A Parish on Delhi Avenue, a School on Pedretti Road
St. Dominic Parish sits on Delhi Avenue in Delhi Township, about six miles west of downtown Cincinnati. From its rectory at 4551 Delhi Avenue, the parish oversees a Catholic elementary school at 371 Pedretti Road, alongside ministries that span athletics, scouting, faith formation, and community service. Together, parish and school form one Catholic community serving families across Cincinnati's western suburbs.
The parish's motto for its school, "Great Minds Soar," captures the spirit of a place that has educated generations of Cincinnati-area children for more than 90 years.
A Nine-Decade Educational Story
St. Dominic School opened its doors in 1934, when eight grades were squeezed into four rooms and 93 students enrolled. The school was staffed by the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati from that first day through 2003, a 69-year run that gave the school much of its devotional character. As Delhi Hills developed around it, additions came in 1939, 1942, 1958, 1962, and 1964. By the late 1960s, enrollment reached 1,160 students, making St. Dominic one of the largest parish schools in the region.
Through the Auxiliary Services Program of the State of Ohio, the school was able to add specialized staff to meet a wide variety of student needs. In addition to regular classroom teachers and Specials Teachers of Advanced Math, Art, Computers, Music, and Physical Education, the school now includes a School Psychologist, Speech and Language Therapist, Title I Reading Teacher, an Enrichment Specialist, a Learning Disabilities Tutor, a Reading and Math Tutor, and a School Nurse.
In the 1990s the school added Kindergarten, and in 2010 a preschool was established to round out a Pre-K through 8 program. In 2008 the United States Department of Education named St. Dominic one of only 50 non-public schools nationwide to receive the Blue Ribbon of Excellence Award, the highest recognition an American school can earn. One faculty member has attained National Board Certified Teacher status, and several others have received the NCEA Teacher of the Year Award for Region Six (Michigan and Ohio).
The school has watched many generations of students go on to become doctors, engineers, attorneys, accountants, politicians, CEOs, and service members, with many graduates returning as faith-filled parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents within the parish.
Faith Formation Across the Week
As an Archdiocesan Roman Catholic elementary school, St. Dominic weaves religion into every part of the day. Students in grades 1-8 attend Mass weekly, and a faith-filled religion program is built around Catholic tradition, service, and values. Catholic students preparing for sacraments take part in additional formation and service activities, and the school runs a student-led Christian Service program that introduces children to lives of giving.
The school's Statement of Beliefs makes the partnership explicit: "St. Dominic School shares with the family the responsibility of helping each child develop spiritually, morally, academically, socially, emotionally, and physically in an atmosphere permeated by the gospel message of Jesus." Each year the school guides every student to grow as a faith-filled child of God while reaching his or her academic potential. Children of all faiths are welcome; the core religion program is rooted in the Catholic and Christian tradition of faith, service, values, and prayer. The school supplements this with a character education program that runs throughout the curriculum areas.
Pastoral leadership at the parish is provided by Father Jim Walsh, pastor, with Deacon Mark Bardonaro serving as parish administrator and Karen Brandstetter as pastoral associate. The principal, Jenny O'Brien, leads the school's day-to-day operations.
Curriculum Built on the Archdiocese's Course of Study
St. Dominic follows the Archdiocese of Cincinnati Graded Course of Study, which adheres to Ohio's state standards. Every K-8 student receives daily cross-curricular instruction in Religion, Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies, plus weekly classes in Art, Music, Computer, and Physical Education.
The Language Arts curriculum integrates reading and writing with differentiation, helping younger readers with a Title I Reading teacher, a Speech and Language therapist, and instructional aides. By seventh and eighth grade, 15% or more of students participate in an Advanced Reading program that asks students to think deeply and analyze texts on a sophisticated level. The Westside Speech Contest gives older students a public-speaking platform. Spelling, grammar, vocabulary, and writing are emphasized, with older students encouraged to take an active role in their education through group discussions, drama performances, and the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
Math instruction uses manipulatives along with traditional methods. Class meetings in K-3 allow for group participation, and fourth through eighth graders take part in the monthly Continental Math League competition for five months a year. Grouping in junior high lets students move at their own pace, and 15% or more of fifth through eighth graders participate in the Accelerated Math Program, which allows them to complete Algebra I before entering high school.
Science comes alive through hands-on activities and a dedicated science lab. Each year brings Science Day, when older students plan, teach, and engage younger students in science activities. Social Studies emphasizes civic responsibility and cultural awareness, with annual traditions like Australia Days (third grade), state and local community studies (fourth grade), Johnny Appleseed Day (first grade), and pen pals around the world. Seventh graders take part in a United States Naturalization Ceremony held annually on campus, and Junior Achievement runs in every K-8 classroom.
Art exposes students to a variety of media and cultural diversity while encouraging self-expression. The Spring Art Show highlights student projects, including portraits, paintings, pastels, printmaking, and 3-D design. The Music program stimulates academic, social, and spiritual development through the Blackhawk Singers program, cantor training for parish functions, and student-and-teacher productions including a First Grade Christmas musical, an all-school play, and an eighth-grade play.
Physical Education uses music, dance, and movement to facilitate student confidence, developmental skills, team building, fitness, and individual and team sports. Special events such as Olympic Day, Field Day, Walk-A-Thon, and Jump Rope for Heart encourage family and community involvement.
Enrichment, Technology, and the Makerspace
The school's Enrichment program identifies top students through standardized test scores, classroom averages, and teacher recommendations, then offers them broad experiences in oral and written expression, logical reasoning, creative and critical thinking, independent study, and research. Advanced Math invitations arrive in fifth grade; Advanced Reading begins in seventh. A Learning Disability Tutor is available for students who have been identified as having a learning disability and who have an active Service Plan.
Technology is woven into daily learning. Students in K-8 have access to two computer labs and tablet or Chromebook carts. Every classroom has an interactive Smart or Sharp monitor board, a document camera, and a teacher laptop or tablet, with wireless access and networked printers throughout the building. Students learn a variety of software, hardware, applications, and Internet usage, including coding and 3D printing in the Technology classroom, which houses two Polar 3D printers used both in classes and by the STEM Club. Older students are prepared for high school through lessons in Microsoft Office products, keyboarding, Adobe products, multimedia projects, Internet safety, and research projects.
The Makerspace provides enrichment and hands-on problem-solving with a wide variety of STEM-based activities and materials. The school welcomes donations of consumable and recyclable materials (toilet paper tubes, paper towel tubes, cardboard, duct tape, craft sticks, ribbon, arts and crafts supplies), which can be dropped at the school office. The library holds a catalogued collection of more than 15,000 volumes and supports the Accelerated Reader program, which parents and students can access online through Infohio.
Student Activities for Every Interest
Beyond academics, students can join clubs and competitions that fit a wide range of interests. The school offers Academic Club, Accelerated Reader, Archery Club (seventh and eighth grade), Art Club (third through eighth), Chess in Schools (third through fifth), Christian Service Committee, Community Service Projects, Continental Math League, Eucharistic Ministers, a First Grade Christmas Play, Blackhawk Buddies character education, Global Hearts Club, Helping Hands Community Service Club, Junior Achievement, Scripps National Spelling Bee (fourth through eighth), STEM Club (third through eighth), Student Council, Westside Junior High Speech Contest, and Yearbook.
The Blackhawk Singers program brings selected middle and junior high students to community outreach events, performing at local gatherings and parish activities. Cantor training is also available for parish functions.
Athletics for the Whole Family
The St. Dominic Athletic Association welcomes all parish families, with participating youth either enrolled in the parish school or attending the Parish School of Religion on an ongoing basis. The program offers seven different sports for boys and girls from pre-K through high school.
Parents who sign up agree to a Parents Code of Ethics, pledging positive support for players, coaches, and officials; insisting on safe and healthy environments; placing children's emotional and physical well-being ahead of personal desire to win; supporting coaches and officials; and remembering that "the team and I represent St. Dominic Parish, a Catholic community that follows Jesus Christ and embodies His values." The athletic association also offers the Pohlkamp Scholarship to graduating eighth graders, alongside the St. Dominic Men's Society High School Scholarship.
Scouting America at St. Dominic
St. Dominic Boy Scout Troop 483 welcomes boys ages 11 to 18, guiding them through merit badges and the path to Eagle Scout with the help of adult leaders and volunteers. The troop supports its camping trips and annual summer camp through a variety of fundraisers.
Cub Scout Pack 483 includes boys in kindergarten through fifth grade. The pack meets monthly as a group, with smaller dens of 6 to 8 boys gathering three times a month under den leaders to grow in character, good morals, and physical fitness. Boy Scout Troop #483 is led by Terry Kent, with Cub Scout den leaders Michael Bizaillon and Bill Eckhoff.
Parent Community and the PTO
The St. Dominic Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is a formal organization of parents, teachers, and school staff. Its goals include volunteerism of parents, encouragement of teachers and students, community involvement, and the welfare of students and families. The PTO has earned the prestigious NCEA Home/School Award in recognition of its partnership with families.
The PTO's mission is to promote open communication and understanding between parents and staff of St. Dominic School. Its efforts serve to enhance and maximize the education of every child while helping them achieve their highest potential.
Education Commission and Parish Governance
The parish's Education Commission recommends and determines policies that guide the educational programs of the parish. It also monitors and evaluates implementation and supports both the school administration and the Faith Formation programs. The commission has nine voting members, with three elected each year for three-year terms, plus non-voting members including the pastor, associate, director of religious education, and school principal. Meetings are held on the second Monday of each month, September through May, in the school library at 7:00 pm, and all parishioners are invited.
Volunteers can serve in many ways: as homeroom parents, classroom helpers, library and lunchroom helpers, parking lot monitors, service project helpers, yearbook helpers, Education Commission or Pastoral Council members, Athletic Association volunteers, Junior Achievement leaders, and STEM Club helpers. To work with children in any capacity, volunteers must complete SafeParish training and a background check through the Archdiocese of Cincinnati program. The Tuition Credit Program gives cash back to every K-8 student at no extra cost to families, with rebates from retailers including Kroger Community Rewards and Amazon Smile and additional local business fundraisers. Over the past five years, school families have received an average tuition credit of $75 per student.
Preschool and Pre-K
St. Dominic offers a Preschool for three- and four-year-olds and a Pre-K program for five-year-olds not yet ready for Kindergarten. The Preschool runs five full days a week from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm, with a welcome letter, program curriculum, financial assistance information, and tips for starting preschool available through the school office.
Admissions and Family Information
All registrations, transfers, and admissions are handled through the principal's office. Catholic children of the parish are eligible for admission, and no pupil is excluded because of race, color, religion, national origin, or ancestry. The admission policy does not rest solely on ability or achievement.
Target enrollment is 20 students per Kindergarten homeroom, 25 per homeroom in grades 1 through 3, and 30 per homeroom in grades 4 through 8. Currently enrolled pupils have first priority, and families must live within parish boundaries or be registered members of the parish to receive the parish subsidy.
Before and After School Care is available for families who need extended hours. Communications between school and home run through the Gradelink system, weekly Parent Press newsletter, and Friday Home/School Envelopes sent home with the youngest child. Parent-Teacher Conferences are scheduled in November and February, with additional conferences available by request.
A Day at St. Dominic
School hours run from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. The school office is open from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday; outside those hours, the parish office is reachable at (513) 471-7741. The school office can be reached at (513) 251-1276, with the principal at jobrien@g.stdominicdelhi.org and the parish office at ParishOffice@stdominicdelhi.org.
The school holds an Open House each January for prospective families, with tours and staff on hand to answer questions about curriculum, extracurricular activities, athletics, and financial aid. The Open House is accessed from the main parking lot off Delhi Pike or Robben Lane.