Catholic Diocese of Arlington Celebrates Catholic Schools Week

Highlights Unique Role of Catholic Schools in Promoting Catholic Identity and Providing Exceptional Instruction Rooted in Catholic Faith 

ARLINGTON, Va. - Yesterday, January 26, 2020, the Catholic Diocese of Arlington began celebrating National Catholic Schools Week (January 26 - February 1). The annual celebration, sponsored by the National Catholic Educational Association, is meant to highlight the unique role of Catholic schools in providing exceptional instruction rooted in the Catholic Faith. This year's theme is “Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.”

“Catholic schools in the Diocese of Arlington are known for their strong Catholic identity and excellence in education. When I visit our schools, I witness inspiring and beautiful communities of faith,” said Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, Diocese of Arlington. “Children are thriving because our teachers and administrators are focused on promoting Catholic identity and faithfully dedicated to their vocation. By their example as Gospel witnesses, our Catholic educators help our students to grow in love of God and knowledge of their faith, while being encouraged to use their gifts to glorify the Lord and serve our brothers and sisters in most need.” 

See Bishop Burbidge's message for Catholic Schools Week here.

Bishop Burbidge will celebrate Mass, visit classrooms and share a meal with faculty at the following schools during Catholic Schools Week:

St. Francis of Assisi School (Pre-K-8^th Grade)
Monday, January 27, 2020
9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
18825 Fuller Heights Rd. 
Triangle, Va.

Queen of Apostles School (Pre-K-8^th Grade)
Tuesday, January 28, 2020
9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
4409 Sano St.
Alexandria, Va.

Paul VI High School (9^th-12^th Grade)
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
10675 Fairfax Blvd.
Fairfax, Va.

(Interested media must RSVP to Amber Roseboom, Director of Media Relations, Diocese of Arlington at Amber.Roseboom@arlingtondiocese.org for credentials.)

“Catholic Schools week is an exciting opportunity to celebrate the continued blessing of Catholic education in our Diocese,” said Dr. Joseph Vorbach III, Superintendent of Catholic Schools. “Throughout the week, special programs and celebrations are planned to highlight the rich opportunities to grow in faith and knowledge that exist in Catholic education.”

The Diocese has 37 parish (K-8) schools, four diocesan high schools, four independent Catholic schools and five free-standing (not connected with a parish school) pre-schools, serving more than 17,000 students.

More than 70 percent of the schools have been recognized as Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education. Standardized test scores demonstrate that students in Catholic schools within the Diocese score well above national averages. Last year, graduates were offered more than $92 million dollars in scholarships.

The diocesan Office of Catholic Schools will host a job fair in search of up to 150 teachers on Saturday, March 7, 2020, from 9 to 11 a.m. The fair will take place at Paul VI High School, 10675 Fairfax Blvd., Fairfax, Va. Admission is free. For more information, contact Mallory Sigmon in the Office of Catholic Schools at 703-841-2519 or visit https://www.arlingtondiocese.org/Catholic-Schools/Catholic-Schools-Office/.

For more information on schools in the Catholic Diocese of Arlington, click here.

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The Catholic Diocese of Arlington was established on August 13, 1974, and is home to 70 parishes and more than 460,000 Catholics. There are currently 276 priests serving in the Diocese and 49 seminarians discerning a priestly vocation. The Diocese has 37 parish (K-8) schools, four diocesan high schools, four independent Catholic schools and five free-standing (not connected with a parish school) pre-schools, serving more than 17,000 students.

Geographically, the Diocese includes the seven cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Fredericksburg, Manassas, Manassas Park, and Winchester and the 21 counties of Arlington, Clarke, Culpeper, Fairfax, Fauquier, Frederick, King George, Lancaster, Loudoun, Madison, Northumberland, Orange, Page, Prince William, Rappahannock, Richmond, Shenandoah, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Warren and Westmoreland.