The Campaign for Catholic Schools: a turnaround in progress.
Championed by Cardinal Seán O’Malley and chaired by Jack Connors Jr., the 2010 Initiative for Catholic Education was established in 2005 to rebuild and strengthen the schools of the Boston Archdiocese. A committee of educators, clergy, civic and business leaders developed a strategic plan based on extensive study and research.
The resulting recommendations are being implemented by the Campaign for Catholic Schools. These include significant systemic changes that address major needs and provide a new way of operating that will ensure that our Catholic schools thrive now and into the future.
For more than a century, Catholic schools have been providing children of all faiths with an exceptional, values-based education. Today, Catholic school students test higher, stay in school, graduate from high school (99%), and go on to higher education (97%), with many becoming outstanding leaders in our communities.
Despite their success, our Catholic schools need your help.
As it is nationally, Catholic education in Greater Boston is at a crossroads. Due to shifting populations, enrollments are down. At many schools, the buildings, faculty, educational curriculum and technology need significant improvements to keep pace with our fast-changing world.
The result—A new model of Catholic elementary education.
“This is not business as usual; we have a comprehensive approach, spending time and money on new curriculum, renovated buildings, better teacher salaries, and a new model of regional schools that will mean stronger, better-financed Catholic schools—even if they are fewer in number.” –Jack Connors, Jr.
Focusing primarily on urban elementary education, the Campaign for Catholic Schools has begun implementing this new model of Catholic education, including an entirely new method of governance that includes major lay participation on boards, dramatic improvements in academic and faith formation curricula, the integration of technology at all grade levels, better teacher compensation and professional development, and renewed facilities and infrastructure. Once we transform the schools, our work is not done. Ongoing support is needed to sustain our schools so they are strong long into the future.
Our goals are ambitious, yet necessary. We need your help.
Please join others in the effort to improve and sustain our Catholic schools for the children of Greater Boston.
Our current priorities include:
- $70 million to help establish the new five-campus Pope John Paul II Catholic Academy serving Dorchester/Mattapan.
- $2.2 million remains to be raised to complete the campaign for Trinity Catholic Academy in Brockton
- $5 million to renovate and upgrade St. Ann School Gloucester, the only Catholic elementary school in the Cape Ann area of Massachusetts' North Shore.
- $201,000 for new curriculum materials and textbooks, whiteboards and a video security system at the newly established South Boston Catholic Academy
Additional Catholic schools projects are being identified for future funding. If you'd like to make a gift to advance Catholic education in the Archdiocese or would like more information, please visit our website at http://www.campaignforcatholicschools.org or we welcome your call at 617-262-5600.
Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley
“The mission of the Catholic Schools has been one rooted in humanity: to provide children of all backgrounds an opportunity to learn within a faith-filled and value-based environment. Through an open and inclusive process that draws on the collective talents of outside experts and significant resources already here, we have the opportunity to chart a path that will greatly strengthen and enhance our Catholic schools.”
Jack Connors, Chair of the 2010 Strategic Planning Committee
“Cardinal Seán has focused the collective energies, talent and expertise of an impressive group of people dedicated to making our Catholic schools world class. The Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Boston play a vital role in our community. I can think of no more important mission than ensuring that our young people – regardless of their financial status -- have access to high-quality, values-based education.”