CATHOLIC SCHOOLS around Orange County and the country will celebrate what it means to be educating students not just in reading, writing and math, but in how to make a difference in the world.
Catholic Schools Week, a schedule of events to celebrate what makes Catholic education unique, kicks off on Sunday, Jan. 25–31 at each of the diocese’s 37 schools.
ST. ANGELA MERICI CATHOLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE PICTURED AT CHURCH. PHOTO COURTESY OF ST. ANGELA MERICI CATHOLIC SCHOOL
“We’re excited as we always are each year,” said Dr. Denise Valadez, associate superintendent of curriculum, spirituality and accreditation. “It’s a special week to highlight all the good things that are going on in our Catholic schools, and it’s really something that everyone looks forward to: kids, staff members, parents, community and grandparents. It’s a good opportunity to not only continue to strengthen and build community in our Catholic schools but to celebrate all the great things that are happening in our schools.”
DR. BRAD SNYDER, ASSOCIATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR ORANGE COUNTY CATHOLIC SCHOOLS. PHOTO BY OC CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
Catholic Schools Week is a celebration of Catholic education throughout the country’s 5,852 Catholic schools. Created by the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) in 1974, it always starts on the last Sunday in January. This year is centered around the theme “Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community.”
“I think any chance you get to celebrate success, celebrate community and celebrate your commitment to your faith, you need to take advantage of that,” said Dr. Brad Snyder, associate superintendent of educational programs. “It’s a real time to reconnect with why we do what we do, reconnect all the stakeholders together and then welcome new members to our schools.”
Nationally, Catholic schools have the highest high school graduation rate in the country at 98.7%, which is even higher than what other private religious schools see, according to the NCEA. Nationally, student graduation rates are 87% at public schools. Nationally, Catholic schools also have a significantly higher percentage of high school graduates who go on to a four-year university: 83.7% compared to 60% at other religious schools and 45% at public schools, according to the NCEA.
Based on the Diocese of Orange’s STAR testing data, its schools on average outperform the national average for Catholic schools, noted Dr. Snyder. That academic success reflects what is happening in the classroom. Campuses have implemented strong academic programs as well as learning support programs for students who need additional help, added Dr. Valadez. Because the diocesan schools are part of a system versus a school district each school is given flexibility to train its
teachers and staff based on what aspects they need additional support in, said Dr. Snyder.
DR. DENISE VALADEZ, ASSOCIATE SUPERINTENDENT OF CURRICULUM, SPIRITUALITY AND ACCREDITATION FOR ORANGE COUNTY CATHOLIC SCHOOLS.
Beyond academic best practices, everyone at the schools — principals, teachers and staff — are dedicated to the calling of Catholic education.
“We want to make sure that everyone is in this for the mission,” Dr. Valadez. “We want to make sure that who we hire are mission fit and that our teachers are truly dedicated to their vocation of Catholic school educators. I think that speaks volumes, and that comes across in the classroom.”
The Catholic identity that binds everyone together is what makes the diocesan schools so unique, said Dr. Snyder. Each school has its own charism that is weaved throughout each class, every morning announcement and every interaction, he added.
“It’s what we believe, so we expect to see that infused in all of our schools from the moment students step on campus to the moment they leave — and beyond that,” said Dr. Valadez.
STAFF MEMBERS ARE AT AN OPEN HOUSE AT ST. IRENAEUS CATHOLIC SCHOOL IN 2025. PICTURED: CLAUDIA VAUGHN, STELLA COSTELLO, LILI LOBASSO. PHOTO BY OC CATHOLIC
SCHOOLS
Considering that each school has its own charism, each school brings something different to the table. To embrace that, schools were given flexibility to interpret this year’s theme and devise their own schedule of events that showcases their strengths and diverse communities, said Dr. Snyder.
Each day has a different focus, such as Vocations Awareness Day or Special Persons Day or a day to celebrate teachers. Each school also has its own signature event.
“There’s a sense of pride that is instilled and rekindled during that week,” said Dr. Valadez. “It just reminds them how amazing their Catholic school is. I would say it just kind of fuels that fire and it really ignites that sense of school pride.”
She continued, “It’s just so wonderful to hear them talking about all these great events that are going on throughout the week, being so excited and so amped up for Catholic education.”