- Catholic Schools - Vision

 
 

THE “FUTURE” is a nebulous concept; part bricks and mortar, part vision, part commitment, part hopes and dreams.  It is a curious blend of the abstract and the concrete, a combination of good luck and good planning.

            When the Catholic schools of the Diocese of Pittsburgh speak about “Building the Future,” however, there is an added dimension.  We are promising to make that future as bright as possible for the thousands of students whose families have chosen Catholic education.  In our Catholic schools, that bright future does not just “happen.”  We plan for it, build for it, welcome it, and offer it to our students and the community.  We have been dong it successfully for 180 years.

We Build on Faith
The spiritual dimension of humankind is at the heart of our Catholic schools, belief in a benevolent Creator who calls us to love one another both in theory and in action.  This element is visible every day in the way our students interact and the way they serve.  The uncountable hours of service our students provide for each other and for the community are not a way to “keep score;” they are simply the reflection of the desire to do the Will of God.

            We seek to develop in our students a strong moral sense and the strength to adhere to it.  We strive to develop clear values and the willingness to reflect them in daily living.

            It is not enough to “just say no” to the negative forces that often surround our schools and our culture; our students are also taught to say “yes” to Christ’s invitation to, “Love one another as I have loved you.”  Thus spiritual growth, moral clarity, and strong values help define our vision of the future.

We Build on Excellence
Achievement is almost taken for granted in our Catholic Schools – but not quite.  Excellence is not an accident, it is an expectation.  Our students are challenged to commit themselves to achieve at the highest level of which they are capable, and they are supported in this quest by their families, their parishes, and their communities.

            For example, in 2008, our average sixth grader scored at the 10.8 level in reading, and our eighth graders scored at the 12.9 level.  (The national norms were 6.7 and 8.7 respectively.)  The scores for math and other subjects were similar.

            This performance on standardized tests – achievement far above the national norms – is indicative of a commitment to excellence.  More satisfying, however, is the fact that our “at risk” students achieve at an equivalent high level and at a similar rate.  To continue that excellence, our elementary schools are currently undergoing their third round of re-accreditation, joining our secondary schools to form a district fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Elementary and Secondary Schools.

            Whether anecdotal, statistical, or descriptive, all indicators show that we are meeting the promise of a future built on excellence.

We Build on Tradition
            There was a time when, as a new parish was created, the school was opened before the church itself was completed, often at great sacrifice.  While the building of both churches and schools has slowed, the willingness to sacrifice and to build remains.  Many of our parishes and schools have completed construction on a variety of projects; others have building plans underway.  The recently formed St. Kilian parish already has opened a new elementary school!

            Of the twelve high schools within the diocese, seven have completed or are completing major construction projects and several are in the planning stages for major physical improvements.  North Catholic High School contemplates creating an entirely new campus.

            Sacrificing for bricks and mortar, however, is not our only tradition.  There is the tradition of committed and well-prepared teachers and administrators, many of them educated in our own schools, willing to pursue both state and diocesan certification because it adds an extra dimension to the future.

            There is the tradition of support provided by the entire Catholic community, reinforcing the messages we give our students, willing to show their support with millions of dollars in tuition aid to our families.

            There is the tradition of diversity reflected not only in our enrollments and programming – witness the successes of the Extra Mile Foundation Schools, St. Anthony Programs, and the Crossroads Foundation – but also in a success that parallels the achievements of our “typical” students.

Building the Future
The “future” will happen, whether by intention or by accident.  We can help shape it, but we cannot control it.  It is built on promises but rooted in performance and preparation.  Our students will be prepared when the time comes to assume the mantle of leadership.  They will perform well the tasks of citizenship.

            Excellence is a commitment that pays a clear dividend.  The Catholic schools of the Diocese of Pittsburgh offer that dividend as a gift to our students, our community, and to the future.

Academic Achievement
The results of the recent testing, which are presented here, show that, as a group, students who attend our Catholic schools performed above national norms in all subject areas.  The sample to establish the national norms comprised a large number of students and took into account such factors as geographical location, school population, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity and public, parochial and private schools.