About St. Bernard Catholic School

Our Mission

Saint Bernard Catholic School’s mission is to educate the whole child to serve the world as a responsible Christian.

Our Vision

We believe that every child is unique and valuable because all life comes from God. Educating the whole child involves helping them grow spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, socially, and physically. The Saint Bernard Catholic School community provides a safe Christian environment in which students can become life-long learners who are prepared to cope with today’s changing world and be responsible, contributing members of a global society.

Our Students

For 2019-2020, the enrollment of Saint Bernard is 97 students in Kindergarten through 8th grade.  Students come from area communities throughout all of Spencer County–including Rockport, Richland, Chrisney, Dale, Grandview, Santa Claus, Lamar and St. Meinrad, Indiana.  We also have students from Lewisport, Kentucky and other Indiana counties.

Our Faculty and Staff

Saint Bernard Catholic School is led by principal Ms. Beth Strodel.  The dedicated faculty is composed of eight full-time classroom teachers, a religion teacher, a part-time social studies teacher, three teaching assistants, a Title I teacher, and a speech specialist.  The Preschool has a director, a full-time teacher, and four teaching assistants.  In addition, the school is sustained by two cafeteria workers, an administrative assistant, a bus driver, a maintenance person and a custodian. This highly qualified group of professionals is committed to your child’s academic success and overall personal wellness.

Our Facility

Saint Bernard Catholic School first opened its doors in 1877 as a boarding school operated by the Sisters of Saint Benedict from Ferdinand, Indiana. It was a one-room school with emphasis on English and German, with opportunities for instruction in needlework and music.

The majority of the current facility was constructed in 1960, with an addition in 1985 that houses additional classrooms, administrative offices and a teacher’s lounge. In 1999 the school added a two-room classroom to accommodate increased enrollment. Each classroom has ample space and is air-conditioned.

All third grade through eighth grade students have access to individual laptops in their classrooms. Additionally, the school technology lab is equipped with desktop computers to accommodate classes at all grade levels.  Preschool through second grade classrooms also have computers for students to use as small groups.  Our cafeteria and fully equipped kitchen offers a hot lunch each day. The gymnasium, fitted with a stage, provides a place for numerous student activities. A well-equipped playground offers multiple areas for recreation.

Our Demographics

• Saint Bernard Catholic School is located in Rockport, Indiana.
• We are the only Catholic school in Spencer County.
• We are the only state accredited non-public school in Spencer County.
• Saint Bernard Catholic School is also accredited with AdvancED, an international accreditation group.  Our accreditation is for preschool through eighth grade.
• 65% of our students are Catholic; 35% are non-Catholic.
• Our 2019-2020 enrollment is 97.
• Our student-teacher ratio is 11:1.

Our School Board

The purpose of the School Board is to serve and support the Principal and Preschool Administrator for the overall good of the school, preschool, and the Parish. The School Board is an advisory body, established by the Pastor, to assist him, the Principal and the Administrator with governance and regulatory matters concerning the educational facilities at St. Bernard, subject to such regulations that might proceed from the Ordinary of the Diocese, and the Director of Schools. The School Board meets the second Wednesday of every month at 6:00 p.m. Elected or appointed members serve three year terms with a term limit of two consecutive terms.