History of Academy of Saint Paul

The origin of St. Paul School dates back to 1950 with the purchase of twelve acres of property at 187 Wyckoff Avenue for $6,200 followed by the building of eight classrooms and a multipurpose room/auditorium. Msgr. Lester Quinn was the pastor of St. Paul RC Church at the time as he succeeded Msgr. Bernard Moore in 1943. Msgr. Quinn was determined to establish a parochial school for the children who were being bused to Immaculate Conception School in Mahwah. Due to the severe overcrowding at the Cherry Lane Church, Msgr. Quinn also decided to build a structure that would accommodate both a church and a school.  His dream became a reality on September 29, 1952 when Archbishop Thomas Boland joined him in placing the cornerstone. A temporary church occupied the auditorium of the new school. Christmas Midnight Mass was celebrated as the first Mass there in 1952. 

In April, 1953, the first six grades of Ramsey youngsters were moved from Immaculate Conception School on Darlington Avenue to their new St. Paul School. In September, 1953, there were 130 students in grades one through six and they were taught by the Sisters of Charity of Convent Station. A convent was built adjacent to the school in 1954, ending the sisters’ daily commute from Mahwah. 

A new grade was added each year. On June 19, 1955, eighteen proud students were members of the first graduating class of St. Paul School. As enrollment grew to 358 students by September of 1955, so did the need for more classrooms. An addition to the school building was completed in 1960. 

In 1989, the Office of the Superintendent of Schools in the Archdiocese of Newark commissioned a task force for Catholic Schools. The Co-Sponsorship model was created and the governance and fiscal responsibility for Catholic Schools was shared by all people in the Archdiocese. Thus, in 1990, St. Paul Interparochial School was born. 

In 1998, the school realized the need to modernize the Library and developed a Technology Center. With profits from PFG fundraising, a new Computer Lab and a classroom were constructed. 

In April 2002, St. Paul Interparochial School received accreditation through the Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools.

In 2004, St. Paul Interparochial School joined the North Bergen Interparochial Track League offering participation to students in grades K-8.

In 2005, a state-of–the–art Science Laboratory was built and donated in the memory of Ruth and Henry Ullrich. 

In 2007, St. Paul Interparochial School became part of the the first annual New Jersey Future City Competition where students participated in a six-month group project using the Engineering Design Process to solve problems while designing cities of the future.  

In 2008, construction on the full-sized regulation gymnasium was complete thanks to the generosity of parishioners and school families, and it was dedicated, and blessed by Archbishop John J. Meyer.   The location of the gymnasium created an enclosure and the courtyard garden was transformed into an outdoor classroom.

In 2009, the school welcomed its first PreKindergarten PreK3 and PreK4 students in the Little Shepherd PreK at St. Paul Interparochial School.

In 2010, St. Paul Interparochial School received re-accreditation through the Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools.

In 2011, St. Paul Interparochial School changed the annual Science Fair to the annual STEM Fair focusing on using the Engineering Design Process to design solutions and build prototypes.  Spanish was added to the curriculum for all students in grades PreK3 - Grade 8.

In 2012, renovations were completed on the former multipurpose room creating two additional classrooms for the PreK students, and the stage was transformed into a conference room. The front entrance was enhanced with a secondary security door and foyer.

In 2013, security cameras were installed on all entry doors to the school, and St. Paul Interparochial was designated as a 2013 Green Ribbon School!  The courtyard garden received the national School Garden of the Year! 

In 2014, the Archdiocese of Newark implemented the “Lighting the Way” Action Plan with a bold new direction in governance and leadership.  

In 2015, the school earned designation as an academy, changed its name to Academy of Saint Paul, and updated the school uniform.  The U.S. Department of Education named Academy of Saint Paul a National Blue Ribbon School, and the Academy of Saint Paul Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society inducted its first members.  

In 2016, the Academy of Saint Paul chapter of the  National Junior Honor Society received the National Outstanding Service Project Award for the Recess Counselor service project, and Academy of Saint Paul had their first Archdiocese of Newark Teacher of the year recipient.  

In 2017, Academy of Saint Paul joined the Archdiocese of Newark implemented the RCAN STEM initiative where students use the Engineering Design Process to provide solutions following the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

In 2018, Academy of Saint Paul was received re-accreditation through the Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools.  Google Suite and Google Classroom were added as technology resources.  The Library/Media underwent a renovation and added new computers and maker-space areas with trains, Legos, and STEM material.

In 2019, a second Academy of Saint Paul teacher was named Archdiocese of Newark Teacher of the year, and Chromebooks were added to the technology toolbox.  Students in grades 7 & 8 piloted a 4:1 Chromebook program. An alumni student received the New Jersey Future City Engineering Competition Alumni award and the United States National Future City Engineering Competition Alumni award.

In 2020, the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade Technology classes added an advanced coding platform to the Technology curriculum.  A 7th student earned the highest score in the United States in the National Science League Competition.

For the 2020-2021 school year, Academy of Saint Paul has adopted a 1:1 student/device program.  Students in Grade PreK3 - Grade 2 use an iPad with a hard protective case and crayon stylus.  Students in Grade 3 - Grade 5 use an iPad with a keyboard case.  Students in Grade 6 - Grade 8 use 2 in 1 Chromebooks that convert into a tablet.  The 8th grade Technology classes incorporated data inquiry/analysis into the curriculum.