Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Archdiocese of Indianapolis
As a lifelong Southsider I had the privilege of attending two quality archdiocesan schools from first grade through my senior year. The friendships developed, the lessons learned and the experiences had serve as the foundation upon which I am now equipped to serve the community as an educational leader and a faithful citizen.
My story is not unique – it is shared with hundreds of thousands of other graduates of our Southside Catholic schools.
With many strong private, public and charter school options available, one might ask what makes our schools exceptional. Each has its special niches, yet they share four major commonalities:
• Shared mission and Catholic identity – These schools recognize that each person is made in the image and likeness of Christ. Their doors are open to all who desire a quality Catholic education regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender and socio-economic status.
• Academic excellence – Our schools’ focus remains on the growth and achievement of every young person we serve. Recognizing parents as the first educators, Catholic schools partner to help youth grow spiritually, socially, emotionally, intellectually and physically. With ISTEP+ scores higher than state averages at every grade level and continued excellence illustrated by other measures of performance (such as IREAD, SAT, and ACT), our students are challenged and supported as we maximize their capacity in preparation for college, careers and heaven.
• Quality leadership/governance – Our schools appreciate the value of local autonomy while having the broader support of archdiocesan offices and the network of Catholic schools. With lay leaders from the community serving on school boards and commissions in an advisory capacity, these school leaders are provided supports intended to directly impact youth in positive ways.
• Operational vitality – Given the commitment to excellence and rigor, these Catholic schools responsibly approach personnel, financial and operational decisions in a way that puts children first and fortifies long-term viability for generations to come. Their cost per student, on average, is significantly lower than that of public and charter sectors, and the youth and families they serve are the direct beneficiaries of the resources secured.
To learn more about a Catholic school in your area, visit http://oce.archindy.org/.