A Boca Raton Catholic School succeeded in transitioning to online education in response to school closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

St. Joan of Arc Catholic School has been conducting virtual instruction since March 31 as part of the Diocese of Palm Beach Schools’ initiative.

Initially, the school at located at 501 SW Third Ave. was to be closed through April 15 along with all other Diocese campuses.

The school now will be closed through May 1 “or until further notice,” St. Joan of Arc Catholic School announced in its April 9 newsletter.

The Diocese of Palm Beach Office of Catholic Schools Notification dated March 31

St. Joan of Arc Catholic School Principal Caroline Roberts said to parents in the April 9 newsletter that she was proud of everyone for helping each other maintain high standards as they completed the second week of virtual learning.

“Overall, teachers perceive the students and families are developing routines and getting used to Google Classroom,” Roberts said in the newsletter. “Teachers expressed that they are getting better at determining the appropriate balance of work to assign."

She said parents let her know they thought assignments were easier to find, students were getting better accessing online resources and classrooms (including remembering passwords) and they were more proficient and independent in uploading assignments.

Roberts said that younger students enjoy the smaller virtual lessons and some quiet students have “an even stronger voice during virtual lessons.”

St. Joan of Arc Catholic School was designated in 2005 a U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School of Academic Excellence. The department’s program recognizes schools “based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups,” the U.S. Department of Education said.