STRATEGIC PLAN 2023-2028

Mission and Catholic Identity

The Church’s teaching mission includes inviting young people to a relationship with Jesus Christ or deepening an existing relationship with Jesus, inserting young people into the life of the Church, and assisting young people to see and understand the role of faith in one’s daily life and in the larger society. “This unique Catholic identity makes our Catholic elementary and secondary schools ‘schools for the human person’ and allows them to fill a critical role in the future life of our Church, our country and our world”(The Catholic School on the Threshold of the Third Millennium, 1997). The following standards address Catholic identity and culture as vital to the mission of Catholic schools in the United States. – NCEA NSBECS 2020

GOAL 1 | Mission and Catholic Identity
All schools will employ the “The Defining Characteristics of Catholic Schools” as presented in the National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools (NSBECS).

KEY STRATEGY CI | 1.1
The Catholic Schools Office will assist schools and board committees in implementing a self-assessmeny using the NSBECS.
 

KEY STRATEGY CI | 1.2
The Catholic Schools Office will ensure diocesan, and school mission statements are reviewed, clarified, and, if necessary, updated, and the commitment to the mission is renewed annually, including an emphasis on discipleship and improving the Christian community.
 

GOAL 2 | Mission and Catholic Identity

In collaboration with the diocese and parish communities, Catholic schools will intentionally form missionary disciples and evangelizers in
the world.

KEY STRATEGY CI | 2.1
The Catholic Schools Office will facilitate an annual meeting between pastors and administrators to discuss the school's spiritual, catechetical, and evangelical mission and work.

KEY STRATEGY CI | 2.2
The Catholic Schools Office will support administrators and teachers in strengthening their faith leadership in their schools and classrooms.

KEY STRATEGY CI | 2.3
Schools will offer parents and guardians inspiring opportunities for Christ-centered adult faith formation and support their work as the primary educators of their children in the faith.
 

GOAL 3 | Mission and Catholic Identity

Catholic schools will utilize resources authentic to the Catholic faith to intentionally create a vibrant Catholic school culture and disciples of Jesus.

KEY STRATEGY CI | 3.1
All schools in the diocese will use age-appropriate, catechetical resources authentic to the Catholic faith.

KEY STRATEGY CI | 3.2
The teaching of the Catholic faith, with a focus on Jesus Christ, will permeate all academic content areas.

GOAL 4 | Mission and Catholic Identity 

The Catholic Schools Office will identify strategies to encourage and support Latinos and other cultures’ greater participation in the gift of Catholic schools. 
 

KEY STRATEGY CI | 4.2 
The Catholic Schools Office will encourage administrators to educate staff, students and stakeholders to address cultural trends in their communities. 

GOAL 5 | Mission and Catholic Identity 

The Catholic Schools Office will work with administrators and pastors to draw families into the heart of parish life. 

KEY STRATEGY CI | 5.1 
Provide catechesis on the importance of the Mass being the source and summit of the Catholic faith. 

KEY STRATEGY CI | 5.2 
Increase access and decrease barriers to weekend liturgies. 

Governance and Leadership

Central to the mission of the Church is the work of Catholic school education. The success of this mission depends on the key components of effective governance, which provides direction or authority, and leadership, which ensures effective operations. Catholic school governance and leadership can be seen as a ministry that promotes and protects the responsibilities and rights of the school community. Governance and leadership based on the principles and practices of excellence are essential to insuring the Catholic identity, academic excellence, and operational vitality of the school. Although governance models vary based on the sponsorship of the school, those who serve on the governing body or leadership team in Catholic schools provide for an environment for the teaching of doctrine and Sacred Scripture, the building and experiencing of community, the serving of others, and the opportunity for worship. – NCEA NSBECS 2020

GOAL 1 | Governance and Leadership       

Diocesan, parish, and school leadership will work in close cooperation to ensure each school's fidelity to its mission. 
 

KEY STRATEGY GL | 1.1 
Diocesan leadership will continue to define and support the role of diocesan clergy in all Catholic school systems. 

GOAL 2 | Governance and Leadership 

Diocesan leadership will empower and support leadership throughout every level of the Catholic school system. 
 

KEY STRATEGY GL | 2.1 
The Catholic Schools Office will support the development of essential aspects of leadership in Catholic education, including a commitment to the mission of Catholic education and the formation needed to assume the role of faith and instructional leader.