michael's!”

“St. Mike's has been a game-changer for our family! The teachers are passionate, the community is supportive, and the values-based education has helped my children grow into a confident, compassionate, and faith-filled individuals. As a non-Catholic family, we always feel welcomed in a Christian based environment.”
Sissy

“From the moment we arrived, it was clear this school is something special. Every staff member—from teachers to the principal to the lunchroom and custodial team—greets each child and parent by name. That level of personal care is truly remarkable. Our preschool child has flourished—gaining confidence, independence, and a genuine love for learning and faith. The warmth, kindness, and sense of community here set it apart from any other school.”
Sarah

“St. Michael’s is more than just a private school. It’s a family! We have two children who have attended St Michael’s school the past five years and it has provided our children the best education, allows them to grow/learn about their faith every single day and teach’s them virtue’s that impact these students every day lives. We will forever be grateful for St Michael’s School and everything it has to offer to their students.”
Kim

“St Michael’s school has been helping our children. They are showing improvement in understanding faith based education which nurture spiritual growth. My daughter will always come home and pray and recite all prayers and songs From school. Both my Kids has grown so much in many areas because of st Michael. I feel that all including the Kids so kind to each other. They are always excited to go back to school every single day and I am grateful.”
Solange

“We have experienced nothing but kindness, community, and friendship in our time at St. Michael's. This school truly is a family. Our daughter cannot make it down the hall without being greeted by name by several staff and students. We can't imagine being anywhere else.”
Marie & Montell