How St. Victor School Builds a Lifelong Love of Reading

From preschool storytime to weekly library visits, St. Victor School creates joyful spaces where children discover books they love — nurturing lifelong learners, one story at a time.

At St. Victor School — a private Catholic school in San Jose’s Berryessa neighborhood — we know that one small habit can spark a lifetime of learning. That’s why we’re embracing a powerful idea from Scholastic: just 20 minutes of reading each week can transform a child’s confidence, curiosity, and love for learning. (Read the article here ›)

As part of our Student Learning Expectations, every St. Victor graduate is called to be a Lifelong Learner — someone who approaches the world with curiosity, creativity, and a love of discovery. Fostering that mindset starts early in our preschool and elementary grades, where learning is balanced with joy, play, and exploration.

Every Charger has a story in hand! Each week, every class visits the library to explore, discover, and check out books — ensuring no student is ever without something to read.

What It Means to Be A Charger

To be a Charger means embracing curiosity, imagination, and a lifelong love of learning. Reading is at the heart of that journey. From preschool storytime to mindful classroom reading and weekly library visits, our students discover that books are more than assignments — they’re gateways to wonder, empathy, and growth.

Chargers read not just to learn, but to dream, explore, and become the leaders God calls them to be.

📚 How We Build a Love for Reading

• Reading from the Start: In our preschool and kindergarten programs, storytime with teachers is a daily joy — and the only “homework” is reading together as a family. It’s the foundation of strong literacy skills and a lifelong love of learning.

• Mindful Moments in the Classroom: Many of our teachers invite students to read quietly after recess or lunch as a mindfulness exercise, helping them refocus and center themselves for the rest of the school day.

• Books Everywhere: Every classroom is outfitted with its own class library, and students also visit our on-campus library each week. With so many choices, children discover books that spark their imagination.

• Choice & Joy: From picture books to chapter books, we encourage students to pick stories that interest them. When reading is fun, it builds confidence, vocabulary, and a positive association with learning.

• In Partnership with Parents: At St. Victor, we know a love of reading begins at home. We rely on parents to help lay that foundation and continue nurturing it — because together, in partnership, we raise children who will be lifelong learners.

Every Charger has a story to tell. We foster creativity and confidence so students see themselves as authors, thinkers, and lifelong learners.

Partnership with parents comes to life when families step into the classroom. Together, we nurture confident readers and joyful learners.

At St. Victor School, we balance strong academics with playtime, joy, and wonder. Families looking for a safe, nurturing environment where children are challenged, supported, and celebrated will find it here in San Jose’s Berryessa community. Here, reading isn’t just a subject — it’s a celebration. Because when your child becomes a Charger, they don’t just learn to read…they learn to love learning.