National Catholic Schools Week underway: Catholic Schools Raise the Standards

National Catholic Schools Week is the annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States. During the week, schools and parishes focus on the value Catholic education provides to young people and Catholic education’s contributions to our church, our communities and our nation.

The week builds community awareness of and involvement in Catholic schools throughout the country. During this week, many dioceses and schools encourage parents to take full advantage of the benefits of local Catholic schools by enrolling their children in those schools.

In the Diocese of Corpus Christi, Catholic schools have a full slate of events on tap (click on calendar icon at right to see full list of events). Rene Gonzalez, Superintendent of Schools for the diocese, said Catholic educators in Diocese of Corpus Christi “truly raise the standards of faith, academics and service every day” for children in Catholic schools. They promote a strong Catholic identity and high academic standards, as well as providing them with limitless possibilities to learn, grow, serve and help others, Gonzalez said.

“We thank you for all you do to ensure to our families and the larger community that our schools are truly Catholic–in word, action and deed,” Gonzalez said in a letter to educators. “In addition, we thank you for providing our children and young people with excellent opportunities to learn and live the Catholic faith, as well as a sound, quality academic course of study. Our students encounter the love of Christ and successful educational experiences on a day-to-day basis due to your love for the Catholic Church, your commitment to Catholic school education, and your dedication to the well being and continued formation of all our students.”

The annual observance began Jan. 27 and continues through Feb. 2. Schools typically celebrate National Catholic Schools Week with Masses, open houses and activities for students, families, parishioners and the community at large. Individual dioceses and local Catholic elementary and secondary schools develop and promote their own CSW activities each year.

The Catholic University of America will commemorate Catholic Schools Week during the Mass of St. Thomas Aquinas at 12:10 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29. The Mass will be broadcast live by EWTN and most of the nation’s 7,000 Catholic schools will be able to tune in live.

Often schools will celebrate the parish family on Sunday (this year, Jan. 27); the community on Monday (Jan. 28); students on Tuesday (Jan. 29); and religious and clergy on Thursday (Jan. 31). In addition, schools often set aside time during the week to honor grandparents.

National Appreciation Day falls on the Wednesday of Catholic Schools Week (Jan. 30). On this day in particular, advocates are urged to wear a button showing their support

The theme for Catholic Schools Week 2013 is "Catholic Schools Raise the Standards." Catholic schools are noted for their academic excellence and high moral standards. This year's theme celebrates the constant attention Catholic educators pay to increasing the learning and growth in faith of all students.

The theme follows on the launch of a new initiative, the “National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools,” to ensure consistent high standards at Catholic schools across the country. Catholic educators are also participating in a nationwide education initiative for all schools called the Common Core Catholic Identity Initiative.

This year's logo illustrates a chart of steady growth culminating in the highest achievement of them all, a cross representing the faith that underscores all Catholic education. The logo provides a visual expression of the essence of Catholic education to enhance the week's celebration.

The National Catholic Schools Week celebration became an annual event in 1974. Catholic Schools Week is a joint project of the National Catholic Educational Association, the world’s largest private professional education association, and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the national public policy organization of U.S. bishops.