Catholic Schools

Diocese of Knoxville

of the

2013/2014 ANNUAL REPORT

Faith, Hope and Love

Contents Letter from the Bishop 2

FAITH: Spiritual Formation 3 HOPE: Academic Achievement (9-12) 4 HOPE: Academic Achievement (K-8) 5

HOPE: Trendsetters in Education 6 LOVE: The Communities We Serve 7

FUTURE: Discovery 8 Letter from the Superintendent 9

From the Bishop

The Most Reverend Richard F. Stika

Dear Friends:

I often think when parents enter a Catholic school the first time with the hope of enrolling their child, deep within their hearts they hold the secret desire to see Jesus. To the 3,500 students and their families in our Catholic schools, they know our schools are not just learning environments. They know they are the true benefactors of a special gift where they can encounter the face, hands, and heart of Jesus every day.

Quality Catholic school education is built upon the pillars of faith, knowledge, community, and leadership. I fondly recall my own Catholic school education and how it has shaped and defined my life. I am thankful for the Catholic school educators who give their lives in noble simplicity to teach their students about Jesus and the world.

Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has stated that that to have real meaning and fulfillment in our lives each of us must put on faith, hope, and love.

FAITH Spiritual formation is integral to building the kingdom of God here on Earth so we can be a part of the kingdom of God in heaven. In our Catholic schools, students have consistent and frequent opportunities to learn about and experience the nature of prayer, participate in the sacraments and liturgy, and engage in service and outreach. Christian leadership is practiced by example. How the seeds of spirituality manifest within the individuals remains to be seen. But it is evident by the large number of clergy who attended Catholic school how this formation may lead to religious vocation.

HOPE Through education, we are placing our hope in our youth. The future of our Church and the world will be in the hands of our youth. It is incumbent upon each of us to equip them with the values, skills, and knowledge for an ever-changing global society.

LOVE To be the heart of Jesus is love. Our parishioners, parents, and teachers share Christ’s love through their service, ministry, and support of our Catholic schools. Who we serve and how we bring them together inside, and outside, of the classroom illustrates our love for our “community” and our commitment to do God’s work here on Earth. I am deeply grateful for your support that has allowed the diocese to make a $6 million commitment to education.

Thank you for your continued support of Catholic education and the moral formation we provide. In this report, I am pleased to share with you examples of how your gifts help to prepare our students for college, careers, and leadership roles in our community.

I thank you for your prayers and your gifts. Our work to provide a quality Catholic education would not be possible without your support.

Yours in Christ,

Bishop Richard Stika

If we want it to have real meaning and fulfillment, as you want and as you

deserve, I say to each of you, ‘put on faith,’ and your life will take on a new

flavor, it will have a compass to show you the way; ‘put on hope’ and every one of your days will be enlightened and your

horizon will no longer be dark, but luminous; ‘put on love,’ and your life will

be like a house built on rock, your journey will be joyful, because you will find many friends to journey with you.

- Pope Francis

Dedicated to teaching the mission of the Catholic Church, the Diocese of Knoxville Schools are

faith-centered, academic communities focused on teaching the Good News of the Gospel by

fostering growth spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, and physically, preparing students

to serve in a changing society.

Gospel values and a Christ-centered purpose are the foundation upon which we were built. The religious character of the schools of the Diocese of Knoxville is what sets us apart. All spiritual activities are intended to proclaim Jesus Christ, in light of Catholic Church teaching, for the interior transformation of the student and the renewal of humanity. Teachers exercise the lead role in the religious education of our students in order to foster personal relationships with Jesus Christ and His Body, the Church. Gospel values are incorporated throughout all course work to integrate our Catholic identity throughout the curriculum. The fruit of a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ is recognition of His presence in others and treating them accordingly: “Whatever you did for these least brothers of mine, you did for me” - Matthew 25:40

More than 41,000 hours of community and corporal service completed in 2013 Nurture a global and universal perspective on the dignity of all human life and social justice Active participation in prayer, liturgy, and sacraments Practice Christian leadership by example

I am blessed that my parents made the sacrifice to send me to Catholic schools. Yes, I learned academics,

but more importantly, I learned my faith which guides me in what to do

with that knowledge.

-State Representative Bill Dunn St. Joseph School, 1975

Knoxville Catholic High School, 1979

Put on FAITH

Our schools are committed to delivering a comprehensive and progressive academic program designed to prepare students for college and beyond.

These notable accomplishments give us great hope for our students’ bright future:

Accredited by Tennessee Department of Education and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools through AdvancED Members of National Catholic Education Association Knoxville Catholic High School recognized as a “2014 School of Excellence” by the Catholic Education Honor Roll 12 members of the class of 2014 honored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation 99+ percent of our students are college bound, with members of the Class of 2014 attending Notre Dame, Yale, Stanford, Wake Forest, and other fine institutions $25 million offered in college scholarships 250 graduating seniors of the class of 2014 80 percent enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) coursework High schools offer 28 AP courses Robotics program recognized among the best in the Southeast by US FIRST

Academic Performance—High Schools

Our schools’ rigorous academic standards translate into superior academic achievement. Knoxville Catholic High School and Notre Dame High School continue to exceed the state (and nation) in standardized testing. The ACT college entrance exam scores below reveal the outstanding level of performance.

“ I studied at St. Mary’s for one and a half years in 7th and 8th grade. While these 18 months were not long, they made a lifelong impact on me. I

remember vividly how the faculty at St. Mary’s took me in like a ‘member of the family,’ despite the fact that I spoke not one word of English. This gave

me confidence I needed and helped me find my passion in computer science. If I have been able to make a difference in this world, I have to give

my thanks to St. Mary’s.”

Kai-Fu Lee Touixiang St. Mary’s School, Oak Ridge, 1975 Google China Founding President

Put on HOPE

Academic Performance—Foundation Schools

Our Foundation Schools use the Iowa Assessments in grades 1 through 8 to measure student achievement and growth across a continuum of next-generation learning standards. Iowa Assessments are nationally normed standardized assessments. The chart below indicates our results based on the National Percentile Rank. These scores reveal that our students perform higher than the majority of the schools nationally participating, with the 50th percentile rank being the mean or average.

Life has its ups and downs. Preparing for where life takes you requires healthy doses

of education, friendships, and faith. My experiences at Catholic schools helped me

understand the importance of: learning—it’s a continuing process; friendships—treating everyone with respect is invaluable; and faith—God

is truth and following Christian principles will always lead you in the

right direction.

-Mike St. Charles, Attorney at Law St. Jude, 1971

Notre Dame High School, 1974

Second-graders in the Catholic schools of the Diocese of Knoxville scored

above 80 percent of the nation in social studies. Our early elementary students

continue to outpace the country in every academic category of the Iowa

Assessments.

Third-graders—the first year students take the test timed and without the

assistance of a teacher reading questions—performed better than 73 percent of the nation in science. Our

fifth-graders tested above 79 percent of the nation in English.

Eighth-graders tested in the top third of the U.S. in all categories—

performing better than 71 percent of the nation in math and impressive 88

percent in English! Scores in our middle schools reveal they are well-prepared to transition to the challenging curriculum

of our diocesan high schools.

Trendsetters

Learning in innovative , progressive environments, our students benefit from current educational research and best practices. New learning experiences and instructional resources are embraced to be on the “cutting edge” of academic excellence.

A complex problem has found a simple solution at Knoxville Catholic High School. How do you inspire students to want to read? Ben Wilkinson, English IV teacher, has the answer...students want to read when they get to choose their own books! Wilkinson launched an independent reading program, modeled after “Book Love” by Penny Kittle. Student surveys, along with tripled library circulation, indicate that the program is a great success. The program recently received a boost with the addition of 1,000 books—a result of grants from the Book Love Foundation and Friends of the Knox County Public Library.

St. Mary’s School in Johnson City has taken the classroom outdoors! Their Healthy Foods Initiative literally has its roots in the building, planting and maintenance of our school garden beds. Parents, students and volunteers joined together to create this soon-to-be staple in our cafeteria. Lunches will include fresh salads, sauces and side dishes made from vegetables grown in the school gardens.

Sacred Heart Cathedral School is proud of eighth-grader Walker Smith, the youngest intern in ORNL’s history. He landed an internship working with Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility (OLCF) researcher Hai Ah Nam by being one of 10 winners in an essay contest. His essay was adapted from the research he did for the Southern Appalachian Science and Engineering Fair (SASEF). “At SASEF, I tested three methods for gathering solar energy,” says Smith. “Using that research, I proposed a method for making photovoltaic cells more efficient.” This summer, Walker turned his attention from solar energy to programming in Java. In a talk he gave to OLCF staff and researchers, he explained that non-traditional education tools for programming, such as Khan Academy and Code Spells, could become part of school curricula as early as middle school.

My formative years spent at Sacred Heart School have proven to be the gift that kept on giving...not only in terms of the benefits of a

quality education and cherished lifelong memories, but in terms of the foundation laid and emphasis placed on embracing and living my Catholic faith and all that it represents.

That holistic educational experience is truly and absolutely priceless!

-Suzanne Shriver, Sr. VP JP Morgan Sacred Heart Cathedral School,1972 Knoxville Catholic High School, 1976

The world is a classroom...St. John Neumann Catholic School has found much success inviting professionals to speak to students. From authors to ecologists, guest presenters open a door to life beyond school for these young minds. Last year, students at St. John Neumann received a visit from a special guest, children's book author Janet Greer. Mrs. Greer read her book “When You Hear a Siren” to the students. The author not only read her book to the students but also shared what inspired her to write the book, answered student questions, and signed copies of the book for the students to take home. This event took place during “Community Helpers Week.”

4

The Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Knoxville, recognizing the vital ministry of

Catholic education to the future of the Church and our nation, will provide a learning environment that emphasizes quality education and spiritual growth for all.

Who we Serve

Our students are the reason for our existence. The geographic and cultural differences across our region create rich and vibrant environments for our students to grow and flourish.

Total Students: 3,435 85% Catholic Elementary enrollment: 2,386 High School enrollment: 1,049

Faculty and Staff: 339 72% Catholic 94% Lay; 6% Religious 54% hold advanced degrees 6 Seeking advanced degrees in Catholic Leadership

We are blessed with an engaged school community made up of parents, alumni, parishioners, faculty, and friends. In 2013/2014, more than $3.5 million was contributed to direct supplemental tuition support.

Put on LOVE

Student Ethnic Profile

My days at Knoxville Catholic were a special—very joyous—time in my life. The Sisters of Mercy were

wonderful, dedicated teachers. They taught me how to live a faithful life. I

will always remember my time at KCHS as a first-class learning

experience, one that prepared me well for the University of Notre

Dame, the UT College of Law, and my professional and judicial career

that was to follow.

-Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr. St. Mary’s, 1950

Knoxville Catholic High School, 1954

Tapping into talents and promoting leadership are key tenets to our school philosophy.

Individual gifts are nurtured and developed in learning environments permeated by God’s love.

Co-curricular activities help identify interests, skills, and ambitions while offering students the

opportunity to collaborate and lead.

Nurturing Growth

Developing the whole student in mind, body, and spirit, requires engagement beyond the classroom. Whether a student is an athlete, an artist, or an academic...the Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Knoxville have something to offer each child.

Notre Dame provided me with a high-quality education which

promoted academic excellence, spiritual growth and Christian

fellowship that extended beyond the classroom. I truly began a lifelong

enjoyment of volunteering and developed a true appreciation of

service to others. I feel very blessed to have graduated from such a

wonderful high school with such a nurturing and Catholic community.

-Kari Klem Hudson, Optometrist Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 1983

Notre Dame High School, 1987

Two-thirds of the students at Knoxville Catholic High School participate in one or more of the 20 school-sponsored sports, with 13 athletes from the Class of 2014 signing college commitments. More than 90 percent of KCHS students are involved in at least one the school’s 28 extracurricular activities and clubs, including the award-winning robotics (pictured left), Model United Nations, Scholar’s Bowl, choral, and band programs.

Notre Dame High School offers 16 varsity

sports. Seventy-five percent of our students are

involved in at least one sport. The average GPA

for Notre Dame student-athletes is an impressive

3.5. The school is blessed with champions in the

classroom and on the field, including the

2013/2014 boys golf team (left). As both district

and region champs they qualified for a coveted

spot in the state tournament.

Our eight elementary schools build a solid

foundation for exploring interests and

discovering gifts! Each school provides a wealth

of opportunity outside the classroom to tap into

talents and nurture the growth necessary to

develop the whole child. St. Jude School,

Chattanooga, is proud of its 2013/2014 scholar

athletes, including the girls varsity cross country

team—second-place finishers in a multi-state

region tournament.

I reflect with gratitude on how my Catholic education contributed to my formation as a disciple of Jesus Christ and son of the Church. The impact of this gift continues to be a blessing in

my life and ministry today.

-Most Reverend James Vann Johnston, Jr. Bishop of Springfield-Cape Girardeau

St. Joseph School, 1973 Knoxville Catholic High School, 1977

Dear Friends:

Our Catholic schools continue to honor the tradition of excellence in providing our families with strong academic programs within faith-filled environments. Pope Francis encourages us to put on faith, hope and love for a fulfilling life. Our faith provides our focus, our hope encourages us to do God’s work, and our love gives us joy on our journey. Sacred Scripture tells us the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:13). The pictures and highlights

featured in this annual report vividly illustrate the great love we have in our Catholic school communities.

We have established a tradition of creating leaders within our local and global communities. From leaders in our Church to civic and government leaders to lay leaders within our parishes and families, our schools have faithfully prepared future leaders to work and serve in our world. Throughout this Annual Report, some of these community leaders who began their journey at our Catholic schools in our diocese have shared the lasting impact this experience has had on their lives. As the leader of our Catholic schools, I am pleased to see that this tradition of forming leaders continues. Thank you for your continued support of our Catholic school mission as we work, serve and develop our leaders for tomorrow!

Because of Jesus,

Sister Mary Marta Abbott, RSM

FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

Sister Mary Marta Abbott, RSM, EdS

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations...Teach them to carry out everything I have

commanded you. And know that I am with you always, until the end of the world.

-Matthew 28:19-20