Alliance of Catholic Schools - Diocese of Grand Rapids
Diocese of Grand Rapids
Alliance of Catholic Schools Vision Progress Report 2014-2015
Expanding Outstanding Catholic Educational Opportunities Collaboration
Boards of Limited Jurisdiction completed their third year of implementation engaging the talents of community members and broadening the base of ownership and responsibility. Our schools used Common Tools to Standardize Processes including Infinite Campus student management system, Connect Now financial software and a common payroll system.
Stewardship and Sustainability
Parish Support was $1,100 per student (with a $50 annual increase) from parishes without schools, making the parishioner rate of tuition available to ALL Catholic families. The Benchmarks for Sustainability were met. The average parish offertory used to support schools was below 35% (actual 34%) and no more than 50% of the schools’ total revenue came from parish support (actual was also 34%).
Innovation
The Bishop’s Catholic Schools Initiative was launched. In the first year of this three year initiative, we increased affordability through scholarships, grew professional capacity and started planning for future vitality. Three positions were added to the Office of Catholic Schools — an Admissions Enrollment Field Consultant, a Marketing Communications Coordinator, and an Athletic Director for the Grand Rapids Area Catholic Elementary Athletic Council (GRACEAC). A Welcome Scholarship Program was launched in mid-March with success. The scholarship seeks to welcome families who want to experience the Catholic school difference.
Customized Schools The WINGS Instructional Model at Divine Providence Academy continued to gain recognition by national consultants. The school hosted visits from many dioceses working to replicate the model and research student growth success. Sacred Heart of Jesus School transformed itself into Sacred Heart Academy (a classical academy) and enrolled homeschool students for enrichment courses, further deepening the Catholic school opportunities within the diocese.
Revenue Sources (all schools PK-12) Tuition
Parish Support
Development
$22,239,507 (56%)
$9,822,670 (25%)
$7,513,778 (19%)
Scholarships (all schools K-12)
1,895 K-12 students received scholarships. The average award per student was $2,039.
Spring 2015 Elementary MAP Assessment Diocesan Average National Percentile Scores NWEA Measure of Academic Performance
Added Value
2014 High School ACT Assessment
Academic Excellence
• Aquinas College offered courses at West Catholic for college credit under dual enrollment. Expansion of course offerings and locations (to Grand Rapids Catholic Central and Muskegon Catholic Central) will occur in 2015-16. • Our diocese partnered with the Michigan Non-Public School Accrediting Association (MNSAA) to develop and pilot a revised accreditation system based on the National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools. • Science teachers for grades 6-12 participated in professional development with the Van Andel Education Institute (VAEI) to integrate critical inquiry into teaching and learning. K-5 teachers will begin work with the VAEI in 2015-16. • Several schools implemented Disciple of Christ - Education in Virtue™, a Catholic curriculum structured on the teachings of St. Thomas Aquinas regarding the virtues and gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Office of Catholic Schools staff (L to R): Shelley Hofmann, Annalise Kransz, Conrad Cuncannan, David Faber, Jeannie Chastain, Cindy Kendall, Dan Plachta, Ellen Kieras
MISSION IN PRACTICE Faith. Knowledge. Service.
Two students at Portland St. Patrick won $20,000 scholarships for placing in the top 25 nationally in the H & R Block Budget Challenge.
Catholic Central High School broke ground on a new athletic stadium and facilities at the CAT (Cougar Athletic Trails).
During Catholic Schools Week, students made World Mission rosaries for distribution around the world by the diocesan missions office.
The Bishop’s Catholic Schools Initiative was launched, adding additional scholarships and resources for schools in the diocese.
Diocesan High Schools were named to the 5th Annual AP Honor Roll. The diocese was one of 12 diocesan education offices throughout the U.S. and Canada to receive the honor.
David Faber, Superintendent Cindy Kendall, Asst. Superintendent Diocese of Grand Rapids Office of Catholic Schools 360 Division Ave South Grand Rapids, MI 49503 616-246-0590 [email protected] www.CatholicSchools4U.org
Alliance of Catholic Schools Vision Progress Report 2014-2015
Expanding Outstanding Catholic Educational Opportunities Collaboration
Boards of Limited Jurisdiction completed their third year of implementation engaging the talents of community members and broadening the base of ownership and responsibility. Our schools used Common Tools to Standardize Processes including Infinite Campus student management system, Connect Now financial software and a common payroll system.
Stewardship and Sustainability
Parish Support was $1,100 per student (with a $50 annual increase) from parishes without schools, making the parishioner rate of tuition available to ALL Catholic families. The Benchmarks for Sustainability were met. The average parish offertory used to support schools was below 35% (actual 34%) and no more than 50% of the schools’ total revenue came from parish support (actual was also 34%).
Innovation
The Bishop’s Catholic Schools Initiative was launched. In the first year of this three year initiative, we increased affordability through scholarships, grew professional capacity and started planning for future vitality. Three positions were added to the Office of Catholic Schools — an Admissions Enrollment Field Consultant, a Marketing Communications Coordinator, and an Athletic Director for the Grand Rapids Area Catholic Elementary Athletic Council (GRACEAC). A Welcome Scholarship Program was launched in mid-March with success. The scholarship seeks to welcome families who want to experience the Catholic school difference.
Customized Schools The WINGS Instructional Model at Divine Providence Academy continued to gain recognition by national consultants. The school hosted visits from many dioceses working to replicate the model and research student growth success. Sacred Heart of Jesus School transformed itself into Sacred Heart Academy (a classical academy) and enrolled homeschool students for enrichment courses, further deepening the Catholic school opportunities within the diocese.
Revenue Sources (all schools PK-12) Tuition
Parish Support
Development
$22,239,507 (56%)
$9,822,670 (25%)
$7,513,778 (19%)
Scholarships (all schools K-12)
1,895 K-12 students received scholarships. The average award per student was $2,039.
Spring 2015 Elementary MAP Assessment Diocesan Average National Percentile Scores NWEA Measure of Academic Performance
Added Value
2014 High School ACT Assessment
Academic Excellence
• Aquinas College offered courses at West Catholic for college credit under dual enrollment. Expansion of course offerings and locations (to Grand Rapids Catholic Central and Muskegon Catholic Central) will occur in 2015-16. • Our diocese partnered with the Michigan Non-Public School Accrediting Association (MNSAA) to develop and pilot a revised accreditation system based on the National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools. • Science teachers for grades 6-12 participated in professional development with the Van Andel Education Institute (VAEI) to integrate critical inquiry into teaching and learning. K-5 teachers will begin work with the VAEI in 2015-16. • Several schools implemented Disciple of Christ - Education in Virtue™, a Catholic curriculum structured on the teachings of St. Thomas Aquinas regarding the virtues and gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Office of Catholic Schools staff (L to R): Shelley Hofmann, Annalise Kransz, Conrad Cuncannan, David Faber, Jeannie Chastain, Cindy Kendall, Dan Plachta, Ellen Kieras
MISSION IN PRACTICE Faith. Knowledge. Service.
Two students at Portland St. Patrick won $20,000 scholarships for placing in the top 25 nationally in the H & R Block Budget Challenge.
Catholic Central High School broke ground on a new athletic stadium and facilities at the CAT (Cougar Athletic Trails).
During Catholic Schools Week, students made World Mission rosaries for distribution around the world by the diocesan missions office.
The Bishop’s Catholic Schools Initiative was launched, adding additional scholarships and resources for schools in the diocese.
Diocesan High Schools were named to the 5th Annual AP Honor Roll. The diocese was one of 12 diocesan education offices throughout the U.S. and Canada to receive the honor.
David Faber, Superintendent Cindy Kendall, Asst. Superintendent Diocese of Grand Rapids Office of Catholic Schools 360 Division Ave South Grand Rapids, MI 49503 616-246-0590 [email protected] www.CatholicSchools4U.org
