Antonette Aguilera brings with her over 25 years of teaching experience, from elementary education to college and the post-graduate level. She began as a 3rd-grade teacher just outside of Los Angeles, California, and has served St. Pius X Catholic School as assistant principal since 2018. In addition to her love for children and for teaching, her fervent dedication to education advocacy and law has been a driving force in her career. “As someone who has been shaped by Catholic education, the mission of Catholic schools resonates deeply. I believe in nurturing in our students a lasting relationship with Christ and an appreciation for the profound beauty of our Gospel teachings.”
Aguilera holds a Bachelor of Arts from California Polytechnic University, a Juris Doctor degree from Western State University, a Master of Laws from the University of London, and a master’s degree in educational administration from Liberty University. She has a passion for the arts, enjoys cooking (especially foods of her native country - Italy), and delights in time spent with family, near and abroad.
An avid traveler, she loves the mountains and adores the sea.
Regarding her new role at St. Pius X, she stated, "We are fortunate to have an exceptionally loving, talented, and committed staff. I am deeply grateful for the privilege of knowing and collaborating with each of them, and I am fully devoted to supporting their outstanding contributions. St. Pius X Catholic School holds a special place as a vital community asset. I look forward to furthering our legacy of distinction."
Unit Leaders
Unit Leaders are dedicated full-time teachers with extensive experience and expertise. They oversee grade-level units across the school and collaborate closely with the principal in managing school administration.
![]() April Parker | ![]() | April Parker, April Parker is a teacher of over 25 years in both public and private elementary and middle school. April holds bachelor's and master's degrees in elementary education from High Point University. April has taught grades K-5, as well as being an adjunct professor at Salem College in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. April is currently the Director of Curriculum and Instruction at St. Pius X Catholic School. April is not only an educator but also a published author. She published her first young adult historical novel in 2005 titled Watching the Innocent. Parker has gone on to publish articles in magazines such as “Our State,” “The Mailbox Magazine,” and “The Catholic News and Herald.” She has also collaborated on several educational books with The Education Company and Carson Delosa. April’s goals are to complete her PhD in curriculum and instruction, with a specific focus on reading instruction and children’s literature, and to write more educational materials for students and teachers. |
![]() Kristin “Coach” Shelton | Kristin “Coach” Shelton Coach Shelton graduated from Guilford College with a Bachelor of Science degree and a minor in Physical Education. While at Guilford College, she captained the women’s basketball team and played on the women’s soccer team. Coach Shelton became the PE teacher at Saint Pius X in 1999 and has never looked back. She is also the athletic director, varsity girl’s basketball coach, JV boy’s basketball coach, and track coach, and most recently she was elected as the PECSAA Conference’s Co-League Commissioner. Coach Shelton says, “Saint Pius X is a second home to me. I love the program I have helped build here, and I am grateful for all of the opportunities I have been given to coach and lead at Saint Pius. I look forward to another year working with and inspiring our SPX Comets in a program that helps foster leadership, team work, and sportsmanship. There’s no place I’d rather be!”
| |
![]() Rob York | Rob York, Music and Arts Program Leader | |
![]() Cathy Strader | Cathy Strader, Mrs. Strader earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Western Oregon University and a Master of Arts in Educational Policy and Administration from Portland State University. Mrs. Strader holds teaching and administrative certifications in North Carolina, Washington State, and Oregon and is National Board Certified in Literacy: Reading-Language Arts for Early and Middle Childhood. She has over 25 years of teaching and educational leadership experience and has taught in almost every grade level from PreK to 8th grade. Mrs. Strader also served 4 years as a Catholic school principal in the Archdiocese of Seattle. She is currently one of the first grade teachers in the Saint Pius community. Mrs. Strader is passionate about helping children develop a love of learning as they strive to know God and serve others. Serving as unit leader, she looks forward to collaborating with teachers, staff, and parents to strengthen God’s Kingdom on earth. | |
![]() Janine Lyon | Janine Lyon, Mrs. Lyon has been a third grade teacher at St. Pius X for 21 years. Prior to coming to SPX, she was a public school teacher in Guilford County Schools for 15 years, teaching kindergarten and first grade. Originally from Pennsylvania, Lyon graduated from Clarion University in Clarion, PA. She has been married to her husband Rick for 37 years. They have two boys, Zac and Nick, and one Mrs. Lyon says, “I truly enjoy teaching, and I am glad that I am an SPX Comet!” | |
![]() Maria Bliss | Maria Bliss, Mrs. Bliss has been an educator for the past 18 years, teaching in both public and private schools. She began her teaching career as a Pre-K teacher in Providence, RI. After relocating here in 2005, Mrs. Bliss finished her education at Guilford College, where she obtained bachelor’s degrees in Education and Psychology. She began her elementary school teaching career with 4th and 5th grade in Guilford County Schools and then transitioned to St. Pius, where she has been for the last 11 years. Mrs. Bliss knows the importance of a Catholic education, as both of her daughters are alumni of St. Pius and Bishop McGuinness High School. Mrs. Bliss says, "St. Pius is more than a job to me, it is a calling. I am called to not only teach our students academics but also teach them the importance of following Christ. The faculty and staff of our school are more than colleagues to me, they are family. I am very lucky to be a part of this tremendous school and parish.” | |
![]() Maite Elizondo | Maite Elizondo, Señora Elizondo is originally from Mexico City and was raised in Tijuana, B.C. Mexico, which is on the border with San Diego, CA. She attended elementary school with the Carmelite Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and junior high and high school with the Marist Brothers. Señora Elizondo holds a bachelor’s degree in public accounting from the Autonomous University of Baja, California. Prior to coming to St. Pius X, she was the Spanish Program Coordinator at St. Rose of Lima Catholic School in Murfreesboro, TN. At St. Pius X, she teaches 5th-8th grade Spanish. Señora Elizondo says, “It is a privilege to accompany the students along their cultural journey.” |
Tradition of Excellence
St. Pius X has a rich history of academic excellence and tradition, with a curriculum that has been thoughtfully engineered to empower and stimulate young minds as they develop in a warm, creative environment.
Areas of Study
All students receive instruction in Religious Education, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, English and Language Arts, Physical Education, Art, Spanish, Technology, Music, and Library/Information and Research.
School Year
The school year is divided into three trimesters with mid-trimester and end of trimester reporting periods.
The school day is from 8:10 a.m. until 3:10 p.m. An Extended Day Program is offered to Pre-K through 8th-grade students before and after school.
Accreditation
Saint Pius X Catholic School is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools-Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS-CASI), an accreditation division of AdvancED. The Diocese of Charlotte is the governing authority.
Student Enrollment
- Girls: 219
- Boys: 224
- Total Enrolled: 443
- Catholic: 78%
- Other Faiths: 22%
Student to Teacher Ratio
- 8:1 (PK and K)
- 9:1 (1-8)
HOT LUNCH PROGRAM
St. Pius partners with local restaurants to offer students the opportunity to purchase lunch. We focus our lunch selections to healthy and delicious choices for children. Parents are able to order lunch for their child online, and the school cafeteria is staffed by parent volunteers.
Academic Enrichment
Each child is unique, and no two children learn in the same way. St. Pius X has an Academic Enrichment Program available for students with identified learning differences.
Our Academic Enrichment program comprises two teachers and one instructional assistant who assist students in elementary and middle grades. Academic Enrichment educators work with students and parents to create Student Accommodation Plans (SAP) for students who have learning disorders or other medical or physiological needs. Once an SAP is created for a child, they may receive services in the form of test and assignment modification, one-on-one work with an Academic Enrichment teacher in our dedicated Academic Enrichment Center, or preferential seating in class.
We want your child to love learning. Please do not hesitate to reach out to discuss your child's specific needs and how we can best support and challenge your child at his/her individual level.
Traditions
- Weekly Mass and Prayer Services (K-8)
- Prayer Buddies
- Fall Back-to-School Festival
- Book Fair
- Pumpkin Festival and Halloween Parade
- Middle School Nights Out
- PTO “Catch a Comet” Fun Run
- Veterans Day Mass and Reception
- St. Nicholas Day Celebration
- Christmas Program (PK-8) and Living Nativity
- Biennial Gala and Auction
- Catholic Schools Week Celebration
- 2nd Grade First Reconciliation and First Communion
- Mardi Gras Parade and Celebration
- St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
- Stations of the Cross
- Middle School and Elementary Musicals
- 4th Grade NC Festival and a trip to Raleigh
- Music and Arts Showcase night
- STEM night
- Band and Choir Competition at Carowinds
- May Crowning Mass
- Grandparents/Special Persons Day
- Living Rosary
- Field Day (PK-5)
- 8th Grade Confirmation
- 8th Grade Graduation Mass and Celebration
.jpg)
but especially on their birthday.