Charlene Paparizos, Community Contributor

St. Michael School, a Catholic elementary school in the Diocese of Cleveland, was organized in the 1870’s. The school educates children from preschool through eighth grade. Enrollment for the 2015-16 year is 391 students. St. Michael School/Parish in Independence and St. Basil the Great Parish in Brecksville developed a partnership that allows its younger students to be taught at the Education Center at St. Basil. This Early Childhood Learning Center is now home to the St. Michael School preschool (3’s and 4’s), Jr. Kindergarten (young 5’s), kindergarten, and first grade. The main campus in Independence educates students in grades two through eight. St. Michael School draws children from 19 different communities, including Independence, Brecksville, Broadview Heights, Seven Hills, Garfield Heights, Walton Hills, and surrounding communities.