Jan. 29 through Feb. 4, Pope John Paul II Catholic School joins Catholic educators across the nation in the annual celebration of Catholic Schools Week.

This year marks the 39th anniversary of the celebration, which was first held in 1974.

"Designating a week to celebrate the value of a Catholic education gives us a wonderful opportunity to recognize the students, teachers, parents, parish and community leaders who support our school," says Aimee Viana, PJPII principal. "Our school is thriving, and our success is in large part due to the dynamic people who share their time, energy and talents throughout the year."

The theme for the week is "Catholic Schools: Faith. Academics. Service." It recognizes the scope of a Catholic education. Students who attend Catholic schools are held to high academic standards and experience a curriculum that encourages spiritual growth and a commitment to lifelong service.

Locally, at PJPII Catholic School, outstanding academics, grounded in the spirit and values of the Catholic Church, prepare students for life through faith, service and leadership.

Together with concerned and involved parents, the school is committed to growing knowledgeable, spiritual and respectful young adults who appreciate and respond to the needs of their community.

"We strive to provide students with a strong academic background that will serve as a foundation for their future. But just as important, we work to nurture their spirituality and to foster an enthusiasm for giving back to their families, churches and communities," explains Viana.

PJPII kicks off the week of celebration with a special Open House on Sunday, Jan. 29, from 1 to 3 p.m. During the event, prospective students and their families may participate in school tours and meet the faculty.

Registration for the 2012-2013 school year will open on Jan. 30. Based on the current enrollment and the growing number of inquiries throughout the fall, PJPII anticipates that classes will fill up quickly. Families are encouraged to register early.

Additional events in celebration of National Catholic Schools Week will focus on the students. Planned activities include a classroom door decorating contest, a school-wide bingo game, and a cereal drive for St. Anthony's food pantry.

Also, students will use their creative talents to decorate a hat depicting the life of a particular saint. In addition, they will write and illustrate an essay about their favorite subject at PJPII and draft letters of appreciation for parish priests.

On Thursday, Feb. 2, PJPII students will perform a special concert for the community. It will be held at Sandhills Community College beginning at 7 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public.

"To be successful in life, young people need a broad spectrum of academic experiences in combination with a rich understanding of the world around them. At Pope John Paul II, we provide that and more," notes Rick Kruska, PJPII director of institutional advancement. "Our students receive instruction in subjects ranging from language and history to mathematics, science and computer technology. They also benefit from participating in service activities to foster a community commitment that we hope will continue throughout their lives."

PJPII is fully accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

All classroom teachers are certified by the state of North Carolina. The core curriculum parallels the North Carolina course of study and is augmented by the Diocese of Raleigh.

All students receive foreign language, religious instruction and physical education. The teaching philosophy establishes a strong value-based foundation to resolve issues and challenges with the incorporation of the principles reflected in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Advanced Smart Boards are in every classroom, and a one-to-one computing program is available for middle school students. Extracurric-ular offerings include: choir, drama, LEGO Robotics, sports teams, athletic clubs, and Science Olympiad.

For more information about Pope John Paul II Catholic School, visit www.jp2catholicschool.org or call (910) 692-6241.