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rooted in faith - forward in hope
Catholic Education Projects
Recent Updates:
Catholic Schools Endowment Update
Pope John Paul the Great High School Homepage
catholic education
Catholic education and formation are indispensable in the life of each of us, and the Diocese of Arlington has taken action through a variety of outreaches to provide the faithful of the diocese with various means to form their consciences. Through Catholic schools, religious education programs, youth ministry outreach, RCIA, and continuing adult education classes, the men, women, and children of the Diocese of Arlington have many opportunities to be educated and are empowered to model their principles in the teachings of Christ so that they may be leaven in society.
New Catholic High School Construction – $25,000,000
Many parents in our region are yearning for additional Catholic high schools to provide their children with a faith-based education and the individualized attention that will enable them to excel. The Diocese of Arlington currently operates three Catholic high schools with a total enrollment of nearly 4,000 students, and unfortunately must turn down thousands of applicants due to the schools’ space limitations. There are 34 parish elementary schools that educate approximately 14,000 students in kindergarten through eighth grade. A great majority of the elementary schools are filled to capacity. In addition, three new parish elementary schools are currently being developed.
In the spring of 2001, the diocese retained a leading consulting firm to study the demographic trends, prevalent attitudes, and the need for Catholic high schools well into the next several decades. The results, from nearly 3,000 parents participating, indicated that thousands of children do not have access to a Catholic high school education, and that there is a great demand for additional Catholic secondary schools in several outlying counties of the diocese. The report indicated that thousands of parents would prefer to send their children to a Catholic high school if there were one available in their area.
Compelled to address this great current need, the diocese has designed a unique plan to facilitate the construction of new high schools. Through this plan a total of $25,000,000 will be raised philanthropically in this campaign with the construction costs generated through the issuance of bonds and conventional borrowing.
The diocese plans to open the first new secondary school, Pope John Paul the Great in 2008 with a capacity for 1,000 students. It will serve the growing number of students in Prince William County and southern areas of the diocese.
Catholic Schools
Endowment –$12,500,000
Bishop Loverde believes our Catholic schools must be top rated schools. We have a desire to offer Catholic School education to as many young people as possible. Much has been accomplished in the last five years in upgrading the facilities at our elementary and high schools, but there is still much to be done. Our Catholic schools continue to provide quality education at a lower cost per pupil than do local public schools. These schools seek to keep costs down with effective use of facilities, dedicated teachers, and minimal administrative costs.
However, operating costs have increased dramatically in recent years and our teachers and administrators must be compensated in accord with their professional status and service to the community. This has made tuition increases an annual necessity. As a result, many parents find it harder to meet escalating tuition costs. In addition, the diocese needs to offer Catholic schoolteachers continuing educational opportunities to enhance their skills and best teach our children. A new source of funding is needed so that our schools may continue to flourish.Two newly created endowment funds are necessary to provide the diocese with an additional revenue source to strengthen our Catholic schools and renew their commitment to all members of the community.
• A minimum of $10 million was allotted to establish an endowment for tuition assistance aimed at low and middle-income families. Annual earnings will be used to initiate a new program of tuition assistance for Catholic elementary and secondary schools. This will serve to protect, support, and enhance diversity in our schools.
• A $2.5 million endowment for a Faculty Development was created. Revenue from this endowment will be used for continuing education programs and professional development workshops for Catholic schoolteachers. With this endowment, the diocese will continue to invest in those who have dedicated their lives to teach in our Catholic schools and pass along our faith.
Catechetics – $2,000,000
Through our campaign, the diocese established a $2,000,000 endowment for the Office of Catechetics. A priority of the office is to establish a distance learning program for catechists, including instruction via the Internet, video conferencing, and enhancement of the master catechists program to provide regional training that will be made available in all twenty-one counties of the diocese.
The newly created endowment will dedicate a portion of its funds to create a program that will provide partial financial assistance for religious educators who wish to acquire a graduate level degree.
Youth Ministry -$500,000
There are over 10,000 junior high and high school aged youth continuing their spiritual formation after Confirmation in our parishes. Through our campaign, the diocese created an endowment dedicated to the continuing education of those parish leaders involved in youth ministry. Revenue generated from this fund will be available to assist youth ministers in establishing more meaningful programs and attracting and enriching young people. A minimum of $500,000 will be dedicated to the Youth Ministry Endowment that will generate annual funds for this area.