Archdiocese Chicago Catholic Schools - faith, focus, and achievment

In Focus Blog

  1. To Teach Who Christ Is

    Thursday, June 13, 2013

    By Sr. Mary Paul McCaughey, OP

    Last Wednesday, Cardinal George announced a major fund-raising effort for Catholic education and faith formation in the Archdiocese of Chicago – the $350 million To Teach Who Christ Is Campaign. The Campaign has been structured to create significant financial support to Archdiocesan Catholic schools, religious education for children and teens, adult faith formation and capital needs for parishes and schools.

  2. A Voice to Our Parents' Choice

    Wednesday, March 27, 2013

    By Sr. Mary Paul McCaughey, OP

    We commend the Chicago Tribune’s recent editorial series for unpacking the major issues facing public education in the City. Regretfully, however, only one sentence in all three pieces alluded to the tens of thousands of Chicago families who choose a non-public option for their children. Our Catholic schools alone serve over 42,000 children in the city whose families make their choice for a variety of reasons - academic rigor, safety, sense of community, faith and values. Their children are as much part of the Chicago educational landscape as any other child. What follows is an addendum to the series that gives a voice to their choice.

  3. Leaders for our Children

    Monday, March 25, 2013

    By Sr. Mary Paul McCaughey, OP

    A March 20 Chicago Sun Times Op-Ed by Sean Kennedy titled "Children Need Leaders to Save Catholic Schools" begins and ends with a strong premise: Catholic Schools can not only be "saved," they can thrive with leadership and vision. No argument there ‑ ever.

  4. Introducing the 2013-2016 Strategic Plan for Catholic Schools

    Thursday, March 21, 2013

    By Ryan Blackburn

    After months of intense study and analysis, the Archdiocese of Chicago Board of Catholic Schools is pleased to present its Strategic Plan for Catholic Schools for 2013-2016. Its overall goal is to increase Catholic school enrollment and provide every student desiring Catholic education with excellent academics and strong faith formation in an economically sustainable way.

  5. Appreciating Principals and presidents!

    Thursday, November 15, 2012

    By Ryan Blackburn

    The Thursday before Thanksgiving is Principal Appreciation Day.  As we prepare to give thanks and reflect on all our blessings of the past year, please take a moment to join us in showing appreciation for the work of all our school principals, presidents, and other administrators.

  6. Leading the Nation in Blue Ribbon Awards

    Monday, November 12, 2012

    By Ryan Blackburn

    U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will honor the nation’s 269 Blue Ribbon Schools for 2012 at a recognition ceremony on November 13 in Washington, DC.

  7. ACT Scores Rise in Every Category, Continue Outpacing State and Nation

    Friday, August 31, 2012

    By Ryan Blackburn

    We are pleased to announce that the average for the 5,953 Catholic high school students who took the ACT test in 2012 showed gains in every testing area, and in the composite score. The average composite score for Catholic high school students in the Archdiocese is 22.9, which is a 0.2 point improvement over our students' performance last year, and 2.0 points above the State of Illinois’ average. All scores continue to be above the average for the State of Illinois and the Nation. On the English section, students scored 3.1 points ahead of the State average, with 84% demonstrating college-readiness in that subject. In the Science section, Catholic high school students scored an average of 22.3, a 0.1 point improvement over last year, and 1.5 points above the State average.

  8. 82% of 8th Graders at or above National Average on EXPLORE® Test

    Wednesday, February 01, 2012

    By Ryan Blackburn

    For the first time this past Fall, the EXPLORE Test was administered to eighth graders on an Archdiocesan-wide level. EXPLORE is the first test on the track provided by ACT to assess College and Career-Readiness. More than 5,300 Catholic school eighth graders took the test and their combined results show that 82 achieved a composite test score at or above the national average. They also significantly exceeded the national average on each testing component.

  9. Leadership Academy Launches

    Friday, January 27, 2012

    By Ryan Blackburn

    The ministry of leadership in the Catholic schools of the Archdiocese of Chicago is unique. It is a call to be the faith leader, the instructional leader, and the steward of the school's vitality.

  10. Early Childhood Education - The Catholic School Difference

    Wednesday, January 25, 2012

    By Julie Ramski

    Research clearly shows that children who attend preschool are more likely to succeed in kindergarten, and that participating in early childhood education provides academic and social benefits that last well beyond the early years.

  11. Welcome to the In Focus Blog

    Wednesday, January 25, 2012

    By Ryan Blackburn

    Welcome to our In Focus Blog, where we will post news, views, and opinions on faith, focus, and achievement in the Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools.