Since its founding 150 years ago, London Saint Patrick Catholic School has been a mainstay in Madison County, providing a Catholic education that marries Gospel values with superior academics and opportunities for students. As part of its 150th anniversary celebration this year, Saint Patrick is doubling down on its efforts to foster a strong sense of community and virtue, implement a number of changes to enrich the curriculum and roll out a new brand grounded in tradition but with a fresh look for the future.  

For the 2024-25 school year, the school is embracing the theme "Be the Light," inspired by the Gospel of Matthew. In this passage, Jesus encourages everyone to let their God-given talents shine and use them to better the community. It will be a constant reminder to students of the importance of sharing their unique gifts and making a positive impact on those around them. 

The school also introduced a weekly virtues program, where the school community will gather as a whole to discuss a specific virtue to promote a culture of character, moral development and where each student feels valued and empowered to contribute.

From a curriculum perspective, the school introduced Spanish for high school credit for eighth-grade students this year, providing them a valuable head start in language studies. In addition, this school year, Saint Patrick is integrating STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) lessons into the curriculum, featuring hands-on, technology-rich activities to foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills critical to applying classroom lessons to real-world situations.

Perhaps the most noticeable change is the school’s new brand, complete with new logos for the school, the parish and Saint Patrick athletics. The logos and new athletics mascot were unveiled to the parish and school community at the Family Fun Fest in mid-September. 

The new school logo is a nod to the school’s patron saint, incorporating his mitre, the traditional headpiece worn by bishops. The graphic serves as a reminder of the school’s dedication to spreading the faith while connecting to its rich history and mission of Catholic education.

In addition to the new school logo, Saint Patrick Catholic School proudly revealed its new mascot: the peregrine falcon. The choice of the peregrine falcon pays homage to the community’s historical and cultural ties to St. Patrick. Native to Ireland, these falcons are admired for their hunting prowess and their symbolic meanings of power, freedom and grace. 

Principal Rick Logue expressed excitement about the new mascot, stating, "The peregrine falcon perfectly represents the spirit of our school. We want our students to soar to new heights, embodying the excellence, vision, resilience and rich cultural heritage that the peregrine falcon represents. 

“Our community is filled with optimism and enthusiasm for the future, and I am humbled to have the opportunity to lead the continued growth and success of Saint Patrick Catholic School into its next 150 years, ensuring we remain a beacon of faith, education and excellence for generations to come.”

Saint Patrick Catholic School continues to accept applications for enrollment this school year. Families interested in joining the community are encouraged to contact the school at 740-852-0161 for more information or visit https://stpatricklondon.org/school.