Catholic Elementary at Holy Spirit and St. Bede: A Joyful Start from K3 Through 6
Families looking at private schools in Montgomery usually want the same things: small classes, teachers who know their child by name, and an education grounded in something larger than test scores. Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School offers two elementary campuses — Holy Spirit and St. Bede — that serve students in grades K3 through 6.
Montgomery Catholic was founded in 1873 and is the longest continuously running non-public K–12 school in the state of Alabama. It serves the Catholic parishes in the Montgomery metro area within the Archdiocese of Mobile and welcomes students of all faiths to apply.
The school describes itself as a K3–12 college-preparatory school whose Catholic mission calls for an inclusive admissions process. That mission shapes the elementary years as much as the high school ones.
Two Campuses, One Curriculum
Montgomery Catholic is a regional Catholic school system with four campuses: two elementary locations, a middle school campus for grades 7–8, and a high school campus for grades 9–12. The middle and high school campuses are both on Vaughn Road.
Holy Spirit Elementary Campus (Grades K3–6) 8580 Vaughn Road, Montgomery, AL 36117 — East Montgomery 334-649-4404 Principal: Mrs. Karen Lathram
- 12:1 teacher-to-student ratio
- 216 current students
- 21% of students come from military families
St. Bede Elementary Campus (Grades K3–6) 3850 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery, AL 36109 — Midtown Montgomery 334-272-3033 Principal: Miss Laurie Gulley
- 11:1 teacher-to-student ratio
- 154 current students
- 21% of students come from military families
The two campuses have identical curricula. Each operates independently with its own administrative team, which gives families the practical freedom to choose a location that fits their commute and schedule without sacrificing program quality.
If you are comparing private schools in Montgomery, Alabama, that distinction matters: this is one school system with two elementary front doors, not two different schools competing for the same families.
What Learning Looks Like in K3 Through 6
Montgomery Catholic offers a college preparatory academic program beginning in the elementary grades. Beyond core academics, students at both elementary campuses have access to offerings in:
- Art
- Library
- Resource
- Computers
- Music
Students at both campuses have P.E., recess, and religion five days a week. A detail worth noting for parents is how much movement and unstructured time a young child gets in a given school day.
The school’s stated conviction is that each child is made in the image and likeness of God, created uniquely, with special gifts and talents, and that the school believes in the total development of each child. The Holy Spirit’s principal frames the goal as encouraging students to reach their full potential in a creative, loving, and supportive environment.
Faith and Community
Montgomery Catholic welcomes students and families of all faiths and creeds, and states that its students’ education is enhanced by the participation of families from other spiritual backgrounds. The school aims to provide top-quality academic programs with a firm grounding in religious and moral principles.
The school’s motto — Faith, Virtue, Wisdom — runs through both elementary campuses. Religion is part of the schedule five days a week.
After-school care is available at both elementary campuses for an additional fee, providing working families with a consistent plan for the hours after dismissal.
Planning Your Visit
The best way to understand either campus is to see it during the school day, and Montgomery Catholic deliberately schedules campus tours that way, so families get an immersive look at the school in motion.
How to schedule: Visit the Schedule a Tour page and use the tour calendar to find available dates and times. Once you have scheduled, the Admissions Office will contact you to discuss details for your visit.
Bring your child. The school strongly encourages students to attend the tour so that the Director of Admissions, principals, and faculty can meet your child and answer their questions as they walk through the classrooms.
How long it takes: Comprehensive walking tours typically last 45 to 60 minutes, and can be tailored to fit your family’s schedule if needed.
Where to go: Visitors to either elementary campus should check in at the main lobby of the campus they are visiting. Visitor parking is at the front of each campus.
Admissions and the K3 Year
Montgomery Catholic’s admission process is inclusive by design, and the school is proud to serve students of all academic skill levels.
The published admission policy requires that applicants demonstrate they are capable of succeeding in a college-preparatory program, as evidenced by previous grades, nationally standardized test scores, disciplinary record, and a previous school recommendation. In some cases, families may be asked to schedule an interview with the school or provide a pastoral recommendation before acceptance.
For questions about enrolling your child in a Catholic elementary school in Montgomery, contact the Director of Admissions, Julie Emerson, at jemerson@montgomerycatholic.org or 334-318-3777.
Montgomery Scholarships and Tuition Assistance
Montgomery Catholic states that a quality Catholic education should be accessible to all families, and offers several options to reduce the cost of private education:
- The CHOOSE Act (Education Savings Accounts)
- Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs) under the Alabama Accountability Act
- Variable Tuition
- MCPS Endowed Scholarships
Flexible payment plans are also available.
Two things families of young children should know up front:
- Financial aid is not provided to students in K3 or K4. If you are enrolling a three- or four-year-old, plan for full tuition in that first year or two.
- Financial aid never covers 100% of tuition. All families pay a portion of standard tuition, plus the annual $750 capital assessment fee.
To be considered fully enrolled and eligible to apply for financial aid, families complete the online contract and pay a non-refundable $250 registration fee per student. Financial assistance is typically finalized in April or May, after which a revised contract reflecting the aid amount replaces the original.
Full details are on the Affording MCPS page.
For Military Families
With 21% of elementary students coming from military families, Montgomery Catholic is a familiar destination for households PCSing to the Montgomery area. The school maintains a dedicated Military Families page with admissions information for incoming families.
FAQ
How do I schedule a campus visit? Use the tour calendar on the Schedule a Tour page to choose a date and time at Holy Spirit or St. Bede. The Admissions Office will follow up to confirm details.
How long does a campus tour take? Comprehensive walking tours typically last 45 to 60 minutes and can be adjusted to fit your schedule.
Should my child come on the tour? Yes. The school highly encourages it so that administrators and faculty can meet your child directly.
What grades do the elementary campuses serve? Both Holy Spirit and St. Bede serve K3 through 6th grade.
Is one campus academically stronger than the other? No. The two elementary campuses have identical curricula. They differ in location, size, and administrative team.
Do we have to be Catholic to apply? No. Montgomery Catholic welcomes students and families of all faiths and creeds, and its mission calls for an inclusive admission process.
Is tuition assistance available for K3? No. Financial aid is not provided to students in K3 or K4. Assistance options become available in later grades.
Is pre-K better than daycare? They serve different purposes. A structured pre-K setting emphasizes school readiness through early academics and routine, while daycare typically prioritizes flexible care. The right choice depends on your child and your family’s schedule. Bring this question to your tour — the campus principal is the right person to talk through fit.
Schedule a Tour
See Holy Spirit Elementary at 8580 Vaughn Road or St. Bede Elementary at 3850 Atlanta Highway during a regular school day, meet the principals, and walk the classrooms your child would learn in. Book an elementary tour through the Schedule a Tour page and let the Admissions Office know which campus you’d like to visit.
