Catholic Schools A N E D U C AT I O N Y O U C A N H AV E F A I T H I N
Archdiocese of Milwaukee 2015 - 2016 Annual Report
Catholic school students regularly attend Mass together.
Contents 04
Centered in Christ
07
Evangelization
10
Distinguished by Excellence
15
Education Doesn’t End in the Classroom
18
Steeped in a Catholic Worldview
21
Sustained by Gospel Witness
24
Shaped by Communion and Community
27
Accessible to All Students
30
Rooted in History and Catholic Identity
31
Catholic Schools Statistics
33
Centered in Christ Catholic education is centered in Jesus Christ and rooted in the Gospel. In light of Christ’s instruction, “Love one another as I have loved you,” our Catholic schools focus on more than academics. They concentrate on forming all aspects of students’ lives, including their relationships with their families and classmates, with the local and global community, and, especially, with Jesus Christ. Students are impelled to embrace a Gospel-driven lifestyle of service, sacrifice and respect. It is this emphasis on teaching the whole student – mind, body and spirit – that sets our schools apart and lays the foundation for all students to become the complete and holy persons God intends them to be.
Many schools in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee have been remarkable examples of Christ-centered student development, including St. Monica School in Whitefish Bay, which has implemented a Discipleship Development Program, and St. Thomas More High School in Milwaukee, which has developed a Servant Leadership Program. 4
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MILWAUKEE
BEGAN 175 YEARS AGO
It is our emphasis on Christ-centered student development that sets our schools apart.
Students take an active role in parish life.
Evangelization In teaching the learners of today and the
the Catholic community, such as at Eden’s
leaders of tomorrow, Catholic schools play
Shepherd of the Hills School, where 5
a vital role in spreading the mission of
students and 3 parents of students were
the Church. As communities where faith,
baptized during the 2015-16 academic
culture and daily life are harmoniously
year. Catholic school students are also
integrated, Catholic schools welcome
more likely to join religious orders*, enter
students who are not Catholic and are
the seminary, or otherwise become
committed to enthusiastically sharing the
actively involved in Church leadership
traditions and teachings of Catholicism
than students who do not attend Catholic
with all.
schools. Milwaukee’s St. Anthony School and Catholic East Elementary School have
In the Catholic schools of the Archdiocese
been particularly strong in their efforts to
of Milwaukee, non-Catholics comprise
promote religious vocations among their
18 percent of the total archdiocesan
students.
elementary and secondary school enrollment. In many cases, non-Catholic
*Source: CARA report
students have chosen to become part of
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We welcome non-Catholics into our schools and our spiritual community.
Students of all faiths participate in spiritual activities. (St. Sebastian Parish and School, Milwaukee)
Distinguished by Excellence Academic excellence is a major hallmark
Educating the Whole Student, Mission
of a Catholic school. This tradition of
and Catholic Identity, or Technology
intellectual formation and scholarship
Integration. For 2015-16, three schools
dates back centuries. For more than 170
won Academic Excellence awards: St.
years, Catholic schools in the Archdiocese
Robert in Shorewood; St. John Vianney in
of Milwaukee have been known for their
Brookfield, and St. Eugene in Fox Point.
high academic quality. This tradition of excellence continues to be manifested in
Students from the Archdiocese
the standardized test scores and post-
of Milwaukee are also typically
graduate success of today’s Catholic
well represented in the Herb Kohl
school students, 97 percent of whom go
Foundation Awards, a grant program
on to college. These outcomes are no
that encompasses the entire state. This
accident. Catholic school leaders and
year, four of our students won Student
teachers are steadfast in their efforts to
Excellence Scholarships: Maureen Burke
meet the learning needs of all students
of Waukesha Catholic Memorial, Brian
and ensure their success.
Coe and Madeline Shea of St. Catherine School in Racine and Luke Holzman of St.
Biannually, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee
Mary’s Springs Academy in Fond du Lac.
highlights its commitment to excellence
Candelario Tellez of St. Catherine School
through its Exemplary Recognition
in Racine received a Student Initiative
Program. Based on guidelines from the
Scholarship. Additionally, two principals
National Standards and Benchmarks
won Excellence in School Leadership
for Effective Catholic Schools, these
Awards: Mr. Jeff Monday of Marquette
awards honor schools that apply and
University High School and Mrs. Donna
merit recognition in: Academic Excellence,
Schmidt of Messmer St. Rose and St Mary.
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Students are academically prepared for their future.
Every student can succeed in a Catholic school.
Over 97 percent of Catholic school students go on to college.
Catholic school students learn to give back to the community.
Education Doesn’t End in the Classroom Catholic school education is rooted
Our Catholic schools have also invested
in the conviction that human beings
in professional development programs
have a transcendent destiny and that
designed to help teachers and staff meet
education should be about the whole
students’ needs in all aspects of their lives.
person. Therefore, Catholic schools
Through the Greater Milwaukee Catholic
form the spiritual, intellectual, physical,
Education Consortium (GMCEC), we have
psychological, social, moral, aesthetic
been able to offer seminars and workshops
and religious aspects of each student. To
sponsored by area Catholic colleges and
accomplish this, the Catholic schools of the
universities on such topics as trauma
Archdiocese of Milwaukee have developed
response, early childhood education,
a wide variety of co-curricular, faith-
special education, English language
formation and service/ministry initiatives at
learning and technology integration for
both the elementary and secondary
Catholic school personnel.
school levels.
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Our schools educate the whole person.
The arts are important in Catholic education.
Steeped in a Catholic Worldview Catholic education aims at the
example of this. Rather than teaching
organizations, such as the Tablesetters
formation of the complete person. This
the four disciplines (science, technology,
Catholic School Teaching Program at
includes preparation for professional
engineering and mathematics) as
St. Francis Borgia in Cedarburg, as well
life, development of ethical and social
separate and discrete subjects, our STEM
as the St. Hyancinth Food Pantry and
awareness, and religious formation. Every
programs integrate them into a cohesive
the House of Peace student mission
aspect of a Catholic school spurs students
learning paradigm based on real-world
program at Pius XI Catholic High School.
to grow in the discipline to become a
applications and grounded in Catholic
Additionally, there are three International
self-learner, the ability to recognize moral
social teachings. By presenting the subject
Baccalaureate schools in the Archdiocese
behavior and the responsibility to transform
matter in this way, we give students the
of Milwaukee: Catholic Memorial High
the world with Gospel values. A Catholic
skills to understand global issues, such
School, St. Joan Antida High School and
school teaches students to view both
as environmental impact and medical
Wauwatosa Catholic. In all of our schools,
secular and religious topics from a Catholic
research, and respond in ways that reflect
the curriculum focuses on helping students
perspective.
a Catholic worldview.
develop the intellectual and emotional skills necessary to thrive in a global
The STEM curriculum in the schools of the
We also encourage the cultivation of a
Archdiocese of Milwaukee is a relevant
Catholic worldview through student service
community.
APPROXIMATELY
150 NEW TEACHERS WERE HIRED IN 2016
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Curriculum focuses on helping students develop the skills necessary for success in a global community.
Teachers are role models of faith for their students.
Sustained by Gospel Witness Catholic schools recruit teachers who
Literacy Day for all teachers, as well as
are practicing Catholics, who understand
regular curricular update sessions, most
and accept the teachings of the Catholic
recently in English / Language Arts
Church and the moral demands of the
and the revised Science and Family Life
Gospel and who can contribute to the
curriculum. Learning Support Teams and
school’s Catholic identity and apostolic
Early Childhood programs, sponsored
goals, including its commitment to social
in collaboration with the GMCEC,
justice and evangelization.
guide teachers in their efforts to assist students in their personal goals and
The Archdiocese of Milwaukee fosters its
overall development. Other innovative
teachers’ faith through the Sustaining the
programs, grounded in our commitment
Mission religious education certification
to expand the personal and professional
program provided through the Saint Clare
capacity of both students and teachers,
Center at Cardinal Stritch University. Every
include the Discovery Project, online
year, more than 2,000 of our elementary
and face-to-face blended courses for
and secondary school educators are
high achieving eighth graders, and the
formed in the faith through the systematic,
Future Leaders Seminar, sponsored by
coherent curriculum of this program,
the Institute for Catholic Leadership at
which is delivered during scheduled
Marquette University, aimed at developing
teacher in-service days. Other professional
the interests and skills of potential future
development programs include an annual
leaders for our Catholic schools.
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“The first duty of a teacher is to form Christians ... Society needs people of virtue more than people of learning.� Blessed Basil Moreau, C.S.C.
Students are formed to be leaders in society.
Shaped by Communion and Community Catholic education puts an emphasis on the school as a community: a community of faith, a community of learning, and a community of care. Catholic schools do everything possible to promote trust and collaboration among teachers and parents, always mindful that parents are the primary educators of their children.
Our schools are also actively engaged with their parishes. In fact, 70 of the Milwaukee Archdiocese’s 94 elementary schools have a 1:1 relationship with a single parish, while the other 24 elementary schools and the 15 high schools develop relationships with local parishes in varied ways. Parish life is integral to our Catholic schools, and Catholic schools are integral to our parishes. Every parish, regardless of whether a Catholic school is on-site or not, has a commitment to Catholic education. Archbishop Listecki has emphasized that every parish has a Catholic school.
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70
OF THE
94
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS HAVE A 1:1 RELATIONSHIP WITH A SINGLE PARISH
The end-goal is to build up a community of excellence in faith, learning and care.
Students from all backgrounds are invited to receive a quality Catholic school education.
Accessible to All Students Given their mission of evangelization, Catholic
and financial need. Similar programs exist
schools make themselves available to all
throughout the archdiocese. As a system-wide
people who want a quality Catholic school
fundraiser for tuition support, the archdiocese
education for their children. Working within
conducts the Soles for Catholic Education
the broader Catholic and civic communities,
Walk every year. Held at Mount Mary University,
Catholic schools maximize their use of available
it brings together students, families and
resources and find innovative options to make
community members for a two-mile fundraising
Catholic education accessible and affordable
walk, with all proceeds going toward individual
for all students.
school initiatives and tuition assistance.
In the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, this access is
Almost half of our Catholic elementary schools
achieved through a variety of scholarships and
and almost all of our high schools participate in
initiatives. The St. Gerard Scholarship program,
one or more of the Parental Choice programs
offered at select schools on Milwaukee’s
available in the state of Wisconsin. These
south side, is one example. Criteria for this
programs provide tuition vouchers for parents
scholarship include Catholic values, academic
who apply and are eligible for this form of
performance, service to parish and community
tuition assistance.
27 *Based on data collected as of June 30, 2015 from self-reporting parishes operating a non-consolidated elementary school.
Catholic schools are communities of faith, learning and care.
Catholic schools make themselves available to all who want a Catholic school education for their children.
Rooted in History and Catholic Identity Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki oversees
Each year, the elementary schools of the
the Archdiocese of Milwaukee’s 92
Archdiocese of Milwaukee participate
elementary schools and 15 high schools,
in a review process to ensure continued
ensuring that each offers a program
strength in academics and faith and are
of rigorous academics and a broad-
accredited by the Wisconsin Religious
based, multi-faceted education steeped
and Independent Schools Accreditation
in Catholic values. Actively putting into
Association and the Archdiocese of
practice his vision of making Catholic
Milwaukee. This rigorous accreditation
education sustainable, affordable and
process is based on the National Standards
accessible, the archbishop dynamically and
and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic
regularly promotes our Catholic schools.
Elementary and Secondary Schools.
Under Archbishop Listecki’s leadership, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee’s system of schools has flourished and grown. The recently-founded Seton Catholic Schools, comprised of 26 Milwaukee County schools, is a network aimed at strengthening the academic excellence, evangelization, and organizational efficiencies of its member schools. A similar school network is being developed for the Catholic schools in Racine.
“Our Catholic schools teach young people how to live the Gospel through their actions, not just their words. These students are not only our next generations of Catholic disciples, but will also become active citizens, business men and women, and leaders in our communities. They will fill our pews and be the example of faith, knowledge and service to others.” Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki
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Life. Lessons.
3501 S. Lake Drive PO Box 070912 Milwaukee, WI 53207 archmil.org 32