BOUNTIFUL—Families have a lot of options for education in Davis County but might not know about one that has been serving the community for 65 years. Saint Olaf Catholic School in Bountiful offers a faith-based education for students pre-K – 8. The school has seen some changes, including a new extension that was completed last year. 

“Our focus now is on the older legacy buildings,” said Principal Christine Bergquist. “We want to make the older part feel like one campus. We’ve painted the inside and outside, added new furniture and made other upgrades to make things flow.”

It’s a faith filled environment, she said. “It’s intertwined with academics throughout the day. We follow the state standards for education and we’re accredited.”

Saint Olaf promotes diversity at all levels, said Bergquist. “We teach students how to treat each other with respect and kindness.”

“I love how kids have an opportunity to take a leadership role with the younger kids,” said music teacher Shelby Fisher, who also has children at the school and attended there when she was a child. “When we have Mass the seventh and eighth graders are in charge of helping the younger kids know how to do Mass and encourage them to sing, etc. I love that the older kids have a chance to get to know the younger students.”

Fisher said they’re not Catholic but chose the school anyway. “I like the values my kids learn and even though we’re not Catholic we can be respectful of others' traditions and beliefs.”

During Mass the children sit quietly, she said. “There’s not too many times when kids sit with no electronics. I took the fifth graders to the symphony and they sat quietly and respectfully. That was a stark contrast to some of the other schools.”

The whole school does morning and afternoon prayer together in the great room, Fisher said. “It gives a sense of community that you’re part of something bigger than yourself.”

“We have smaller classes that allow teachers to know every student,” said Bergquist. “They’re getting direct, individualized instruction.”

Saint Olaf is a qualifying school for the Utah Fits All Scholarships program. “Families can use scholarship money to come to our school,” she said. “It opens up a lot of options for families. It gives parents a choice in their child’s education. We accept students from all faith backgrounds. You don’t have to be Catholic to attend.” 

For more information about Saint Olaf Catholic School visit https://www.stolafs.org/.