St. Bernard Middle School completing first year
Students please with Middle SchoolSt. Bernard Prep opened a Middle School in August of 2007 to compliment the high school program already in existence on the 800 acre campus in Cullman. Headmaster John Tekulve says the school has had a very successful year. “We offee a wide variety of electives - band, art, foreign language, computers, chorus, scholars bowl, and journalism to enhance our educational program. Our class sizes are 12:1 which gives students an excellent opportunity to excel.” The school opened with two seventh grade classes, and one eighth grade class.
The Middle School students are taught daily in Founders Hall, and share some of the high school facilities in the classroom building and athletic facilities.
Mark McDaniel and Austin Steele, both eighth grade students, came to St. Bernard from Cullman Middle School. Both students said they were hesitant at first but glad to be a part of the St. Bernard community. “It was tough at first leaving all of my friends, but I met new friends at St. Bernard so now I have more friends,” Steele said. Steele who has played the drums for six years now leads the jazz band with his drumming skills and admits St. Bernard has exceeded his expectations. Steele says his greatest challenge is being held accountable for homework. “I have to do my homework, so therefore I have made better grades.”
Mark McDaniel, who served as the school’s scholars bowl team captain, says he is very happy with the accomplishments of his eighth grade year. “Our first year out in scholars bowl competition, we finished 12th in the state and second in the county.”
Field trips are incorporated into the curriculum. “We think it is important for students to be able to take what they learn in the classroom, and apply it to daily living practices, Tekulve said. McDaniel said he enjoyed the recent field trip to Six Flags. “ I got to ride three roller-coasters. It was neat realizing how the law of physics works.” McDaniel is a trumpeter in the intermediate band and enjoys playing jazzy songs. Caitlin Varquez, a seventh grader, likes the fact she is following in her sister’s footsteps. “My dad decided years ago St. Bernard would be a tradition for our family. My sister graduated from St. Bernard, then Boston College and now is a writing assistant for Paramount Pictures in Los Angeles, California. My brother, Justin, is a freshman and it is cool to carry on our family tradition.” Caitlin says she enjoys the uniqueness of small classes and feels her teachers spend way too much time preparing lesson plans. “I have to work really hard every evening doing homework, but I really like the time spent at school.” Caitlin is a strong vocalist in the choir.
Will Faulk came to St. Bernard from East Elementary in Cullman and echoes the other student’s feelings about small classes. However Will says his greatest challenge was learning to tie his tie. “It took me two days to learn to tie a tie.” While Will is playing saxophone in the beginner band, he enjoys playing guitar as well. Will participates in basketball and soccer too. If he could change anything about St. Bernard, it would be detention. “When we miss homework assignments, teachers hold us accountable.” St. Bernard Middle School is completing the first year of the newly formed middle school this month. “We have had an outstanding year,” John Tekulve, Assistant Headmaster said. “Our students and teachers have been incredible. We appreciate our parents entrusting us with their children, and promise to do our best to bring out the best in each student.”
St. Bernard Prep currently runs a bus service to Decatur and through Hartselle. St. Bernard Prep is operated by the Benedictine monks of St. Bernard Abbey. For more information on St. Bernard visit www.stbernardprep.com or call 256-739-6682.
