Catholic Schools Week, which was celebrated nationally this week, will be honored in our diocesan schools in a variety of ways this coming week, as a result of the weather.

There is a lot to celebrate and be proud of in the schools of the diocese.

All four diocesan high schools recently received various designations from the College Board for student participation in and success on Advanced Placement tests. AP tests are often used as a gauge for collegiate acceptance and success.

  • PLATINUM: Bishop O’Connell Catholic High School, Arlington
  • GOLD: Bishop Ireton Catholic High School, Alexandria, and Saint John Paul the Great Catholic High School, Potomac Shores
  • SILVER: Saint Paul VI Catholic High School, Chantilly

There are now nine schools in the diocese designated as Purple Star Schools by the Virginia Department of Education. Purple Star Schools have demonstrated a strong commitment to serving military families, who often face specific challenges such as regular moves (sometimes mid-year) and long separations.

  • Cathedral of St. Thomas More Catholic School, Arlington
  • Holy Spirit Catholic School, Annadale
  • Our Lady of Hope Catholic School, Potomac Falls
  • St Bernadette Catholic School, Springfield
  • St Francis Catholic School, Triangle
  • Saint John Paul the Great Catholic High School, Potomac Shores
  • Saint Louis Catholic School, Alexandria 
  • St Rita Catholic School, Alexandria
  • St Thomas Aquinas Regional Catholic School, Woodbridge

Additionally, four schools have been recognized by the Cardinal Newman Society as exceptional in Catholic education.  They include:

  • Saint John Paul the Great Catholic High School, Potomac Shores
  • St Rita Catholic School, Alexandria
  • St William of York Catholic School, Dumfries
  • Seton School, Manassas

During the week, schools will host events recognizing diocesan priests, women religious and seminarians.  The Catholic Diocese of Arlington has a robust vocations program and nearly 300 priests serving in our community.

None of this would be possible without the sacrifices of parents, who are the primary educators, and teachers who work tirelessly to provide a Christ-centered, rigorous and joyful learning experience for their students.

“Our Catholic schools are defined by our strong Catholic identity, high academic standards, and humble service in imitation of Jesus,” said Bishop Michael F. Burbidge. “In partnership with our parents, who the Church reminds us always remain the primary educators of their children, our schools educate the whole child — mind, body, and spirit.

I am truly inspired by the ways in which our teachers, faculty, and staff embrace their calling to serve the needs of every student.”

Dr. Joseph E. Vorbach III, superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Arlington, shared Bishop Burbidge’s enthusiasm and gratitude, noting that Catholic Schools Week “is a chance to celebrate the rich past and hopeful future of Catholic education in the United States, a beautiful story marked by unity of effort to preserve and pass on the Faith while forming Catholic citizens who will contribute to the vitality of their communities.”

Watch this video, which showcases many of the good things going on in our diocesan schools.

Area Catholic schools have many events planned for the week of February 1-February 7.  Media interested in touring some of our schools should reach out to Mary Shaffrey, director of media relations for the Catholic Diocese of Arlington, [email protected] OR 703-841-2517.

Looking ahead: The Catholic Diocese of Arlington will host a job fair for teachers interested in joining one of our more than 50 schools for the 2026-27 school year on March 21 at St Bernadette Catholic School in Springfield. 

Teachers with one year of service receive excellent benefits, which include eight weeks of paid time off for family leave, as well as up to 10 days of bereavement leave for the loss of a loved one, including a child lost in miscarriage.

Career switchers, those who may not have previous classroom experience but are interested in becoming a teacher, are encouraged to attend.  Please watch this video specifically for those individuals who are considering a move to teaching.