Welcome from the Principal

John Scudder

Welcome to St. James Catholic School!

On behalf of our dedicated educators and staff, it is a privilege to welcome you to our vibrant school community. At St. James, we serve students from Early Care (2 years, 9 months) through eighth grade, offering an educational experience deeply rooted in Catholic faith, robust academic excellence, and a lifelong commitment to serving others.

As an active ministry of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, our fundamental mission is to honor God and form true disciples. We weave faith into the fabric of every school day—not just through rigorous academics, but through meaningful prayer, regular Mass attendance, and reflective time in Adoration. By encouraging our students to put their faith into action through community service, we teach them what it truly means to love our neighbors.

We see each child who walks through our doors as a unique individual blessed with God-given gifts. From our nurturing Early Care program to our comprehensive elementary and middle school curricula, we maintain high standards that challenge students to reach their full potential. Beyond the classroom, our vibrant programs in the fine arts, athletics, and extracurricular activities ensure our students develop into well-rounded leaders who graduate fully prepared to thrive in high school and beyond.

We firmly believe that parents are a child's first and most influential teachers. Because of this, we view our relationship with families as a vital partnership. By working hand-in-hand, our home and school communities create a supportive environment where students are always the central focus, allowing them to grow spiritually, intellectually, and emotionally.

I invite you to explore our website and discover what makes our school community so dynamic. If you would like to experience St. James firsthand, please call our school office at 608-268-9935 to schedule a personal tour. We look forward to connecting with you, answering your questions, and walking alongside your family on this beautiful educational journey.

May God bless you,
John Scudder
Principal

St. James Catholic School Leadership Team

The leadership team at St. James Catholic School is dedicated to executing the mission of the school and ensuring that our teachers are prepared to meet and exceed the needs of each student. Our leadership administrators are the guiding hand that leads our team of exceptional faculty and staff members to continued success. They inspire our diverse group of skilled and committed teachers to appropriately challenge and support the students at St. James, leading by example and dedicating themselves to the overall well being of every unique child. Collaborating closely with parents and families, our talented administrators and educators help students to reach the highest standards of excellence in learning, living, and serving.

Boards & Commissions

Advisory Board 

The Advisory Board meets monthly and exists to raise the profile of the school and to secure funds needed to support the St. James mission.

Governance Board 

St. James Catholic School has a Governance Board who oversees the Advisory Board. The Governance Board meets every other month, and assists in finding new members for the Advisory Board. 

Education Commission

The Education Commission involves regular meetings to collaborate among stakeholders in the school and parish community.

Honors & Awards

Kohl Fellowship Award

Mrs. McCall currently teaches math and language arts to students in grades 6-8 at St. James Catholic School. In 2016, Mrs. McCall was one of 100 teachers state-wide to receive The Kohl Fellowship Award. 

Catholic Charities Leadership Award

Sr. Kathleen was honored with the Leadership Award from Catholic Charities at their Annual Gala Event. Sr. Kathleen served as principal at St. James Catholic School for over 25 years, and prior to that, she taught math at both St. James and Blessed Sacrament.

Jefferson Award

During the 2015-16 school year, Bonnie Moschkau served as interim principal and her remarkable act of service earned her the Jefferson Award. Her remarkable story is curated by Amber Noggle of WKOW 27.

Our Parish

Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish was formed in 2024 and includes both Good Shepherd and St. Raphael Parishes. This growing Catholic faith community is home to a vibrant multicultural ministry serving the Beltline and downtown Madison community. With over 800 families, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish provides people and families multiple opportunities for Mass and the Sacraments throughout the week.

Contact Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish

admin@guadalupemadison.org
(608) 257-5000

We’d love to hear from you!