Investing in Our Catholic Schools
As Catholics, we must be proud of the fact that we have educated millions upon millions of Americans in our schools…giving countless children from immigrant and working-class families an excellent education…This is not just a philanthropic enterprise; it is rather an extension of the Christ.” - Cardinal Seán O'Malley
Catholic schools are the largest and oldest private educational system in the U.S., educating 1.79 million students nationally. Studies show that for children in urban communities, especially those who come from families with low incomes, Catholic education is the best educational choice. Catholic educated students do better academically than their peers, and are more likely to achieve their potential because they complete elementary school, graduate from high school and go to college.
|
32,661
Students enrolled
|
110
Catholic elementary
and high schools |
60%
Catholic schools located
in urban settings |
$539M
Annual savings to Massachusetts taxpayers
|
During this past decade, our Cardinal made a commitment to the revitalization of our Catholic schools – to fulfill the Catholic Church’s mission to provide a strong education to all, address some of the pressing issues facing urban communities, and serve to develop the future Catholic faithful. Many business leaders, educators, religious sisters, and clergy responded to this call and collaborated to invest in more scholarships and establish new regional school models.
At this juncture, while our 110 Catholic elementary and secondary schools have a lot to celebrate,we still face persistent challenges. These include continuing demographic and population shifts, annual cost increases for personnel and facilities, technology upgrade requirements, program improvements, and most important, retaining and attracting superior principals and teachers.
To ensure that Catholic education is available to all parents and their children requires an increasing investment and is why it is at the forefront of the Cardinal’s Inspiring Hope campaign. The Cardinal has outlined several specific areas and programs that need immediate attention to achieve long-term educational and community growth and success.
At this juncture, while our 110 Catholic elementary and secondary schools have a lot to celebrate,we still face persistent challenges. These include continuing demographic and population shifts, annual cost increases for personnel and facilities, technology upgrade requirements, program improvements, and most important, retaining and attracting superior principals and teachers.
To ensure that Catholic education is available to all parents and their children requires an increasing investment and is why it is at the forefront of the Cardinal’s Inspiring Hope campaign. The Cardinal has outlined several specific areas and programs that need immediate attention to achieve long-term educational and community growth and success.
Principal and Teacher Fund: $10.0M
Program
The Principal and Teacher Fund will help us hire, retain, and further train superior faculty and staff and ensure continued spiritual and academic excellence.
- Aspiring Leaders Program, which will provide leadership training for selected teachers to move into faculty leadership roles and assign aspiring assistant principals with our best leaders.
- The Teacher Excellence Initiative will provide instructional coaches and mentors for teachers to help them improve the quality of classroom instruction and enhance the use of data to drive instructional improvements.
School Initiatives Fund: $15.0M
Program
This Fund will provide multi-year grants to schools for initiatives to expand and strengthen the Catholic education programs in their schools.
- Restructured school governance models so schools stay strong and academically competitive for all the students and families they serve
- Investment in technology and social media so schools can develop effective digital media presence and outreach, and initiatives that improve technology for stronger instruction leading to stronger academics
- Stronger enrollment marketing and scholarship support in a fast-changing competitive educational environment,including outreach to more ethnic communities
- Differentiated curricula, including special education, math and language immersion programs
- New teacher residence programs for Catholic school educators who will live in community and work at Catholic schools
School Capital Improvement Fund: $10.0M
Capital
This Fund will offer matching grants to schools that have initiated their own capital improvement campaigns. Funding will assist schools with new construction or deferred maintenance projects. Schools may apply for matching grants of:
- Up to 25% of total funds raised for general capital improvements
- Up to 75% of total funds raised for capital improvements and equipment to establish or expand early childhood programs.
