Rising Challenge

Catholic Schoolsa n n ua l r e p o rt

2008–09

to the

c at h o l i c di o c e s eof w i l m i n gto n

Long before my installation as bishop of the Diocese of Wilming-ton in September 2008, I was well aware of the strength and vitality

of our Catholic schools. Now, after having visited each of our schools, I can say with confidence that we can be proud of the outstanding academic achievements taking place in these faith-filled environments.

Catholic schools are making a difference in the lives of the families they serve, chal-lenging inquisitive minds and ensuring parents that their children are developing a greater appreciation for the values they hold most important. Our schools have many great stories to tell. Through this report, the first of its kind for the Catholic Schools Office, we begin telling some of those stories.

With each year, we elevate our expectations, both for our students and for the profes-sionals who work with them every day. And this year, we have seen the positive outcomes of those elevated expectations, in the form of improved scores on standardized tests and in the development of programs to strengthen our excellent corps of teachers.

The education ministry must rank among the highest priorities for our diocese. A thriv-ing system of Catholic education will not only provide a new generation of leaders for our church but it will also infuse our community with compassionate, thoughtful citizens who are respectful of the lives and the rights of all those who surround them.

It is my fervent hope that all who read this report recognize our commitment to maintain-ing and strengthening a school system whose graduates will make meaningful contributions to our Church and our society for many years to come.

Most Reverend W. Francis MaloolyBishop of Wilmington

From the BishopDiocesan Board of Catholic SchoolsBrenda BurnsPaul CapanoAngela CaseMartin DesmondArline DosmanMichael FlanaganVy. Rev. Steven B.

Giuliano, V.F.Robert HaymanElizabeth Kelleher Donna JanickiKevin McIntyreRobert McMullenDavid Mauk James NemethDouglas SalterDarryl SimmsLinda SommermannRobert Willard

e x of f i c i oEdmund Gordon Director of Religious EducationCatherine P. Weaver Superintendent

Catholic Schools OfficeCatherine P. Weaver Superintendent Cindy Hayes-Mann Assistant SuperintendentDr. Louis P. DeAngelo Assistant SuperintendentMary Filippone Personnel CoordinatorBarbara Moore Technology CoordinatorJoann Corradin Administrative AssistantAustin Snow Transportation Coordinator

Catholic IdentitySponsoring programs for staff on faith formation Î

and development.Emphasizing faith in all communications. Î

Working with the Office of Religious Education to Î

offer catechetical certification and implement a new curriculum guide.

Academic ExcellenceInitiating a mentoring program for new teachers. Î

Conducting professional development programs Î

focused on the latest research and featuring speakers with national reputations.Establishing subject-area curriculum commit- Î

tees to review and update standards, and short-ening the review cycle from seven years to five.

StewardshipPublishing a vision statement for diocesan Î

schools.Establishing a Strategic Planning Committee Î

at each school.Establishing a set of benchmarks for school Î

sustainability and a financial data report to be shared with parish and school leaders.Encouraging initiatives to build tuition Î

assistance dollars, including the Vision for the Future Capital Campaign and the annual Share in the Spirit collection.

ServiceInitiating eight new early childhood programs. Î

Expanding or initiating programs for before- Î

and after-school care and summer school.Reaching out to those members of the Î

community who might be better served by Catholic education.

These initiatives demonstrate the unwavering commit-ment of the Catholic Schools Office to ensure that all of the nearly 12,000 students enrolled in our schools reap the benefits of the strongest faith-based academic programs that our resources allow.

Our mission and goal are clear: to educate and form students in the light of Jesus Christ.

While our schools face the challenges of a transi-tional economy and demographic shifts, we remain committed to ensuring that Catholic schools continue to serve our community with the fidelity, passion and commitment to learning that have always been our hallmarks.

Catherine P. WeaverSuperintendent of Schools

In the fall of 2007, this office issued a strategic plan for the future of Catholic schools in the diocese. Our plan focused on four key themes: Catholic identity, academic

excellence, stewardship and service. In this report, we describe the progress we have made, especially in academic achievement, address the sustainability of our schools, and offer a glimpse at our future. Throughout the year, we have taken specific steps to emphasize the importance of each theme. For example:

Superintendent’s Message

For more than 170 years, the Catholic schools of the Diocese of Wilmington have carried out their

essential mission: to educate and form students in the light of Jesus Christ. We accomplish this mission by honoring individual dignity and by encouraging stu-dents to grow in the image and likeness of God.

This is a powerful foundation for forming future leaders and community servants — women and men who seek God, who follow Jesus, and who are totally dedicated to serving others.

In government, in business, in community service and in the arts, graduates of our schools have succeeded and achieved prominence for many years, and con-tinue to do so today.

Every day, we face a challenge — and an oppor-tunity — to make a real difference in the lives of individuals, families and society. By focusing on the words and the example of Jesus Christ, our Catholic schools provide every teacher, parent and student with

Our Catholic Identity Forming disciples of Christ ... and future leaders

Catholic schools provide every teacher, parent and student with opportunities to become

authentic Christian disciples.

opportunities to become authentic Christian disciples, to serve others as Jesus did.

Catholic schools are unique because they are com-munities of faith, dedicated to spiritual growth, aca-demic excellence and service. Our schools are com-munities of learners, teachers and believers — caring environments in which children are nurtured to be-come happy, productive and successful members of our society.

Schools possess numerous characteristics intrinsic to their success. Values and discipline are consistent with our students’ home environment. Site-based

management frees our schools of cumbersome bureau-cracy. Their small size and neighborhood orientation foster a safe and stable environment. A rigorous cur-riculum emphasizes the importance of positive aca-demic outcomes. Our religious principles and values foster the caring environment that envelops all our students, teachers and staff. Parental involvement, from their insistence on academic quality to their daily participation in school activities, ensures that our stan-dards and values remain consistent with our mission.

While these characteristics distinguish Catholic schools from their public and private counterparts, these distinct systems combine to offer families throughout Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Mary-land an abundance of educational options. The pres-ence of a high-quality, cost-efficient system of Catholic

schools saves the taxpayers of Delaware and Maryland millions of dollars in elementary and secondary educa-tion costs.

The value of a Catholic education cannot be under-estimated. In our inner cities, as well as in our suburban and rural areas, the Diocese of Wilmington continues to provide educational opportunities that not only re-inforce the strong moral values of our Catholic faith but also ensure that our children acquire the essential skills and intellectual discipline required for success in the 21st Century.

Catholic education reinforces

strong moral values.

500

700

900

1100

1300

1500

121110987654321KPreK

Enrollment by grade, 2008-09 Enrollment by region, 2008-09

• New Castle County 77%

• Kent County 6%

• Sussex County 2%

• Maryland 13%

• Pennsylvania/� New Jersey 2%

Academics Rigorous Expectations, Impressive Results

Academic excellence is a hallmark of Catholic elementary and secondary schools in the Diocese

of Wilmington. A closer look at curriculum, instruc-tion and assessment — the “CIA of education” — reveals that the quality Catholic education we offer, coupling a strong academic program with a firm faith foundation in all grades, is designed to prepare students to live in a diverse and changing world.

Catholic schools integrate a demanding academic curriculum based on national and state standards with sound religious teaching. Curriculum guidelines de-fine rigorous expectations in all subject areas. A 21st-Century curriculum focused on solving problems chal-lenges students to think deeply and creatively in a moral and ethical context. Published standards invite parents to partner with teachers to enhance the education of their children.

Daily instruction employs a variety of methodolo-gies, including whole class, flexible grouping, partner learning and individual conferencing, to ad-dress students’ learning needs and preferences. Hands-on science experiments, student-led so-cial studies presentations, conversational skits in world languages and published language arts writings are supported by cocurricular activities

such as Model United Na-tions, instrumental music programs, math league com-petitions, student council and service learning. Rel-evance is key in connecting student learning with the real world.

Standardized and class-room assessments indicate that students in the Catho-lic schools of the Diocese of Wilmington perform well. In all elementary schools the Diocese administers TerraNova, a national standardized assessment tool produced by CTB McGraw-Hill and the most widely-used assessment tool in the nation in pub-lic, private and parochial schools. Results demonstrate that student performance is a minimum of 24 points above the national median score (50th percentile) in

Catholic schools have a clear focus on academic excellence. Teachers and students are collaborators

in investigation, experimentation, study and decision-making.

Reading, Language, Mathematics and Total Score. SAT data confirms a robust academic program in the

Diocese’s secondary schools. Students of all abilities take the SAT. The data demonstrates that the Catholic secondary school averages are above the average scores reported by the College Board for SAT test-takers in Delaware and the nation in Critical Reading, Math-ematics and Writing.

Classroom assessments invite students to provide evidence of learning through traditional tests, proj-ects, and student-generated portfolios. These expe-riences challenge students to engage in real-world problem-solving and the creation of demonstrations

of learning.Catholic education in the Diocese of Wilmington

has a clear focus on academic excellence. Teachers and students are collaborators in investigation, experimen-tation, study and decision-making. These skills moti-vate students to become active partners in their own progress in order to grow in age, grace and wisdom as leaders in the 21st Century.

Achievement in the SAT, 2008

Diocese Delaware Maryland Nation

Achievement in TerraNova, 2008–09

Second Grade Fourth Grade Seventh Grade

Results demonstrate that student performance is a minimum of 24 points

above the national median in Reading, Language, Mathematics and Total Score.

460

470

480

490

500

510

520

530

540

WritingMathCritical Reading0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

MathematicsLanguageReading

National Median

Teachers Motivated and Prepared

In Catholic schools, our teaching staff is a valuable resource. Professional, compe-

tent and dedicated to learning, these generous men and women focus on providing a Catholic education of the highest quality to enrolled stu-dents. Catholic school teachers see their efforts as a labor of love — one that is informed and in-fused with the teachings of the Catholic Church and grounded in the latest research relating to effective teaching and learning. It is also a voca-tion motivated by a desire to be the face of Jesus Christ for the students in their care.

All diocesan teachers participate in Licens-ing and Certification programs offered by the states of Delaware and Maryland. Teachers are required to complete a minimum of 90 hours of professional development every five years. In the past year, professional development op-portunities have been provided to our teachers in content areas as well as on such important topics as differentiated instruction, highly effective instructional strategies and classroom observation. Training oppor-tunities include continuing education, workshops and seminars, in-school programs, diocesan-sponsored programs and attendance at the yearly National Catholic Education Association conference.

Working with the Diocesan Office of Religious Education, Catholic school teachers also maintain a catechetical certification. Yearly training and par-ticipation in a retreat experience is expected of every Catholic school teacher. Catholic school teachers give generously of their own time by serving as sponsors of extracurricular activities and by taking on additional duties to provide a cohesive and caring educational expe-rience for enrolled students and their families. From preschool through high school, teachers creatively enrich the programs avail-able in Catholic schools.

Depending upon experi-ence, teachers in diocesan

Our teachers are not just teaching subjects, they are teaching the whole child. Together, they share and grow in their faith.

Diocesan teachers’ highest academic degree

Bachelor’s 60%

Master’s 34%

Other* 6%

*Business, Administration, Law, Theology

schools earn at least $10,000 less per year than their counterparts in public school. The vocational aspect of their work allows them to see their service as a ministry. They are willing to work for less because they believe that the faith-filled, high-quality education they can offer to our children is worth the sacrifice.

Our teachers are not just teaching subjects, they are teaching the whole child. Together, they share and grow in their faith. They serve as models of Christian adulthood and teach in a safe environment designed for learning. Our teachers are able to work with parents who

support and choose Catholic ed-ucation for their children. They are able to nurture the needs of every child in the classroom.

Teacher retention in our Catholic schools is very high. More than 49 percent of our teachers have served in Catholic schools for more than ten years. This base of solid teaching expe-rience, combined with the high expectations, commitment to faith and a love of students and learning, makes our Catholic schools the excellent schools which they are today.

The New Teacher Mentoring ProgramThe most important factor in provid-ing a quality Catholic education for our children is to staff our schools with highly qualified, skilled and effec-tive teachers.

These teachers must be dedicated to our mission of bringing children into the fullness of our faith within an educational atmosphere filled each and every day with excitement for learning.

In September 2008, the Catholic Schools Office launched a compre-hensive three-year induction program for all teachers new to the profes-sion or to our Diocese. Gone are the days of handing a new teacher the subject manuals, a grade book and a mandate to go forth and teach. The New Teacher Mentoring Program, designed and implemented in part-nership with Delaware’s Department of Education, provides the structure for a close relationship between mas-ter teacher and new teacher which is pivotal in passing on the torch of best practices.

Throughout the first year, the master teachers provide on-site and immediate guidance, helping the new teachers develop effective strategies to meet their students’ individual learning styles and to communicate student progress to parents. In ad-dition to the mentoring, first-year teachers take part in small learning community monthly meetings held in geographically convenient locations.

During the second year, teachers again participate in the learning com-munities, which focus on effective instructional practices and using stu-dent assessments to plan effective lessons and maintain achievement. Throughout the first two years, pro-gram administrators and mentors observe the new teachers and give meaningful feedback.

In the final year, the new teacher works independently to research and compose a personal five-year profes-sional development plan.

Completion of the program quali-fies the teacher to receive a Continu-ing Teaching License from the state of Delaware.

The program’s multiple facets – teaching, monthly meetings and demonstrating best practices – give our new faculty the added confidence of sharing and living their Catholic faith, managing their own classrooms in a positive and constructive man-ner and teaching each child as the precious gift that they are, a creation of God that we have been given to instruct in faith and academic rigor.

*innovation

The Mentoring Program provides the structure for a close relationship between teachers which is pivotal in passing on the torch of best practices.

Finance The Challenge of Affordability

Finances are a reality in the life of Catholic schools. Parishes take on the ministry of edu-

cation as a means of serving families and passing on the faith. While our pastors and principals are wise and careful stewards, education is expensive and the cost of providing a quality Catholic education has in-creased significantly over the last twenty years.

The Catholic Schools Office provides oversight and guidance for diocesan elementary and secondary schools, and its budget includes funding for several programs that benefit the entire diocese — teacher mentoring and student achievement testing, for ex-ample. Funding for individual schools is a parish responsibility.

In the last few years, two new Catholic schools have opened in the Diocese of Wilmington and four have closed. Some of the closures have been due to population shifts and some have been due to chal-lenging finances. In some cases, the closings came as a surprise to the parents and parishioners of the spon-soring parishes. It is our goal to communicate the fi-nancial health and quality of a school to the people who are most closely tied to it.

To meet the challenges of finances and to ensure the continued quality of the education that we offer, Catholic schools have participated in an ambitious pro-gram of strategic planning. Every school now has a local strategic plan which includes goals for both financial stability and academic excellence. Benchmarks for sus-tainability have been published and presented to parish and finance councils as well as Home and School organi-zations. A common template for reporting finances has been proposed.

An ongoing effort, criti-cal in today’s economy, is the commitment to keep Catho-lic education affordable. The diocese offers a program of tuition assistance, which is being enhanced through a capital campaign and the an-nual Share in the Spirit collec-tion. Many parishes supple-ment this effort with tuition

assistance and scholarships of their own. Diocesan and parish aid to needy families exceeded $1 million in the 2008-09 school year.

These challenges do not diminish the importance of the work being carried out in Catholic schools by dedi-cated teachers and principals or the sacrifices made by families to choose a Catholic education. Rather, they point to the ongoing need for Catholic schools in our community, recognition of the value of a Catholic edu-cation and the blessings that are possible when a com-munity of faith is willing to invest in something of value: the education and faith formation of our youth.

$2,000 $4,000 $6,000 $8,000 $10,000 $12,000 $14,000 $16,000 $18,000

Secondary, Independent ($10,475-$18,450)

Elementary, Non-Catholic ($3,240-$7,690)

Secondary, Diocesan ($7,350-$8,580)

Elementary, Non-Parishioner ($3,240-$7,150)

Elementary, Parishioner ($2,470-$4,950)

Tuition range at Catholic schools, 2008–09

Every school now has a local strategic plan which includes goals for both financial stability and academic excellence.

The Future Careful Planning, Courageous Choices

Every day is different. In life, the most certain constant is change.To preserve the tradition of

Catholic education, we cannot simply resolve to stand firm — to merely offer tomorrow the same exceptional educational opportunities we offer today.

We know that we must prepare to make courageous decisions about how Catholic education will look in the future, not only in our existing schools but also in por-tions of the diocese where the need for our services is growing or changing.

To this end, in the past year we have taken numer-ous steps to help us better understand and plan for our future.

We have created a two-part mecha-nism to help parish communities as-sess the relative strength of their school programs. The first is a financial data sheet, to be used at all parish schools, to ensure consistency throughout the dio-cese in evaluating the financial health of our education programs. The second is a written set of benchmarks, designed to measure how well a school is providing a quality Catholic education. These tools will assist each school’s Strategic Plan-ning Committee in carrying out its mission and in com-municating with its school and parish communities.

Within the next year, we will establish one or more pilot groups of parishes to study ways their Catholic school programs might benefit by creatively working together.

Throughout the diocese, we continue to monitor areas for changes in population that may signal a need for expansion or contraction of our educational offer-ings. Similarly, we remain mindful of the needs of the community — immigrant communities, early childhood education, special needs, extended care and summer programs — and will be vigilant in assessing how best to meet them.

In addition, we will continue to strengthen our al-liances with leaders of public and private schools as we explore how we can best contribute to the develop-ment of world-class education in both Delaware and Maryland.

All this is accomplished with the focus on provid-ing Catholic education that is of the highest quality and

encourages students to become well rounded, confi-dent, service-oriented leaders for the future. The com-mitment of the parents, teachers, pastors and princi-pals is always to our students we serve.

As we step into the future, the path may not always be clear, but this much is certain: we will remain true to our central mission: educating and forming students in the light of Jesus Christ.

We remain mindful of the needs of the community

— immigrant communities, early childhood education, special needs, extended care and summer programs — and will be vigilant in assessing how best to meet them.

Primary Secondary Total

Enrollment trends, 2004–08

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

5000

10000

15000

MARYLAND

DELAWARE

Smyrna

Elkton

Dover

Camden

Frederica

Milford

Seaford

Cambridge

Easton

Denton

Chestertown

Laurel

Salisbury

Berlin

Georgetown

Millsboro

Lewes

95

1

1

90

301

896

301

113

13

50

50

2815

8

31

2

25

4

12

26

5

32

1

l e g e n d• Parish School • Diocesan School • Regional School• Independent School

Our SchoolsThe Academy at St Polycarp1. (PreK) Smyrna, DEGood Shepherd School2. (K-8) Perryville, MDHoly Angels School3. (K-8) Newark, DEHoly Cross School4. (PreK-8) Dover, DEImmaculate Conception School5. (K-8) Elkton, MDImmaculate Heart of Mary School6. (PreK-8) Wilmington, DEOur Lady of Fatima School7. (PreK-8) New Castle, DESs. Peter & Paul School 8. (PreK-8) Easton, MD Ss. Peter & Paul High School (9-12) Easton, MDSt. Ann School 9. (PreK-8) Wilmington, DESt. Anthony of Padua School 10. (PreK-8) Wilmington, DESt. Catherine of Siena School11. (PreK-8) Wilmington, DESt. Christopher’s Preschool 12. (PreK) Chester, MDSt. Elizabeth School 13. (PreK-8) Wilmington, DE St. Elizabeth High School (9-12) Wilmington, DESt. Elizabeth Ann Seton Preschool 14. (PreK) Bear, DESt. Francis De Sales School15. (K-8) Salisbury, MDSt. John the Beloved School16. (K-8) Wilmington, DESt. Mary’s Educational Program 17. (PreK) Hockessin, DESt. Mary Magdalen School 18. (PreK-8) Wilmington, DESt. Matthew School 19. (PreK-8) Wilmington, DESt. Paul School 20. (PreK-8) Wilmington, DESt. Peter the Apostle School 21. (PreK-8) New Castle, DESt. Peter Cathedral School 22. (PreK-8) Wilmington, DEPadua Academy 23. (9-12) Wilmington, DESt. Mark’s High School24. (9-12) Wilmington, DESt. Thomas More Preparatory School25. (9-12) Magnolia, DEChrist the Teacher Catholic School26. (PreK-8) Newark, DECorpus Christi School27. (K-8) Wilmington, DEMost Blessed Sacrament Catholic School28. (PreK-8) Berlin, MDPope John Paul 29. II School (PreK-8) Wilmington, DEArchmere Academy 30. (9-12) Claymont, DEThe Benedictine School31. (Ungraded) Ridgely, MDMount Aviat Academy 32. (PreK-8) Childs, MDNativity Preparatory School33. (5-8) Wilmington, DESt. Edmond’s Academy 34. (K-8) Wilmington, DESalesianum School 35. (9-12) Wilmington, DEServiam Academy 36. (5-8) Wilmington, DE

Diocese of Wilmington Catholic Schools Office

1626 N. Union StreetWilmington, DE 19806

Newark

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Greenville

NewportStanton

Christiana

Elsmere

New Castle

Hockessin Claymont

Wilmington

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telephone 302.573.3133 facsimile 302.573.6945 web www.cdow.org