About JPII Catholic Schools

Our History & Identity

St. John Paul II Catholic Schools trace our roots to the first Catholic school in Fargo, opened by the Presentation Sisters from Ireland on July 26, 1882. Sacred Heart Academy, founded in 1897, became Shanley High School in 1950–51. Over time, parish elementary schools operated at St. Mary’s Cathedral, St. Anthony’s, Holy Spirit, and Nativity Parishes.

In 1987, the Fargo Catholic Schools System was formed to unify these schools. Middle school grades 6–8 became Sacred Heart Middle School, while Holy Spirit, Nativity, and Trinity Elementary Schools serve younger students.

After the beatification of Pope John Paul II in 2011, the system was renamed Bl. John Paul II Catholic Schools, and following his canonization in 2014, became St. John Paul II Catholic Schools. Today, our five schools are supported by eight sponsoring parishes, educating more than 1,300 students across Fargo–West Fargo.

Our Patron Saint, St. John Paul II

Son of Poland and patron of World Youth Day, St. John Paul II served as Pope for 26 years. Born Karol Wojtyla in Wadowice, near Krakow, he came of age during the Nazi occupation of Poland and was ordained a priest in secret.

After World War II, Fr. Wojtyla became known for his work with young adults despite Communist oppression. He was later appointed bishop, archbishop, and cardinal, and participated in the Second Vatican Council before being elected pope in October 1978.

As pope, he traveled extensively and connected with more people than any of his predecessors. In 1984, he established what would become World Youth Day, a global gathering of young people. He died in April 2005 and was canonized in 2014. Today, he is recognized as the patron saint of World Youth Day.

St. John Paul II was a passionate advocate for young people, encouraging them to live with faith and courage. He reminded them:

“Remember that you are never alone—Christ is with you on your journey every day of your lives. He has called you and chosen you to live in the freedom of the children of God… Walk with Him who is ‘the Way, the Truth and the Life.’”

Identity & Symbols

The symbols and traditions of St. John Paul II Catholic Schools reflect our Catholic faith, history, and mission. From the Crest and Shield to the Deacon name, each element tells a part of our story and serves as a reminder of the values that guide our students, staff, and school community. Together, these symbols represent our commitment to faith, service, leadership, and excellence.

The Crest

The Crest reflects the spiritual heritage and guiding principles of St. John Paul II Catholic Schools. Each element symbolizes faith, knowledge, and devotion:

The Flame

The Flame represents the Holy Spirit and the light of faith and knowledge. It is also a traditional symbol of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who founded our Catholic schools.

The Sequela Christi – “Following Christ”

St. John Paul II reminds us:

“At the heart of catechesis we find, in essence, a Person, the Person of Jesus of Nazareth, and the only Son from the Father…full of grace and truth, who suffered and died for us and who now, after rising, is living with us forever. It is Jesus who is the way, and the truth, and the life, and Christian living consists in following Christ, the sequela Christi.”

This principle guides our students to live as disciples of Christ in every part of their daily lives.

The Cross

The Cross represents Christ and His sacrifice for humanity. It calls us to offer our sufferings and sacrifices for God, family, and neighbors. At the foot of the Cross is Mary, our guide and intercessor.

The “M”

St. John Paul II had a profound love for the Blessed Virgin Mary, evident in his teaching, prayer life, and papal motto: Totus Tuus – “I totally belong to you.” This devotion inspires our students to place Christ and Mary at the center of their lives.

The Shield

The Shield represents strength, heritage, and the student experience at St. John Paul II Catholic Schools.

  • The Shanley Shield first appeared on football helmets in 1973. It was designed by Shanley art teacher Sr. Mary Virginia Deibert, PBVM, with the help of her students.
  • The shield symbolizes strength. The cross of Christ is at the center, reminding us that faith is at the heart of everything we do.
  • The “S” stands for Shanley High School, named for Bishop John Shanley (1852–1909), the first bishop of the Fargo Catholic Diocese.
  • Graduation from Shanley High School is the capstone experience for students in the St. John Paul II Catholic Schools.

The Deacons

Our nickname, “Deacons,” was adopted in 1934 for the teams of Sacred Heart Academy, the forerunner of Shanley High School, and has been used ever since.

The term is especially meaningful for Catholic schools, as it comes from the Greek and literally means “servants” or “those who serve” (Acts 6). The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that Jesus “made Himself the ‘Deacon’ or servant of all” (CCC 1570).

In light of our schools’ mission, identity, and nickname, we expect students to excel in serving God and neighbor, embodying the values of faith, service, and leadership in their daily lives.

The Deacon Way Experience

The Deacon Way is more than a motto—it is a way of life that shapes the culture of St. John Paul II Catholic Schools. It calls students and staff to live with respect for God, for themselves, and for one another in all aspects of daily life.

Rooted in our mission, history, and Catholic identity, The Deacon Way sets high expectations for our entire school community. It was first introduced by the late Activities Director, Mr. Randy Nelson (d. 2014), who emphasized six core expectations for students in activities: faith, leadership, character, being a positive role model, academics, and sportsmanship.

These ideals have since grown to guide all students under the shared commitment of “Deacon Way, Every Day.” At its heart, The Deacon Way reflects our calling to educate the whole person by inspiring virtue and excellence as taught by the Catholic Church.

As Pope Francis reminds us:

“In order to educate, it is necessary to step out of ourselves and be among young people, to accompany them in the stages of their growth and set ourselves beside them.”

Today, The Deacon Way continues to guide how students learn, lead, compete, serve, and grow throughout their time in JPII Catholic Schools.

5
CORE VALUES

Community, Excellence, Faith, Learning, and Service.

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DISTINCTIVES

Faith-Integrated Education, Strong Community, High Expectations, Academic Excellence.

20,000
+
SERVICE HOURS

Students and staff making a positive impact throughout our community.

42
MISSION VOLUNTEERS

Students and staff serving others through mission experiences.

Our Schools

From preschool through high school, explore the campuses, programs, and opportunities available throughout the JPII Catholic Schools system.

Explore Our Schools

Leadership & Staff

Meet the dedicated leaders and staff members who help guide and support our schools, students, and families.

Meet Our Staff

Contact Us

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