Modern-day barn-raising

In light of the Holy Father's visit to a Catholic school in Harlem this week, our superintendent shared an inspiring article with principals that reflects on the resurgence of Catholic schools.  In Catholic Schools Are Back, and There's Hope For Their Future, the author, Andy Smarick, reports that less than a decade following massive Catholic school closings in urban areas, Catholic education is once again on the rise.

The turnaround factor that he points to is a recent trend toward innovation in both instruction and financing.  The world is changing, the needs of our graduates are changing, cost structures are changing.  Catholic schools that are thriving are the ones that are responding to new needs with new ideas  - and are doing it within a context that preserves all that is good about Catholic education.  I read this as a combination of innovation and tradition.  'Sound familiar?

Though St. Robert is not an urban school in the sense of this report, the story of innovation is our story as well.  Furthermore, it's no longer only parents and educators that will write the next chapter. Our authors will necessarily include a village.  Smarick points to faith leaders, entrepreneurs, university experts, and philanthropists as critical members of the team.    

We are blessed in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee to have well-established collaborative best practice teams that include diverse members outside our own system.  St. Robert has benefitted immensely from our participation on several of those visionary teams.  At a higher level, a partnership with Notre Dame's Alliance for Catholic Education and a team of educators, philanthropists and business executives has led to a new design for consolidation of our urban Choice schools.   The first cohort of the new Seton Schools is ready to roll out this year.  The comprehensive plan is for a system of urban Choice schools with common data-driven curriculum and instruction, a consolidated governance and management structure, and guaranteed standards of excellence.

We are told by our superintendent that although there is no single template for viability, iterations of this conceptual design for strength by consolidation are expected to largely replace our current more vulnerable parish school models within the not-so-distant future.  Fond du Lac, Kenosha, and Racine are well on their way.  Plans for Milwaukee have been launched.  Suburban districts are entering the conversation.

The story of innovation is bigger than us, because Catholic schools are critical to the success of entire communities, not just individual graduates.  History has shown that where Catholic schools close, the surrounding community falls into decline.  

I extend my most humble gratitude to our faculty and leadership boards for working side-by-side with me on creating innovative and visionary models for a viable future.   Know that your work will reach far beyond your own children.

Read more at: http://www.nationalreview.com/article/424409/catholic-schools-are-back