Sept. 1, 2021

Lake Placid – As Lake Placid’s only early elementary learning center, St. Agnes School meets the academic, social, and developmental needs of young students age 3 to grade 3. The St. Agnes faculty set high expectations for their 115 students and offer a highly intentional curriculum that includes accelerated learning opportunities in technology, literacy, math, music, foreign language and art. The 2021-22 school year will begin on September 7, following St. Agnes’ 9-week SPARK (STEM, Play, Art & Recreation for Kids) Camp.

“Perhaps most importantly,” says Catherine Bemis, who has served as principal for 11 years, “we integrate programs that encourage creativity and problem solving, including SEL (social-emotional learning) and GAP (growth achievement program), to ensure that we differentiate teaching and individualize learning.”

St. Agnes School has met the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic by operating safely and continuously, offering in-person instruction, over the past year.

“At the start of the last school year, we created smaller learning cohorts, reduced student-staff ratios, converted our gym into three well-equipped classrooms, and made significant investments in learning technology, building upgrades, and enhanced cleaning and safety equipment,” explains Bemis. “All of this was done with a commitment to the continuity of students' experience. We have every expectation that our students will have another wonderful year in 2021-22.”

A recipient of the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation regional grant, as well as numerous community, private, and family foundation grants, St. Agnes School continues to enroll fully and early, as well as receive accolades and excellent reviews in print and on online platforms, including an “exemplary” rating for its Universal Pre-K program from the state Education Department.

“In all that we do, we encourage students to deepen their faith through understanding the teachings of the Catholic faith. We are proud that our students embrace gospel values and practice acts of kindness, and we are grateful that our families entrust us with their children’s preschool and primary school education.”