When you step onto the campus of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic School, the first thing you’ll notice is the sense of community—a blend of warmth and shared purpose that feels almost tangible. It’s a place where faith is as natural as breathing, woven seamlessly into every school day, every lesson, and every interaction. “Faith is the heart of everything we do,” says Jennifer Borth, the school’s principal. It shapes the culture and creates an environment where education goes beyond the textbooks.
St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic School isn’t just about meeting state standards; it far surpasses them. Accredited by the Texas Catholic Conference Education Department (TCCED), the school operates under the Roman Catholic Diocese of Dallas and stands out for its strong academic and spiritual foundation. The full-day curriculum serves students from Pre-K through eighth grade and covers core subjects like Religion, English Language Arts, Literature, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Spanish, Technology, Art, and Library.
Yet, what makes St. Elizabeth unique is how learning is infused with faith. Every subject, from art to science, finds a way to connect with the school’s Catholic values. Imagine a literature discussion that doesn’t just explore themes of good and evil but also frames them within the universal teachings of compassion and grace. Even the simplest daily routines, like starting a math lesson, may begin with a prayer that reminds students of a higher purpose. “Understanding God in Christ helps children better understand themselves and navigate the world in which they live,” Jennifer explains. This approach ensures that academic excellence and faith go hand in hand.
The school also emphasizes character development, tying each month to a specific virtue. Teachers nominate students who embody these virtues for the Christian Witness Award, celebrated during Friday Children’s Liturgies. These moments of recognition remind the entire community that success isn’t just measured in grades but in the strength of one’s character.
Jennifer’s voice softens with sincerity when she talks about the school’s mission. “The faith we help build as parents and educators will serve our children not only in this life but the next,” she shares. It’s this conviction that drives St. Elizabeth to prioritize faith formation alongside academic achievements. The school hosts traditional devotions like the Rosary, Ash Wednesday, and May Crowning, inviting every student to participate and deepen their spiritual journey.
At St. Elizabeth, the Catholic faith isn’t confined to religion classes. It’s a guiding principle that enriches art lessons, frames literature discussions, and even underpins behavior correction with a sense of justice and fairness. Parents and teachers share a strong foundation of values and expectations, cultivating an environment of respect and mutual dignity. It’s a place where faith brings hope, and each day offers a chance to grow academically and spiritually.
So, whether it’s the rhythm of daily prayers or the inspiration found in Bible readings, St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic School is more than an educational institution. It’s a nurturing community where faith and learning come together, preparing students to thrive in life and beyond.
A Place That Feels Like Home
If you ask anyone at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic School what makes it special, you’ll hear one word over and over again: family. It’s a closeness that goes beyond the usual teacher-student relationships and creates a genuine sense of belonging. “Our school feels like a second home,” says Jennifer, and that’s not just a sentiment—it’s a reality. Here, helping hands and hearts come together every day, ready to pitch in whenever someone needs it. Whether it’s organizing a school event or supporting a family in crisis, this community shows up.
Take, for instance, the Dad’s Club. It’s a group of fathers who are always ready to lend their time and effort. From setting up decorations for the Hispanic Heritage and Black History Month performances to assisting with the Christmas program, these dads are a vital part of the school’s rhythm. They embody what it means to lead by example, showing the kids that service is a way to express love and devotion to both school and faith. “We have an amazing group that works hard to ensure our school is a success,” Jennifer notes, beaming with pride. The whole community—from parents to teachers and students—operates like a well-oiled machine, driven by a shared commitment to make the school thrive.
The atmosphere at St. Elizabeth is tight-knit, warm, and beautifully diverse. It’s a place where everyone feels supported and included. Words like caring, loving, and home-like frequently come up when people describe the environment. There’s a powerful sense of connection here, a strong bond that makes everyone feel like they truly belong.
Part of what makes this community so engaging is the active involvement of students in shaping their school experience. They’re not just passive learners but active participants in everything from student-led parent-teacher conferences to serving in key leadership roles, like being president of the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) or contributing to the student advisory board. Even social responsibility is taken seriously. St. Elizabeth instills in its students a commitment to serving others, with each grade level participating in various community service projects.
And then there’s the Conflict Corner, a simple yet powerful initiative that teaches kids the value of communication and empathy. When disagreements arise, students use this space to work through their problems, learning to listen, express their feelings, and collaborate on solutions. It’s conflict resolution done the St. Elizabeth way: thoughtful, respectful, and anchored in the virtues the school cherishes.
Faith and Innovation Hand in Hand
When it comes to academics, St. Elizabeth’s approach to STEM education is nothing short of groundbreaking. Their Fr. Russ Mower SMART Lab offers students hands-on experience in areas like robotics, circuitry, computer graphics, and even sustainability. It’s a place where young minds are not only encouraged to tinker and explore but also to think critically and problem-solve. This focus on innovation is paired seamlessly with a spiritual foundation. “We measure and evaluate students’ progress academically, socially, and spiritually throughout their time at the school,” Jennifer explains. The goal is to nurture well-rounded individuals who excel in every aspect of their lives.
Academically, students in middle school have the opportunity to take honors classes, preparing them for the rigorous demands of high school. Spiritually, the students’ journeys are equally prioritized. Fridays are reserved for Mass, and students regularly participate in confession and adoration. The religious education at St. Elizabeth isn’t just theoretical; it’s woven into daily life and lessons, giving students a foundation that lasts long after they leave.
Special experiences, like the Thanksgiving prayer service and the cherished 8th-grade trip to The Pines, offer opportunities for students to bond and grow in faith. These experiences create memories and deepen the sense of community, reminding students of their spiritual journey alongside their academic one.
Jennifer proudly shares stories of alumni who come back to express gratitude for how well St. Elizabeth prepared them for high school. Many have gone on to become valedictorians and salutatorians, a testament to the school’s commitment to excellence. “We’ve had numerous students and parents return to let us know that they were well prepared,” Jennifer says. It’s a legacy of success built on the pillars of faith, service, and academic rigor.
Fostering a Love for Reading in the Digital Age
Reading in today’s world is a skill that’s becoming ever more crucial, yet it faces constant competition from digital distractions. At St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic School, the commitment to nurturing strong readers isn’t just an academic checkbox—it’s a heartfelt mission to prepare students for a lifetime of success. Last year, a transformative reading enrichment and improvement program was launched, setting a new standard for how the school supports literacy.
It all began with a simple but powerful idea: involve the parents. “We wanted to equip parents with practical ways to raise a reader in our digital age,” explains Jennifer. The school organized an evening session titled How to Raise a Reader in the Digital Age, filled with research-backed findings and actionable tips that were both easy and realistic to apply at home. Recognizing that starting early is key, the team also delivered a condensed version of the presentation to pre-kindergarten parents, setting the tone for a literacy-rich educational journey right from the beginning.
The next step was to integrate i-Ready into the reading curriculum. But it wasn’t just about technology and programs; it was about human connections too. In a beautiful show of peer support, middle school honor students began volunteering as reading buddies for younger students. “Once a week, these buddies get together for one-on-one reading activities,” Jennifer shares. The program doesn’t just boost reading skills but also fosters a sense of responsibility and leadership among the older students.
As November rolled around, even more hands were on deck. Adult volunteers started coming in weekly, each paired with a 6th-grade student who needed an extra boost in reading comprehension. The thoughtful setup included providing these parent volunteers with pre-selected books and pre-made questions to discuss at the end of each reading session. It’s a simple yet impactful way to enhance comprehension and, just as importantly, to build confidence.
And there’s more on the horizon. “Next month, we’re setting up a cozy reading corner in half a classroom,” Jennifer beams. This space will be a welcoming haven for parent volunteers and a perfect nook for individual reading tutoring. The school is already thinking ahead to next year, with plans to revamp the library in exciting ways. The vision includes new reading opportunities for students before and after school, and the hope is that library usage will increase so much that it could even expand into two classrooms.
“The possibilities are endless,” Jennifer says with optimism, imagining a future where hands-on reading centers with specific skill lessons will be available for teachers to check out. These centers will be designed to be easy-to-use, plug-and-play resources that teachers can pop into their classrooms for a month, complete with activities that require no additional prep time.
A Community Blossoming Together
As St. Elizabeth evolves, so does the vibrant Oak Cliff community around it. The school isn’t just a place for academic learning; it’s growing into a hub for multicultural activities and celebrations that validate and uplift every member of the community. “We’re inspired by our patron saint, Elizabeth of Hungary,” Jennifer notes, highlighting a spirit of service that guides every initiative.
The future holds exciting plans, like a potential community garden on the land behind the church. This green space would be a gathering place for neighbors—Catholic and non-Catholic alike—offering fresh produce and a chance to connect with nature. Discussions are already underway, and the dream is to have a garden that draws people in, sparking conversations and collaboration.
Even more, the school sees opportunities to extend its resources, like teaching English to non-native speakers using the community rooms that are already available. The vision is clear: a school that serves as a welcoming center for learning, growth, and cultural exchange. St. Elizabeth is committed to making its mark, not just academically but as a cornerstone of a caring, interconnected community.
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